Today’s Positive EMS Relationship

As demonstrated above, positive cooperative relationships with EMS providers are critical. The ingredients for a positive EMS relationship include:

• Excellent clinical care for the patients brought by EMS
• Courtesy, respect, and professionalism shown to EMS providers
• Open beds for EMS patients to avoid off-loading delays
• Recognition for a job well done
• Respectful and professional communications about opportunities for improvement
• Cleaned and returned EMS supplies
• Replacement of disposable equipment and linens
• A reliable system for submitting EMS reports and including them in each patient’s medical record
• Offering EMS educational programs
• Cooperation with community programs (eg, disaster response)

Effective patient care should be provided at the right place and right time with the right equipment and personnel; it also should be provided at the right price and with the appropriate value. That requires cooperation between emergency physicians and EMS leaders. New systems of unscheduled care will require ED leaders to develop programs with EMS and those who pay for those services, including grant funders for these innovative programs.

References

1. Minemyer P. CMS launches new model for paying ambulance crews—even if they don’t transport to the ER. Fierce Healthcare website. Feb. 14, 2019. Accessed April 15, 2019.
2. Burt CW, McCaig LF, Valverde RH. Analysis of ambulance transports and diversions among US EDs. Ann Emerg Med. 2006;47(4):317-326.
3. Diedrich J. Patients in ambulances still being turned away for hospitals even as some cities end the practice. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Mar. 11, 2019. Accessed April 15, 2019.
4. Diedrich J. Diverted into danger. USA Today. Jan. 30, 2019. Accessed April 15, 2019.
5. McCluskey P. A new role for paramedics: treating patients at home. Boston Globe. Aug. 29, 2018. Accessed April 15, 2019.