Delaware County is operating without its highest-level trauma center at Crozer-Chester Medical Center, writes Susan Gantz for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Ambulance blood transfusions are now used by VMSC Emergency Medical Services to improve a patient’s chance of survival when a high-level trauma center is no longer minutes away.
VMSC is also training residents on how to stop bleeding at the scene of an emergency.
“When we look at healthcare deserts, mostly this affects rural communities. We’re seeing this within 20 miles of Philadelphia,” said Shane Wheeler, CEO of VMSC. “We have to look at pre-hospital care more broadly.”
Riddle Hospital in Media and Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby have added staff and temporary beds to cope with patient overflow.
Townships are replacing Crozer ambulances with their own contracts for ambulance services. Two dozen townships are using shared emergency-response contracts.
Crozer-Chester Medical Center was also the county’s only 24/7 crisis center for mental and behavioral health.
The county has proposals under review for a freestanding mental health crisis center. Main Line Health is also expanding its mental health services for patients who need ongoing medication maintenance and talk therapy.
Find out more about Delaware County’s latest response to healthcare shortfalls in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
.
