Since Nov. 6, the Memphis Fire Department has been experimenting with a new way to answer medical calls.
The Rapid Response Triage System pairs an EMT and a paramedic in a sedan - rather than an ambulance - to answer medical calls.
The program's purpose is twofold:
- Free more ambulances and fire trucks for other calls.
- Offer patients faster and better service.
The program started just two weeks ago, and so far so good, fire officials said.
"Over the years, our EMS division has been overwhelmed with transports, and with this program we're looking at alternate ways to serve the public better," said Michael Lambert, EMS quality improvement coordinator.
Fire departments from Nashville to Little Rock to Houston have tried similar programs.
Nashville launched a triage program last year, said EMS/ Paramedic bureau Deputy Chief Steven Meador.
The department's two triage cars have shaved three to four minutes from response times, Meador said.
"And in a life-or-death situation, every second counts," he said.
Memphis officials said they're hoping the program helps them handle better the number of calls that grows each year.
Today, it's not unusual to see a big red fire truck with a firefighter/paramedic team aboard pull up to treat a heart attack victim or a child with asthma - not a good use of resources, fire officials say.
The Memphis Fire Department began emergency medical services in 1966 with eight ambulances. Back then, it handled 8,000 runs a year.
Now the department's 27 ambulances go on 76,000 calls a year and transport more than 50,000 people.
With the triage system, an EMT and a paramedic assess the patient and decide whether an ambulance is needed.
The program has three triage units based at city fire stations - Station 11 on Union Avenue in Midtown, Station 19 at Chelsea and Lambert and Station 22 at Lamar and Pendleton.
Paramedic Skill Wilson and EMT Kenneth Lawler, both department veterans, are the tag-team of Triage 5.
Even though the program just started, the men say they have cut response time by two to three minutes.
"I think it's a good idea because not only is it helping us provide faster service to patients, but we're saving time and are able to get to calls faster," Wilson said.
The units respond to what fire officials classify as life-threatening situations, including heart attacks and choking and burn victims.
Fire officials will evaluate the program in January.
Lambert, of EMS, thinks the program's a keeper.
"It is a pretty cool thought, this pilot program, and we can't wait to look at the data and see if it has made an impact," he said.
- Yolanda Jones: 529-2380
Copyright, 2002, The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN. Used with permission.
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