Partnership aims to cut unnecessary ED use.

Scottsdale (AZ) Health System and the City of Scottsdale Fire Department are teaming up to treat patients at the right level of care and avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency department and hospitalizations. In the model, a paramedic from the fire department and an advanced practice nurse from the hospital will take calls to 911 that the medical triage staff determines are low-level complaints that do not require a trip to the emergency department. The nurse-paramedic team will also make follow-up visits to discharged patients who may be at risk for readmissions. They will be equipped with videoconferencing equipment they can use to consult with behavioral health providers and, when appropriate, transfer patients with mental health problems directly to a provider, eliminating an emergency department visit.