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AUSTIN (KXAN) – As rising 911 call volumes and staffing shortages impact many emergency medical service departments, Austin-based ESO is looking to help determine an improved approach to emergency response. published a study using data from seven EMS systems, including:
The emergency and crisis management software company said current EMS systems were designed in the 1970s to respond to trauma on interstate highways. Since then, it has become a tool that not only helps people in times of crisis, but also helps others access healthcare.
“The question is, how do we respond to the community in an evidence-based manner while ensuring a timely response to those who are truly in emergency?” Chief Medical Officer Director Dr. Brent Myers said. In ESO.
In a report published last month, ESO found that up to 10% of calls to EMS are safe to hold, meaning they are not serious or life-threatening. This can help reduce pressure during times of high demand, such as during weather. event.
ESO said the study, which looked at more than 500,000 patient calls, will help emergency departments determine whether calls can be put on hold when resources are low or demand is high. .
“I can imagine the situation. [where], if all goes well – the sun is up and we’re well-staffed – we can send a near-instant response to just about anything. That utopia doesn’t exist in many places,” Myers said.
“My goal is to reduce stress for dispatchers at some point, so that dispatchers who know that they have calls on hold during busy times can have peace of mind that any calls that have to be on hold are really safe to hold,” he said.
