The McKinney Fire Department is launching a new telemedicine program designed to connect patients to emergency room physicians without a trip to the hospital.
The fire department is partnering with Integrative Emergency Services to provide this program that is one of the first in the country involving fire-based emergency response departments, the department stated in a news release.
When paramedics arrive on the scene they can use the program to evaluate nonemergency patients. Paramedics are then connected to a board-certified ER physician who will assist in providing the right diagnosis, treatment and referral options, the release stated.
The goal is to help treat patients while also allowing them to potentially circumvent an expensive and avoidable trip to the emergency room, the release stated.
