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The vast plains of West Texas are adorned with oil field machinery, wind turbines, farms, and ranches, making it a distinctive and thriving region.
However, hospitals and emergency rooms are not always readily accessible in the vast expanses of empty plains and state highways. As a result, those who reside or travel through these areas are left without immediate medical assistance during times of dire emergencies.
The Texas Legislature is providing support to a pilot program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, which has the potential to address numerous challenges encountered in rural health care in West Texas.
The program — established by House Bill 617, spearheaded by Republican state Rep. Drew Darby of San Angelo — provides emergency telemedicine medical services and telehealth services in rural areas by installing secure video calls and wireless patient monitoring in ambulances already in transit to an emergency room.
In this program, physicians can remotely assess the patient’s condition and symptoms, enabling them to provide recommendations to the ambulance crew regarding the appropriate treatment until the patient reaches the nearest treatment facility.
The program’s advocates are optimistic about its potential to address the challenges faced by individuals in remote areas of Texas who often have to undertake long drives when they require medical attention due to illness, injury, or end-of-life care. Dr. Billy Philips, the university’s executive vice president for rural and community health, highlighted the difficulties faced by EMS services across the state in providing timely and appropriate care to patients.
Philips stated their aim to enhance the provision of services for the vast population residing in this area. By commencing the care process during patient transportation, they aim to reduce service redundancy and achieve improved outcomes.
The legislature is investing in a program that has already shown results — Texas lawmakers approved the start of the program in 2015, but the funding fell through in a later session. During the first trial run of the program, they focused on the Trans-Pecos region in far West Texas because it is a major transportation zone and has oil and gas production.
James Beauchamp, chair for the Commission on State Emergency Communications, stated that their initial focus for this project was primarily on addressing a prevalent issue in our rural regions, particularly concerning the high occurrence of devastating accidents and injuries due to the oil and gas industry.
According to Beauchamp, the initial hour of care, commonly known as the Golden Hour, holds utmost importance. A patient’s chances of survival increase significantly if they receive prompt treatment.
Beauchamp’s findings indicate that the initial version of the program demonstrated the potential to decrease fatalities or deaths by 33%.
Beauchamp stated that any effort made to decrease fatalities or deaths by that extent holds great significance.
Initially, Beauchamp was taken aback to witness a certain level of reluctance among EMS providers to participate in the program. Upon investigation, he discovered that this hesitancy stemmed from the fact that most providers were operating under protocols established back in the 1960s. Consequently, they were unsure if they were permitted to partake in the program, as there was no doctor available to update the protocols for them. In order to address this issue, Philips and his team stepped in and assisted multiple EMS providers in modernizing their protocols.
Beauchamp expressed his desire for the program to expand its reach, citing the existence of similar initiatives in other regions like Louisiana and Arkansas. He emphasized the importance of conducting research to determine the areas where the program would yield the most significant impact, in order to facilitate its wider implementation.
Beauchamp expressed her desire to witness every EMS unit being equipped with the capability to connect with the service hospital they collaborate with. She believes it is the subsequent advancement in the hierarchy of emergency care and trauma centers.
Butch Oberhoff, the president of the Board of Directors of the Texas EMS Alliance, expressed his approval for the bill, stating that it not only includes telehealth services but also offers nearly precise locations for individuals dialing 9-1-1 from a mobile phone. Additionally, it can serve as an educational resource for new paramedics.
Oberhoff emphasized the importance of envisioning individuals who are not regularly engaged in performing CPR or have never done it on an actual patient, despite being certified. However, he reassured that there are highly skilled professionals available who possess excellent training and can guide and assist them through the process.
Oberhoff stated that if the health university continues to grow and enhance its program, it has the potential to serve as a blueprint for other institutions.
Oberhoff stated that other states will be observing the outcome and seeking updates on the success of the initiative in relation to first responders.
Starting from September 1, the act will come into force. The expenses associated with the program will be covered by fees obtained from specific telephone accounts designated for 911 services. According to a fiscal analysis presented to legislators, the program is projected to incur an annual cost of approximately $250,000 for the following five years.
Philips stated that as the program resumes, the primary emphasis will be on the Trans-Pecos region once more. The objective is to expand it further, enabling a greater number of rural communities to embrace these practices.
Philips stated that the issue in urban areas is related to distance, whereas in this specific location, it is a matter of time. Therefore, the challenge lies in ensuring individuals reach their desired destinations at the appropriate moment. To tackle this, they are harnessing the potential of technology.
Disclosure: Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
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