Re: MedStar

November 3, 2009

I do not have a problem with this approach. This is not the same thing as

treatment/transport refusal. It's a proactive program, and I can see many

benefits to both patients and the system. I do not know, but I suspect

that my friend, Dr. Jeff Beeson, a former paramedic, might be one of the

forces behind this.

I would like to know how they bill for this service and whether or not they

get paid anything for it. Perhaps it's just a cost they bear to cut down

on the unnecessary calls.

I think this is precisely the sort of things that a good system should be

doing, and paramedics can be given enhanced education and training to do this

sort of work. This is not unlike other programs that use LVNs or CNA's to

do home care for patients with chronic illnesses.

If anybody knows more about this, please let me know.

GG

In a message dated 11/3/09 8:33:19 AM, kenny.shaw@...

writes:

> Â

>

> November 2, WFAA 8 Dallas-Fort Worth - (Texas) MedStar program seeks to

> curb non-emergency 911 calls. Last year, MedStar took 21 habitual 911

> emergency callers to the hospital a total of more than 800 times. With

> 127 calls in 2008, one patient's care came at a cost of nearly one

> million dollars. Now, MedStar is making house calls in an attempt to cut

> back on the non-emergency services. The agency has put together a team

> of paramedics that will deal with habitual callers with the hopes of

> freeing up paramedics to deal with more life threatening emergencies and

> saving taxpayers money. The MedStar program is called the Community

> Health Program. During weekly visits, paramedics check vital signs and

> make sure patients are taking their medications properly. There are

> seven patients actively enrolled. Their 911 calls have dropped 52

> percent since the program started three months ago. Source:

> _mo_medstar. _mo_medst _mo

>

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