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The Houston Fire Department has taken a new approach to handling non-emergency medical calls, aiming to reduce the strain on emergency rooms and improve patient care. According to a report from NPR, firefighters often respond to situations that aren’t true emergencies, but while they're on these calls, they may receive another urgent call—like a cardiac arrest or a shooting—that requires immediate attention. This can delay critical care for those in real need.
Recently, firefighter Tyler Hooper drove through the rain to check on Susan Carrington, a 56-year-old woman who was coughing and struggling to breathe. She had no regular doctor and had called 911 out of fear. Hooper, along with other firefighters, assessed her vital signs and found everything stable. Instead of rushing her to the ER, he used a video chat app to connect her with Dr. Kenneth Margolis, located at the city’s emergency dispatch center.
Through the screen, Dr. Margolis spoke directly with Carrington, asking about her symptoms and observing her reactions. He determined that an ER visit wasn’t necessary and instead scheduled her a clinic appointment for the next morning, arranging a free taxi ride to take her there. The program, called Project Ethan, allows patients to get immediate medical advice without going to the emergency room, saving time and resources.
Dr. Michael Gonzalez, the director of Project Ethan, explains that the initiative aims to redirect patients to primary care clinics rather than just sending them to the ER. By doing so, ambulances remain available for true emergencies, and emergency rooms can focus on more critical cases. The program also provides follow-up care to address underlying issues that might lead people to misuse 911.
Funded in part by federal grants, the program costs over $1 million annually, but experts believe it will save millions in the long run. A 2011 study showed that 40% of ER visits in Houston were for non-urgent issues that could have been treated in outpatient clinics. Treating these patients in clinics saves up to $1,000 per visit compared to the ER. With Project Ethan, Houston is making progress toward a more efficient and cost-effective healthcare system.