Baptist Health Hardin launches new emergency medical service
Baptist Health Hardin. February 02, 2024
ELIZABETHTOWN, KY (Jan. 31, 2024) – Baptist Health Hardin has announced the launch of its own emergency medical service (EMS). Two new, dedicated ambulances will be used for the service, which will be offered to patients transferring from the hospital to other healthcare facilities including acute care settings or skilled nursing and long-term care facilities. It will also be available for patients returning home. The service began Tuesday morning after the two new ambulances passed inspection with the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) on Monday.
“By facilitating non-emergent transports, we can get our patients to the next level of care more quickly,” said Baptist Health Hardin Chief Nursing Officer Jennifer Woods. “We are thrilled to offer this new service, which will be a great benefit to our patients and community and will lend valuable support to our local emergency services partners by increasing their capacity for 911 runs.”
By offering an internal solution as an alternative to the traditional EMS service, the hospital also hopes to eliminate potential discharge delays that can occur when ambulances are occupied with emergency runs. The service is expected to create greater efficiency for the discharge process, helping receiving facilities admit patients in a timelier manner and improving patient flow by increasing bed availability at the hospital. The new service will also benefit traditional EMS services by allowing them to focus on lifesaving runs.
“This new EMS service addresses a growing need for medical transport in our area,” said Corissa Walters, director of EMS for Baptist Health Hardin. “Our priority is getting patients where they need to go in a timely manner so they can take the next steps in treatment or recovery. It’s really a win-win situation for everyone.”
“This new service is going to be a tremendous benefit for our patients and the entire community,” said Baptist Health Hardin President Robert Ramey. “Once again, our team has demonstrated their unwavering commitment to delivering excellent care. Special thanks go out to our EMS director Corissa Walters and the entire team for their leadership, diligence, and collaboration on this project.”
One of the two new ambulances will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to serve the most critically ill patients. The other ambulance, which will provide service for convalescent runs, will operate 12 hours daily. The new EMS service will operate from a former residential home at the corner of Hill Street and Cardinal Drive.
This service is exclusively for interfacility transfers and transferring patients home. Community members should always call 911 for emergency medical assistance.
“By facilitating non-emergent transports, we can get our patients to the next level of care more quickly,” said Baptist Health Hardin Chief Nursing Officer Jennifer Woods. “We are thrilled to offer this new service, which will be a great benefit to our patients and community and will lend valuable support to our local emergency services partners by increasing their capacity for 911 runs.”
By offering an internal solution as an alternative to the traditional EMS service, the hospital also hopes to eliminate potential discharge delays that can occur when ambulances are occupied with emergency runs. The service is expected to create greater efficiency for the discharge process, helping receiving facilities admit patients in a timelier manner and improving patient flow by increasing bed availability at the hospital. The new service will also benefit traditional EMS services by allowing them to focus on lifesaving runs.
“This new EMS service addresses a growing need for medical transport in our area,” said Corissa Walters, director of EMS for Baptist Health Hardin. “Our priority is getting patients where they need to go in a timely manner so they can take the next steps in treatment or recovery. It’s really a win-win situation for everyone.”
“This new service is going to be a tremendous benefit for our patients and the entire community,” said Baptist Health Hardin President Robert Ramey. “Once again, our team has demonstrated their unwavering commitment to delivering excellent care. Special thanks go out to our EMS director Corissa Walters and the entire team for their leadership, diligence, and collaboration on this project.”
One of the two new ambulances will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to serve the most critically ill patients. The other ambulance, which will provide service for convalescent runs, will operate 12 hours daily. The new EMS service will operate from a former residential home at the corner of Hill Street and Cardinal Drive.
This service is exclusively for interfacility transfers and transferring patients home. Community members should always call 911 for emergency medical assistance.