Base ambulance policy can impact tax payer wallets

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Marissa Tucker
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The 4th Medical Group has noticed a rising trend in the number of 9-1-1 calls for non-emergency situations.

The 9-1-1 system should only be used in an emergency, said Capt. Sina Ziemak, a nurse who maintains the contract with the Wayne County ambulance service.

A medical group defines an emergency is defined as a potential loss of life, limb or eye sight.

"In an accident or any situation where someone is hurt, the first instinct is to call an ambulance," Captain Ziemak said. "Sometimes, the injury is not life threatening, and the injured person can use the wingman concept and have a fellow Airman provide transportation to the appropriate level of care needed for the situation."

Due to manning constraints, the medical group contracted the Wayne County Emergency Medical Services service in the Summer, said Captain Ziemak. The partnership with Wayne County allows us to provide a higher level of medical care to the base population. 

"It is important for our beneficiaries to know that when an ambulance responds to a call on-base, the patient will be transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital," said Captain Ziemak.

Recently, Wayne County ambulances have been called for on-base injuries that were not life threatening, and the injured persons refused to be taken to the emergency room.
Since November, 16 people have refused ambulance transport once Wayne EMS arrived on scene.

It is not a free service.

Each time an ambulance is called to base, it costs $110 just for them to respond to the call, but if the person is transported, the price is increased to $175. The medical group reported the total cost for ambulance response in 2008 was $57,244.

"Those numbers can add up substantially," Captain Ziemak said. "We have to be good stewards of the taxpayer's money, and we must maintain a good relationship with Wayne County EMS. The money used for unnecessary rides can be put toward other programs."

The medical group offers a nurse triage line where people who are unsure of what to do can speak with a registered nurse to evaluate their injuries or ailments. The nurse may direct the caller to an urgent care center, a hospital or be able to provide home care instructions that will allow them to wait until the following day to schedule a medical group appointment.

"If you're unsure about whether to call an ambulance or not, call the nurse so can they evaluate the severity of the situation and decide if it truly calls for emergency assistance, or if the ambulance would just serve as a very expensive taxi ride."