Cleveland, OH,
10
January
2019
|
10:41 AM
America/New_York

Fisher-Titus and MetroHealth expand collaboration to include critical care transportation

To continue to enhance trauma and critical care services in north central Ohio, Fisher-Titus and MetroHealth are expanding critical care transportation services, according to Brent W. Burkey, MD, president, Fisher-Titus.

“Ensuring patients receive the highest quality care before arriving at a hospital means better outcomes and faster recovery for patients. Serving the needs of our patients, right here where they live, is very important to us.” said Dr. Burkey. “In October, we entered into a collaboration with the MetroHealth system, a top provider for trauma and burn care in Ohio, to bring skilled trauma care to our hospital. It’s only natural to expand our trauma plans to include key partnerships within our transport service to further evolve our critical care offering into the pre-hospital environment.”

To better serve the region, Fisher-Titus and MetroHealth will be collaborating on several key initiatives including medical direction of North Central EMS and the operation of ground critical care services.

MetroHealth is now serving as the Medical Director of Fisher-Titus’ North Central EMS service, a 911 and EMS transport service in Huron and surrounding counties. In this role, MetroHealth will oversee protocols and processes for patient care, as well as quality and continual education for North Central EMS staff.

“MetroHealth is committed to the North Central Ohio region,” said Bernard Boulanger, MD, executive vice president and chief clinical officer. “It’s a natural fit to expand our relationship in this way and expand our care to include the pre-hospital setting.”

In addition, Metro Life Flight has begun operations of ground critical care transportation for the region. The Metro Life Flight ground critical ambulance care unit is staffed by MetroHealth critical care crews, and will be servicing Huron County and local hospitals. This partnership represents an expansion of ground services, which MetroHealth currently operates in Cuyahoga county.

The first week of January brought change to critical care air transport, as well. Utah-based Guardian Flight, stationed at Milan for the past year, withdrew its air critical care transport helicopter operating in the region. Local critical care air transport providers, including MetroHealth’s Life Flight helicopters, will provide expanded support to the region.

“This change opens an opportunity to look at our relationships with other top air transport providers to ensure our community and region is getting the best possible critical air transport services,” said Dr. Burkey. “We are looking forward to working together with area hospitals to enhance this service.”

Photo features one of the Metro Life Flight crews. From left to right: Jyme Dickson, Paramedic, FPC  (Flight Paramedic Certified); Henry Smitley, Paramedic, FPC; Kevin Quick, Flight Nurse.

About Fisher-Titus

Fisher-Titus is an independent not-for profit community health system dedicated to the health and wellness of the greater Huron County area. The Fisher-Titus health system provides the area’s 70,000 residents a full continuum of personalized, quality care and includes Fisher-Titus Medical Center, a 99-bed acute care hospital; Norwalk Memorial Home, a 69-bed skilled nursing facility; The Carriage House of Fisher-Titus, a 48-unit assisted living facility; an employed physician group; emergency transportation service; a retail pharmacy and home health care services.

With a dedicated and talented staff of employees and an outstanding team of physicians, Fisher-Titus has earned numerous national recognitions. The Medical Center is accredited by Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) and is also certified as a Primary Stroke Center and a Level 3 Trauma Center. Fisher-Titus Medical Center is a six-time recipient as the nation’s Most Wired Hospitals. For more information, please visit fishertitus.org.

About the MetroHealth System

Founded in 1837, MetroHealth is leading the way to a healthier you and a healthier community through service, teaching, discovery, and teamwork. Cuyahoga County’s public, safety-net hospital system, MetroHealth meets people where they are, providing care through five hospitals, four emergency departments and more than 20 health centers. Each day, our nearly 9,000 employees focus on providing our community with equitable healthcare — through patient-focused research, access to care, and support services — that seeks to eradicate health disparities rooted in systematic barriers. For more information, visit metrohealth.org.