With the increase in COVID-19 cases in our community, the number of calls to Columbus Regional Health Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has also risen. The increase in calls is mostly due to cough and fever concerns.

We encourage community members who are concerned about symptoms they have to call the Columbus Regional Health COVID-19 Triage Resource Call Center (812-379-4449).

For those individuals who have concerns outside of the Triage Resource Call Center’s hours (7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.), our Emergency Medical Services team is prepared to help patients receive the appropriate level of care.

Ambulance Services Manager Adam Hoskins saw the need to be able to provide a consistent message during the hours the Triage Resource Call Center is not taking calls to help alleviate callers’ concerns as well as to avoid unnecessary visits to the Emergency Room.

Adam worked with Quality Assurance Manager Tere Kaufman, who oversees the Triage Resource Call Center, to learn how her team of nurses triages callers during the day to provide that same messaging at night.

“In reaching out to me to get the protocols and verbiage, we were able to share our exact wording and provide a consistent message to give to the community that would let everyone know we were all working together to provide the best care,” said Tere.

“I appreciate Adam’s concern for the safety of the community, relieving the burden on the Emergency Department and protecting the general population from possible exposure. His initiative was a great example of our mission to improve the health and well-being of the people we serve.”

Due to the added precautions around COVID-19, when a caller has been determined to be a positive screen (showing specific signs and symptoms), Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians are sent to the house and must wear personal protective equipment, gowns, and gloves.

Upon arriving at the caller’s home, when EMS/Fire personnel encounter stable patients not in need of immediate emergency care, EMS will provide advice for short-term quarantine procedures throughout the remainder of the night.

Those individuals are then given instructions to call the Triage Resource Call Center the next morning for further direction.

Individuals who are in need of immediate care are taken to the Emergency Room.

Following these ambulance runs, a full decontamination of the personnel, ambulance, and equipment occurs in order to have a sanitized vehicle and equipment for the next run. In total, between 10 and 12 of these possible COVID-19 runs are conducted daily.

This additional training to support emergency calls overnight is a great benefit for our EMS team, but especially for community members who may not need medical transport or a visit to the Emergency Room.

Employee Relief Fund

Columbus Regional Health appreciates our dedicated workforce members serving every day to make our patients and community a priority. Their dedication, passion and commitment to their profession often come before personal obligations.

Times of uncertainty and stress are challenging in many ways, which is why Columbus Regional Health Foundation has created the CRH Employee Relief Fund to assist eligible CRH employees who are experiencing financial barriers caused by this life-altering crisis, including expenses such as basic housing, transportation, or childcare needs.

To support CRH employees, text crhrelief to 202-858-1233 or visit the link below.

Donate