MEDSTAR ALLIANCE | 2021 VIII
in Care & Caring
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n September 3, 2021, at noon, healthcare providers from across Texas observed five minutes of silent reflection. It was 18 months ago that the first Texan was diagnosed with COVID-19. On March 3, 2020, most of us had no idea the profound impact the pandemic would have on virtually every aspect of our lives. Since then, 3.6 million Texans have contracted COVID-19 and, sadly, 57,869 have died as a result of the coronavirus.
Partners in Care
Throughout the pandemic, Lake Worth’s Fire and Police Departments and MedStar have partnered to provide outstanding service delivery while at the same time ensuring responder safety in the following ways.
using specific call-taking protocols to identify calls for patients who may be at high-risk for having COVID-19. When the screening results in a high index of suspicion that the patient may be suffering from COVID, this information is relayed to the responding emergency personnel prior to their arrival on scene. Often, the responders will meet briefly on scene prior to patient contact to collaborate on the best way to assure quality medical care, while limiting the number of personnel who will be in immediate contact with the patient to help limit potential exposure to emergency responders.
• 9-1-1 Call Screening – Trained Emergency Medical Dispatchers at MedStar’s 9-1-1 center have been
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• On-Scene Patient Navigation – Many patients who are experiencing mild COVID-related symptoms do not require treatment at a local emergency department. Further, emergency departments are currently very crowded, and hospitals are struggling to keep up with rising patient volumes. If MedStar or Lake Worth Fire personnel assess a patient and determine they do not need immediate care at an emergency department, the patient is not transported to an emergency department but is provided with education and printed information on how to seek care such as further
