Albany County Sheriff’s Office Announces New 911 Telehealth Partnership with UCM Digital Health
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UCM Digital Health (UCM), a telehealth provider that offers a digital platform, a team of providers, and round-the-clock triage and treatment services, has announced a joint program with the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Albany County Sheriff’s Office of EMS. The program provides 911 patients with access to virtual care by a UCM provider.
Under this program, paramedics and EMTs who respond to 911 calls can assess whether patients require emergency care at a hospital. If they determine that the patient does not require treatment in the hospital or ER setting, paramedics and EMTs can – with the patient’s consent – initiate a virtual consultation with a UCM-trained and licensed physician who will then treat and triage the presenting medical issues.
This solution is designed to mitigate unnecessary and costly trips to the emergency room.
“I think, in this case, telemedicine is a perfect answer and a perfect solution to limiting some of the people that go down and inundate and overuse the emergency room,” said Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple during a press conference.
In addition to treating a patient’s immediate concerns, the UCM Digital Health team can provide medical advice and reassurance, prescribe medications, and issue referrals for supplemental treatment, including laboratory testing, radiological imaging, and specialist appointments, should they be needed. Additionally, a follow-up virtual consultation with a UCM provider can be scheduled for the patient.
“Ambulance service extends considerable time and resources transporting patients who might be better cared for outside of the emergency room,” said Steve Anderson, Director of EMS & 911 at UCM Digital Health. “When an EMS crew is managing low to moderate emergency calls, system readiness for high-level emergencies is diminished.”
UCM Digital Health announced a similar partnership with the Columbia County, NY EMS Coordinator’s Office in May. The company plans to continue its expansion to additional counties, municipalities, and networks.