Nurse Navigation Program: A New Approach to Emergency Care
Introduction to the Program
A new Nurse Navigation Program is changing emergency care in Spokane. The Spokane Fire Department (SFD), Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC), and American Medical Response (AMR) have joined forces. They want to improve how patients get help. This program is all about using nurses to direct calls and offer better care.
What is the Nurse Navigation Program?
The Nurse Navigation Program is a new way to handle emergency calls. When someone calls 911, a nurse will answer. The nurse will talk to the caller and assess the situation. Then, they will decide the best way to help. This could mean sending an ambulance, offering advice, or directing them to other services.
How It Works
1. Assessment: When a call comes in, the nurse will listen carefully. They will ask questions to understand the problem.
2. Decision Making: Based on the information, the nurse will decide the next steps. The nurse might send an ambulance if the situation is serious. For less urgent cases, they might give advice over the phone.
3. Follow-Up: After the initial call, the program may involve follow-up. This ensures that the patient gets the care they need.
Benefits of the Program
Better Use of Resources
One big advantage is better use of emergency resources. Not every call needs an ambulance or a trip to the emergency room. By using nurses to assess calls, the program can free up ambulances for real emergencies. This means faster response times for those who truly need it.
Improved Patient Care
Patients get the right care faster. Nurses can provide immediate advice or guide them to the best service. This could be a doctor, a clinic, or other health services.
Reduced Costs
The program can also save money. Using nurses to handle calls is less expensive than sending ambulances for non-emergencies. This helps lower healthcare costs for everyone.
Who is Involved?
Spokane Fire Department (SFD)
The SFD is key to the program. They provide the emergency response team. When the nurse decides an ambulance is needed, the SFD is ready to respond.
Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC)
SREC manages the 911 calls. They make sure that calls get to the right place. With the Nurse Navigation Program, they route calls to the nurses for assessment.
American Medical Response (AMR)
AMR provides the medical transport. When an ambulance is needed, AMR steps in. They have the tools and staff to handle medical emergencies.
How the Program Started
The program started because of a need for better care. Too many people were using emergency services for non-emergencies. This was clogging up the system and making it hard to respond to real emergencies. The involved parties saw a chance to improve things. They came up with the idea for the Nurse Navigation Program.
Success Stories
Faster Response Times
Since starting, response times have improved. Real emergencies get immediate attention. Non-emergency cases get the right advice without tying up resources.
Patient Satisfaction
Patients report higher satisfaction. They get help quickly and feel better served. Nurses provide a personal touch that callers appreciate.
The Future of the Program
Plans are in place to expand the program. More nurses will be added. The goal is to handle even more calls and offer better service. The program hopes to become a model for other cities.
Conclusion
The Nurse Navigation Program is a game changer. It improves how emergency services work and helps patients get the right care. With better use of resources, lower costs, and higher satisfaction, this program could be the future of emergency care. If other cities follow Spokane’s lead, we could see a revolution in how we handle 911 calls. The time for change is now, and Spokane is leading the way.
Original Article: https://my.spokanecity.org/fire/news/2024/06/17/srec-sfd-amr-announce-nurse-navigation-program/
