Partnership Aims to Expand Virtual Care Access for EMS Patients

Emergency medical services (EMS) provider Falck announced a collaboration with MD Ally to expand the scope of care for Alameda County, California residents by enabling EMS professionals to connect patients to virtual care providers.

Despite high demands for emergency care, in some cases, patients do not need to be taken to the hospital. A lack of clarity surrounding the prioritization of patients can lead to issues in ensuring patients receive appropriate treatment, the press release notes.

To enhance emergency care operations, Falck struck a partnership with a public safety virtual care solution provider known as MD Ally. Falck is one of the largest EMS providers in the world and the official provider of emergency ambulance services in Alameda County, California.

Through the new partnership, paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Alameda County will be able to connect non-emergency patients to virtual care professionals. This could eliminate the need for a patient to travel to a hospital as EMTs work with MD Ally providers to decide on the appropriate treatment.

"Falck is committed to the health and safety of the communities we serve, and we're proud to join forces with MD Ally to provide quality services that are aligned with the needs of Alameda County residents," said David Torres, chief of Falck's Alameda County operation, in a press release. "In addition to better serving patients with non-emergency medical issues, this program will free up paramedics and firefighters to handle emergencies that require immediate attention."

The program will cover a wide array of conditions, including chronic pain, diarrhea, migraines, and influenza. It will also include prescription refills.

According to the press release, Falck handles over 140,000 911 calls in Alameda County annually, indicating a high potential for outreach associated with the program.

"We are proud to work with Falck to bring additional important resources to the Alameda County community," said Shanel Fields, CEO and founder of MD Ally, in the press release. "Their forward-thinking approach to implementing virtual care in the County highlights how important improving the physical and mental well-being of the community is to them. As we continue to work with various emergency medical providers across the country, the impact and value telemedicine provides has proven to be significant.”

Other healthcare organizations have taken similar steps to enhance EMS operations through virtual tools.

In December 2022, Mount Sinai EMS worked with the health system's department of emergency medicine to extend telehealth options to patients who engage in non-urgent 911 calls.

As part of a federal pilot known as Emergency Triage, Treat, and Transport (ET3), this telehealth program includes a patient assessment following a 911 call. If EMTs determine that the patient does not require urgent medical attention, they will connect the patient to emergency medicine providers through tablets.