Emergency Services

Many of the barriers to effective emergency care systems are also barriers to effective population health management and the Associations’ vision of an optimally healthy society.  Prehospital care and services, emergency department crowding, alternate destinations and treatment sites as well as post-acute transfer options impact the effectiveness of emergency departments and the ability of residents to receive the right care at the right time in the right place.

To support member concerns the Hospital Council will:

1. Promote technology solutions including telemedicine, technology-based health monitoring, and health information exchange (HIE) development that improve coordination of patient care.
2. Advocate for adoption of policies by county mental health departments that improve access and coordination of patient care as well as timely triage, treatment, and transfers from hospital emergency departments to other appropriate care settings.  (Also included in Behavioral Health advocacy activities.)
3. Advocate for positive local EMS policies that improve coordination of patient care in areas such as ambulance patient off-load time (APOT): specialized ED designations; first responder expectations; the use of tele-psychiatry for 5150 holds and releases; community paramedicine alternate destinations; and alternative treatment, placement and care delivery options for patients, e.g. sobering centers, mobile crisis units, crisis residential centers.
4. Advocate for an increase in community resources for pre- and post-acute care services including social support services to decrease avoidable ED visits, behavioral health ED visits and social admissions.
5. Advocate with local stakeholders in support of the CHA/Regional Associations Emergency Care Systems Initiative.