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Medic tests new program that delays response times

By Gina Esposito, wsoctv.com
By Gina Esposito, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Medic is testing out a pilot program that delays paramedics’ response time by three minutes for certain low-risk calls.

John Studnek, deputy director with Medic, said that as the department's call volume grows, they are figuring out ways to cut out calls that really aren't life-or-death incidents.

"If we are not needed, we can preserve those resources for somebody that does need us,” Studnek said.

Medic officials said about half of their staff is functioning under the new program, which started in January.

Medic looked into 30,000 canceled calls in their system and found six types of calls that are not as likely to need a transport to the hospital: traffic accidents, assaults, overdose/ingestion, poison, psychiatric/suicide attempt, sick person and an unknown problem.

(Click PLAY to watch Gina Esposito talk to residents about the pilot program)

A 911 dispatcher will hold an ambulance for three minutes before it’s sent out.

"Car accidents that involve a patient, or a car that’s an overturned vehicle, we will always respond to those," Studnek said.

Medic will respond to other serious calls involving blood or heart issues.

On the calls for which Medic receives little information, however, it relies on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Charlotte Fire Department.

Both agencies are capable of doing an initial medical assessment. The Fire Department said between 4-5 p.m., emergency medical technicians respond to every medical emergency.

“We have a great first responder system that can take care of those needs for us and preserve that ambulance to take care of the cardiac arrest or stroke patients," Studnek said.

Officials said they’re trying out the program in order to prevent canceled calls and save resources for more important calls. They said the call volume is growing at a faster rate than the county. They are trying to find ways to reduce call volume and response to unnecessary calls.

Medic uses a map to position its trucks across Mecklenburg County to ensure a quick response time.

Kaisha Johnson, a Charlotte resident, questions the risk involved in Medic's test, but she trusts the overall system.

“I think any first responder, in a timely matter, is better than none," Johnson said.

Medic is still testing the effectiveness of the pilot program.

Officials will present their data and findings to the Medical Control Board on May 12.

The board members are medical professionals in the community, who are affiliated with such hospitals as Novant Health and Carolinas Medical Center Main, and they will decide if the program will continue.

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