HASC convened a recent meeting of San Bernardino County hospitals and the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency (ICEMA) to conduct follow-up discussions regarding emergency department (ED) crowding. ED utilization in the region has continued to see large increases, with a 20 percent increase in ambulance transports to San Bernardino County hospital EDs since 2009. In addition, San Bernardino sees a larger population through the ED than even state averages: 360 visits per 1,000 relative to the state average of 320 per 1,000.

The meeting, which consisted of further discussion to find potential solutions, consisted of 12 hospital CEOs, ICEMA staff and the medical director from San Bernardino County Public Health. There was agreement that this is truly a system issue that will require collaboration to find relief. The group agreed to convene several work groups to look at best practices not only in hospitals but also EMS, ambulance and behavioral health best practices.

Additional work groups will also look at regulatory issues and operational issues. These groups will meet over the coming months and present best practices through the HASC Emergency Health Services committee.

Contact: Dimitrios Alexiou
(951) 222-2284, dalexiou@hasc.org