GALT, CA (MPG) - The Cosumnes Community Services District board held its regular meeting on Dec. 3, recognizing progress with the county’s emergency medical services response times.

Directors received an update on the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program, which launched five months ago. Assistant Chief of Emergency Medical Services Robert Kasparian reported measurable improvements in patient outcomes, strengthened partnerships with local hospitals and a reduction in low-acuity 911 transports.

Launched Aug. 5 by the Cosumnes Fire Department, the pilot covers the Cosumnes Fire Department’s 157-square-mile service area, which includes more than 214,000 residents in Elk Grove, Galt and unincorporated areas of south Sacramento County.

“Our MIH model is connecting patients to the right care, at the right time and the right place,” said Kasparian.

Kasparian credited Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume, who attended the meeting, for helping to fund the pilot program through an initial American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant and for making an additional $20,000 contribution that evening.

“His leadership has helped drive meaningful reductions in ambulance off-load times through improved emergency medical services, hospital and county coordination,” Kasparian said of Hume. “His support has been instrumental in moving these initiatives forward, not only for the Cosumnes Fire Department but for all of Sacramento County.”

 

Pictured from left are Cosumnes Fire Department Chief Felipe Rodriguez, General Manager Tim Odgen, Vice President Peter Sakaris, Director Rich Lozano, President Angela Spease, Supervisor Pat Hume, Director Daniella Zehnder, Director Reina Tarango and Assistant Chief of Emergency Medical Services Robert Kasparian. 

Hume addressed the board to share why he supports the program, explaining that shortly after taking office he learned Sacramento County had one of the worst average patient off-load times in the state, with an average of more than 72 minutes.

“That’s over an hour that patient is laying in a gurney in a hallway, not getting any better, hopefully not getting any worse,” Hume said, also noting the cost of equipment and emergency personnel required to remain with patients during long waits.

He said the Mobile Integrated Health pilot program has helped to bring that average down to 26 to 29 minutes, below the state standard of 30 minutes, and added that the county is aiming to reduce the time to 20 minutes.

The purpose of the Mobile Integrated Health model, Hume said, is to help “adjust the apertures of the funnel,” referring to emergency rooms, by directing patients to the medical services they need when alternatives to the emergency room are available.

Hume added that Sacramento County is gaining national attention for its emerging approach to emergency care. He said his donation that night is a stopgap measure until sustainable revenue is found to keep the program going.

Board of Directors Vice President Peter Sakaris thanked Hume for his support in this effort, acknowledging he was among those that brought the issue up to Hume, stating it had been an ongoing issue for 10 years and Hume was the first to take on the challenge in his position. He noted that his part of the board will support allocating funding to continue the program, a sentiment echoed by fellow directors.