El Cajon will try sending some 911 calls to nurses, not hospitals. Here's how it's gone elsewhere
Several years ago in the nation’s capital, a few hundred people who dialed 911 were not taken to a hospital.
“This is the wave of the future,” said Art Andres, who oversees 911 calls in San Bernardino County. Nurses could save everybody money by reducing first responders’ workload and easing hospital wait times while still connecting people to care they need, he said.
Of the more than 10,000 emergency calls that can come in each month, nurses have so far directed about 350 away from emergency rooms, said Hilton Almond, a former dispatcher and a fire department spokesman. A few people got urgent care, dentist or telehealth appointments, while many others just needed a nurse’s advice, he said.
During the first four years, the county avoided more than 1,000 ambulance trips and more than 6,000 emergency room visits,. That led to saving more than $9.6 million from 2012 through 2016, the report said. Some dispatchers hear, “I pay taxes, you guys have to do this,” said Hricik, in Alexandria. “Their direction from us and our medical director is, ‘Yup, absolutely, send an ambulance.’”Frustrated residents are directed to call a complaint line. The department receives between 10 and 20 complaints a year, spokesman Vito Maggiolo said.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Report of SLC shooting latest ‘swatting’ incident to impact police and 911 resourcesSWAT SENT AFTER 'SWATTING' INCIDENT. Reported shooting in SLC Sunday night ended up being the latest 'swatting' incident to waste police and 911 resources.
Read more »
Lake Keowee 911 calls reveal harrowing struggle between boater and man he saved from drowning, then shotDrew Morgan and Hannah Ayers fell off of his yellow Sea-Doo RXP and were rescued by a boating couple.
Read more »
El Salvador arrests over 9,000 'gang members' in 15 daysPresident Nayib Bukele says 'war against gangs' will continue, a month after he invoked emergency powers to suspend some constitutional rights to crackdown on gangs engaged in drug trafficking and extortion.
Read more »
Alexander: Once again, El Tráfico doesn’t disappointThe Galaxy survives, LAFC rues a controversial call at the end, and MLS’ best rivalry wears out everyone involved.
Read more »