Community Health Assess and Treat: how a Fire & Rescue team helps 911 operators triage calls
(InvestigateTV) — A new program is working to change the way emergency services respond to healthcare needs in Oregon.
There is a growing issue of people using emergency services as a primary source of healthcare.
Portland Fire & Rescue is looking to help 911 operators triage calls with CHAT, or Community Health Assess and Treat. The goal is to cut down on unnecessary ER visits, which will help both the hospitals and the patients.
“I’ve had people call for having a bad dream, for tearing a toenail off, or even because they couldn’t sleep,” said Justin DeJesus, a paramedic with Portland Fire & Rescue’s CHAT team. “There’s a lack of understanding about what the 911 system is actually for.”
Reporter Ezra Kaplan introduces us to some of the CHAT team.
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