Introduction
Emergency medical services (EMS) across the country are facing a growing crisis as rising 911 call volumes, largely driven by low-acuity complaints, have strained EMS systems and emergency departments (EDs). This demand puts considerable pressure on local resources, leading to provider burnout, understaffing, fiscal burden, and limited capacity to serve communities.
The rise in low-acuity calls stems from multiple patient-level factors, including patients’ inability to access primary care, lack of transportation, financial concerns, low healthcare literacy, and confusion about appropriate care options. With few alternatives, many patients turn to EMS, leading to ED overcrowding and increased wall time and unit-hour utilization in our pre-hospital systems.
Ultimately, a traditional EMS handling of these cases often results in unnecessary patient transport, even though many low-acuity complaints can be managed with comprehensive on-site medical guidance and treatment at the scene…