Program will provide access to customized and timely care options to meet their specific medical needs.
The City of Boulder is partnering with American Medical Response (AMR) to bring a new service to the community that is designed to quickly determine a person’s right level of care based on an individual’s medical needs when 911 is called.
The Emergency Nurse Navigation Program, designed and implemented by AMR, works by routing dispatcher-triaged 911 callers with non-emergent injuries or illnesses to a Colorado State Licensed-nurse for assessment. A nurse will then assess a caller’s symptoms and refer them to the most appropriate medical care. Steps taken by the Nurse Navigator could include a virtual visit with a board-certified emergency physician, home health suggestions to best meet a patient’s needs, or transport, without an ambulance, to a non-emergent local healthcare provider. The patient benefits through the more direct communication and care that can save time and money. Medical information provided during calls will continue to be considered private patient information.
“AMR has proudly served the community of Boulder for 10 years,” said Brittany Buss, operations manager of AMR Boulder. “Our partnership with the city is important to us, as is being able to enhance our services and care to area residents through the launch of the Nurse Navigation Program. Together we will ensure that every patient reaches the right level of care while simultaneously making our EMS system more efficient and effective.”
“Boulder Fire-Rescue and the city of Boulder is excited to be partnering with AMR to implement the emergency nurse navigation program. This program uses evidence-based clinical decision making to immediately evaluate a patient’s current condition when they call 911. By doing so it provides a needs-matched time appropriate resource allocation (NMTARA) to meet each person’s unique healthcare needs. The emergency nurse navigation program will ensure that we are delivering the right resource, at the right time, in the right setting – this achieves the right outcome for our community members at the right cost to them as well,” said Jenna Steege, Boulder Fire-Rescue’s EMS Administrator.
The City of Boulder Emergency Nurse Navigation Program service will launch on September 13. There is no additional cost associated with the implementation of this program to the city or community members. This service is part of the agreed upon terms of AMR being the contracted ambulance provider working in coordination with the Boulder Fire-rescue's service to our community.
Boulder is the first community in Boulder County to implement a Nurse Navigation Program into its 911 systems. Similar programs are in place in 10 other states and the District of Columbia. Data collected from other communities continue to show that in addition to ensuring high and low acuity calls receive the most appropriate level of care it alleviates strain on EMS and healthcare systems.