The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District is adding a new service for people who call 911.
Beginning this week, people calling for help within the district may receive expanded medical services through a new program called Nurse Navigation.
The district said in a statement the program is an innovative health care solution, with proven success in communities nationwide, provided through a partnership with emergency medical service Global Medical Response.
If a condition doesn’t require emergency care or transport, callers will be transferred to a nurse navigator to determine an appropriate treatment and help coordinate access to care.
“By connecting callers with the right resources, it helps reduce pressure on emergency departments and allows our ambulances and first responders to focus on the most urgent cases.” Xon Burris Jr., assistant fire chief of the EMS division
The district said the program helps people receive the right level of care, which may include a referral to an appropriate resource.
The nurse navigator service does not require the caller to have medical insurance and there’s no cost.
Ambulances and fire personnel will still be dispatched for urgent, life-threatening, or potentially life-threatening emergencies.
“By connecting callers with the right resources, it helps reduce pressure on emergency departments and allows our ambulances and first responders to focus on the most urgent cases,” said Xon Burris Jr., assistant fire chief of the EMS division, in the statement. “This program is an important step in providing exceptional care to the residents and visitors of Contra Costa County while ensuring our emergency services remain responsive and effective.”