"Escambia County Introduces 'Tele911' to Improve 911 Call Efficiency"

Escambia County in Florida has launched a new telemedicine program called Tele911, which allows 911 callers to consult with a doctor virtually before an ambulance is dispatched. The aim is to free up ambulances for more urgent cases, as many calls are for non-emergency issues. The program has already reduced unnecessary 911 calls and helped paramedics and EMTs make more informed decisions about transporting patients to the hospital. Since its implementation in January, there have been 193 Tele911 interactions with patients.