Hospitals, Startups

Dispatch Health medical director explains its acute care sweet spot

Among Dispatch Health's target patients are seniors with limited access to care, household healthcare decision makers, busy executives, and injured workers

Dispatch Health raised seed funding for its doctor-on-call service that’s prepared to respond to acute care concerns at home, the office or at senior care facilities. But in response to emailed questions, Medical Director Dr. Phil Mitchell clarified for MedCity News the niche areas wants to fill between non emergency care and situations better handled by an emergency department.

Mitchell explained that the company sees itself not as a competitor to hospitals and EMS groups but as complementing them. “We can help treat patients that do not need the extensive services of the hospital or 911 system.”

The company currently employs 17, which includes seven nurse practitioners and five “virtual doctors.” Mitchell said it plans to use the seed funding to grow its staff ranks over the next four months.

“We will be growing the remainder of 2015 — expanding the number of clinicians (emergency medical technicians, nurse practitioners, and virtual MDs) as well as building our marketing, technology, finance and sales departments.”

It also wants to gradually build a fleet of vehicles, starting with its first car making its debut August 18. “We will be expanding the number of vehicles quickly in the Denver metro area the remainder of 2015 into early 2016,” Mitchell said.

Although it bills insurance directly for the care provided, it charges an “affordable” flat fee for uninsured patients.

Among its target patients are seniors with limited access to care, household healthcare decision makers, busy executives, and injured workers. Pediatric patients with a high fever or chest infections would also be on its list. Here’s a run down of other areas Mitchell either identified as on its radar and beyond its purview.

Allergic reaction? How serious? “Yes, unless it involved airway compromise or it was felt that the patient was in severe distress and should be seen emergently in a hospital.”
Asthma attack? “Yes, again, most people seek help when moderately ill.  If severe they may need to go to the hospital.”
Suspected concussion? “Yes, we have specific expertise in this arena.”
Seniors: falls, respiratory problems? “Yes, absolutely.  This is where we would be at our best. We see these patients in the Emergency Department all of the time and feel that most could be cared for at home.”
Suspected stroke? “No, this is time sensitive and needs to go to the hospital.”

Mitchell added that it will continue to expand its services in the Denver area through 2015 and continuing into early 2016. It does plan to add partnerships with employers, payers, senior facilities, health systems and the 911 system. It also plans to increase its footprint in 2016.

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