Ambulance use soars

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News

November 10, 2010 - 12:00 AM

Through the end of October, Allen County ambulances have made 140 more runs than during the first 10 months of 2009.
The biggest share of the increase was from emergency runs, 402 this year compared to 337 last, and dry runs, 293 this year and 209 last, Jason Nelson, ambulance director, told county commissioners Tuesday morning.
Dry runs are when a patient is not transported, but is evaluated and often treated, Nelson said.
Runs transferring patients from one hospital, usually Allen County’s, to another also were up, by 12, to 275.
The only negative number was for hospital-nursing home transfers, down 21 from 38 a year ago. In Iola, that responsibility now belongs to Iola Ambulance Service.
Runs continue to mount, Nelson said.
“As of (Tuesday) morning, we’re had 1,031 this year,” he said.
The financial bottom line also is better.
Cash receipts for 2010 through Monday of this week were $482,911.31, $39,369.28 more than for the same period in 2009.

COMMISSIONERS gave Nelson permission to give a new staffing plan a three-month trial.
Ambulance employees will be on duty 48 hours and off 96, or two full days on duty and four off.
“That will give them more time with family and be an advantage for those who travel from out of county to work for us,” Nelson said.
The ambulance service, with units stationed in Iola, Moran and Humboldt, has 32 employees, including nine full-time paramedics and seven part-time.

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