Here’s some great news- The Health Sciences & Services Authority (HSSA) of Spokane
County announced it will fund in 2017 $300,000 for four community non-profit
organizations of its annual “Access to Care” grant competition. The
organizations that will be funded were judged by the HSSA Board, and those
selected provide innovative health service delivery and increased access to
health care to certain populations.
The one that we’re particularly happy to see is Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP) Spokane Ride
to Care program, which will receive $100,000 to provide transportation for persons
who call the 911 system and need urgent care but not an emergency department
visit. This was discussed at our recent round table discussions. Ambulances are the most expensive way to get to healthcare, but many people use them as they don’t have another way to get there. This uses everyone’s tax dollars and also ties up our emergency rooms when there are more pressing cases. Currently, in the City of Spokane approximately 61% of area emergency calls are considered low-acuity, and 50% of these cases could be reduced by providing an alternate transportation mechanism.
County announced it will fund in 2017 $300,000 for four community non-profit
organizations of its annual “Access to Care” grant competition. The
organizations that will be funded were judged by the HSSA Board, and those
selected provide innovative health service delivery and increased access to
health care to certain populations.
The one that we’re particularly happy to see is Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP) Spokane Ride
to Care program, which will receive $100,000 to provide transportation for persons
who call the 911 system and need urgent care but not an emergency department
visit. This was discussed at our recent round table discussions. Ambulances are the most expensive way to get to healthcare, but many people use them as they don’t have another way to get there. This uses everyone’s tax dollars and also ties up our emergency rooms when there are more pressing cases. Currently, in the City of Spokane approximately 61% of area emergency calls are considered low-acuity, and 50% of these cases could be reduced by providing an alternate transportation mechanism.
Spokane Fire Department (SFD) paramedics or
in-field physician consults will determine when a 911 call comes in if the patient needs emergency help or just a ride to an urgent care or doctor’s office.
in-field physician consults will determine when a 911 call comes in if the patient needs emergency help or just a ride to an urgent care or doctor’s office.