Starting this month, Dougherty County EMS will begin using RightSite Health, a telehealth and patient navigation service that helps 911 callers get the appropriate level of care, from their home when an emergency room visit isn't needed. Additionally, RightSite Health provides patients wrap-around services to address any additional barriers to healthcare. In a world of issues with access to healthcare and hospital overcrowding, this is an example of how Dougherty County is doing everything within our power to ensure healthcare is accessible to everyone and to improve efficiency in our emergency services.

Quotes:

“This gives our medics a better way to help callers who don’t need an ambulance. This keeps our units available for the more serious calls where minutes count,” said EMS Director Gibney.

“It’s a win for our citizens across the board—faster and more convenient healthcare, lower costs for patients, reducing the burden of overcrowding on our hospital system, and helping people connect to resources that will reduce their chances of becoming dependent on our emergency services,” said EMS Director Gibney.

RightSite’s CEO Jamo Rubin, MD, “We’re proud to partner with Dougherty County to bring ER-level care into people’s homes. Our goal is to get the patient the correct level of healthcare for their problem, to do so in a cost-effective manner, and afterwards connect them with resources to make their lives better.”

What is RightSite?

A service that connects 911 callers to ER doctors from the safety of their home, designed to get the patient the right level of care for their problem. In most cases, when RightSite is contacted by the 911 service, an ambulance transport to the Emergency Room is not needed. RightSite also provides navigation wrap-around services to help patients navigate the healthcare system and ensure healthcare is accessible to everyone.

Why is our City using it?

To get people the right level of care for their problem. RightSite is simply another tool available to emergency service providers to deliver faster care, avoid unnecessary ambulance transports, reduce Emergency Room overcrowding, and ensure that people are connected to the resources they need to make their lives better.

How does it help me?

When the emergency provider contacts RightSite, you get immediate video telehealth care from a board-certified ER doctor from the safety and security of your home or current location. You avoid the lines, waiting and expense at an Emergency Room. Additionally, RightSite Navigators will connect you to follow-up care or help with transportation, prescription delivery, and other resources that can help you, if needed.

Will I be charged?

You will not be asked for any payment at the time of the telehealth visit. If you have insurance, your health plan will be billed for a telehealth visit just like any other doctor visit. The cost of a telehealth visit is much lower than the cost of an ambulance transport and an Emergency room visit. You may be responsible for deductibles or copays as determined by your health plan.