Seattle adds new layer to 911 calls with ‘Nurse Navigator’ program

Seattle’s 911 service got a new layer of response this week with the Nurse Navigation Program.

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Next time you call 911 in Seattle for a medical emergency, you may be redirected to a Nurse Navigator to determine the level of care you require. These licensed nurses will be able to assist in medical emergencies that may not need an ambulance.

This is part of the city’s new Emergency Healthcare Solution partnership between the Seattle Fire Department and American Medical Response.

Today our new Nurse Navigation program went live! This innovative partnership with AMR will give our dispatchers an alternative pathway for treatment when addressing the medical issues of 911 callers. Read more on Fireline: https://t.co/tkyGAAcqVy pic.twitter.com/oUWopBn983

— Seattle Fire Dept. (@SeattleFire) February 9, 2022

Fire Chief Harold Scoggins says licensed nurses on these calls can, for example, set up a virtual doctor’s appointment, or call for a ride to a hospital.

“Some of the chronic issues like abdominal pains or lower back pains that we get a lot of those calls, or mild flu symptoms, or COVID issues related to testing, or vaccination questions, we can transfer those to the Nurse Navigator,” Scoggins explained.

“We think it’s going to decrease the overwhelming of our emergency rooms,” he added. “Oftentimes, people go to the emergency room and they have injuries or illnesses that don’t need to be in the emergency room, so we can get them where they need to be.”

Scoggins also says it will free up first responders to deal with more dire emergencies.

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Similar programs are in place in five other states and the District of Columbia. The Nurse Navigation system in Seattle officially kicked off Tuesday, Feb. 8.