Hinds County will soon be the first in the state to implement the 911 Nurse Navigation Program, an initiative aimed at improving emergency response and reducing strain on hospital emergency rooms.
The program, developed in partnership with American Medical Response and its parent company Global Medical Response, is designed to assist 911 callers experiencing non-urgent medical issues.
Instead of immediately sending an ambulance to a caller’s home – if they have less serious medical needs that don’t require immediate attention – dispatchers will have trained nurse navigators at their disposal to help screen the caller and offer appropriate resources such as scheduling an in-person appointment, connecting them with a virtual physician, directing them to an urgent care center, or arranging non-ambulance transportation. At any time in speaking with a nurse navigator, the caller can request an ambulance and one will be sent.
“Far too often, callers with non-life-threatening issues have only one option – an ambulance to the emergency department,” said Joseph Perkins, director of emergency operations in Hinds County. “Nurse navigation offers a smarter, more compassionate solution tailored to each patient’s real needs.”
While Hinds County will be the first county in Mississippi to implement the 911 Nurse Navigation Program, AMR officials believe it will have a positive impact on the entire region with people traveling into the capital of Jackson daily for hospital care. Anticipated results include ambulances being able to make it to critical emergencies faster and lowering healthcare costs by reducing the number of unnecessary ambulance trips and emergency department visits.
The 911 Nurse Navigation Program will operate round-the-clock, ensuring callers and emergency medical dispatchers have access to the program at any time of the day or night.
“Our goal is to make sure EMS resources are focused where they can make the greatest difference, while those with less urgent needs receive appropriate guidance and care,” said Ryan Wilson, AMR Central Mississippi operations manager. “This program is a win for patients, first responders, and the entire healthcare system.”
Other states that have adopted the program such as California, Colorado, Georgia, and North Carolina have seen worthwhile results, according to AMR officials. Hinds County’s implementation of the 911 Nurse Navigation Program is expected to happen by the end of October with more details to be released soon.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to innovative, cost-effective healthcare for all residents of Hinds County,” Wilson concluded. “We’re proud to lead the way in reimagining how emergency services respond to our community’s needs.”
