The R.N. told her 911 was contacted and help was on the way. He also asked her where she was – it was different than the one listed in our system so he contacted EMS with the correct address. The member was transported to an area hospital and admitted into the ICU with severe hypoxia – evidence she was near respiratory arrest. The alert CSR and tenacious R.N. probably saved this young woman’s life.

This success is due to the fact that the CSR contacted the R.N. who took several crucial actions including contacting 911 when he could not reach the member the first time, obtaining the member’s correct location and then contacting 911 to reroute them. Most importantly, when the member told him she was “breathing normally,” the R.N. did not cancel the EMS response.

It is possible that she was not, in fact, “breathing normally,” but rather had just stopped having symptoms such as wheezing because she was not actually moving any air in and out of her lungs. Respiratory arrest would follow almost immediately if that was the case.

The two Nurse Response employees were recognized for saving a caller’s life.

From 1994 through 2004, the number of Emergency Department (ED) visits in the United States increased from 93.4 million to 110.2 million visits annually. Increased trends in non-emergent ED visits pose a significant financial impact on hospitals, health plans, provider groups, colleges and universities and community health centers. These organizations are faced with the challenge of migrating patients from obtaining episodic primary care at the ED to getting those services in a more appropriate setting, such as from a primary care physician.

The Nurse Response Solution

Nurse Response is a medical triage phone service that provides organizations with 24-hour healthcare advice and assistance for their patients or members. Nurse Response triage nurses are experienced professionals who have the knowledge to help patients with immediate health concerns make informed decisions.

Through continuous in depth assessment and evaluation, Nurse Response continually improves systems, processes and products to support the highest quality care delivery to our clients.

Proven Results

Nurse Response clients realize proven cost savings when utilizing the Nurse Response triage solution. In a study conducted from January 1, 2006, to November 30, 2006, clients received cost savings of $658,260 when their patients followed the advice of the Nurse Response triage nurses.

Ear infections are the most common illnesses in babies and young children. Most often, the infection affects the middle ear and is called otitis media. The tubes inside the ears become clogged with fluid and mucus. This can affect hearing, because sound cannot get through all that fluid.

If your child does not yet talk, you need to look for signs of an infection:

• Tugging at ears
• Crying more than usual
• Ear drainage
• Trouble sleeping
• Balance difficulties
• Hearing problems

Often, ear infections go away on their own, but your health care provider may recommend pain relievers. Severe infections and infections in young babies may require antibiotics. Children who get frequent infections may need surgery to place small tubes inside their ears. The tubes relieve pressure in the ears so that the child can hear again.

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders