ICEMA Continuation of Specialty Care Program

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

Trauma, stroke and heart attack represent a significant consequence to health and remain three (3) of the top 10 causes of serious injury and death in the United States. Considering the diversity of the geography and the remoteness of many areas of San Bernardino County, accessing specialty medical care for specialized treatment is often difficult. While rapid care and treatment are an aim of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), many patients arrive at closer community hospitals. The ICEMA Continuation of Specialty Care Program is designed to deliver these patients to a hospital with specialized services since rapid and definitive care at a specialty care center often means the difference between survival, lifelong disability or death. Many patients, arriving at local community hospitals by ambulance or as walk-ins, may require medical treatment that is only available at specialty care centers. While local hospitals are able to provide basic emergency stabilizing care, they are not equipped and/or staffed to render the time sensitive specialty interventions that may be required for the long term survival of these patients. The ICEMA Continuation of Specialty Care Program allows for rapid transfer of a patient from any hospital in San Bernardino County and links them with a specialty care center that is capable of the needed specialized care. The improvement in time to treatment reduces morbidity and mortality and improves the quality of services provided to residents and visitors in San Bernardino County.