The Kissimmee Fire Department launched telemedicine and patient navigation into its Emergency Medical Services system with the new Tele911 program on Tuesday, June 7. So far, the program has been used on two calls it has responded to.
KFD partnered with Tele911, Inc. to reduce ambulance transports to the Emergency Room for residents who call 911 with non-emergency medical issues. KFD is one of the first fire departments in Florida to use this service.
Patients will be evaluated by KFD paramedics, who will determine if they are stable and can participate in a live telehealth visit. The Tele911 emergency physician will make an appropriate disposition and treatment plan that meets the patient’s needs. The patient will also receive a next-day follow-up with a physician.
Patients who are not transported will also receive a follow-up by a Tele911 social worker to provide them with linkage to primary care and social services.
KFD and Tele911 will provide emergency medicine telehealth services and social worker follow-ups, allowing KFD paramedics to offer an even higher level of patient care, address social determinants of health, and reduce response times for actual emergencies.
For more information about Tele-911, visit www.tele911.com.
