POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Rivers Health, in close collaboration with Mason County EMS and the Mason County Commission, has significantly upgraded its interfacility ambulance transport service to a continuous 24-hour, seven-days-a-week operation. This pivotal expansion marks a major step forward in local healthcare infrastructure, ensuring that critical non-emergency transfers between medical facilities are available around the clock for the community.
This crucial announcement follows a highly successful year-long pilot initiative, initially launched in June 2023. The original agreement, a concerted effort among the county commission, emergency medical services, and Rivers Health, established a dedicated ambulance specifically for non-emergency interfacility transports, operating daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The fundamental objective behind this specialized service was to alleviate the strain on Mason County’s 911 emergency ambulances. By segregating non-emergency transfers from urgent calls, the program aimed to markedly enhance overall emergency response times throughout Mason County, simultaneously providing a reliable and streamlined option for patient movement between various healthcare institutions.
Under the terms of the initiative, a single ambulance was exclusively assigned to manage interfacility transfers, such as movements from one hospital to another, or from clinics to hospitals. This strategic separation of responsibilities effectively ensured that emergency services could remain fully focused on critical, life-threatening situations without diversion for routine patient transfers.
The formal announcement of this vital program’s expansion took place Wednesday, attended by key figures dedicated to public service and health. Mason County Commission President Rick Handley, alongside Commissioners Sam Nibert and Chris Johnson, and County Administrator Jason Bechtle, were present. They were joined by EMS Director Scott Ballard and Rivers Health Chief Operating Officer Justin Turner, highlighting the collaborative nature of this community-focused endeavor.
Further emphasizing the program’s enhanced capabilities, Commissioner Chris Johnson stated, “Currently we have updated from 12-hour transport coverage to 24-hour coverage. A Class 3 paramedic will be in the transport truck, and do all of the transports for Rivers Health, whether it’s to another facility, or another hospital.” This underscores the commitment to professional, continuous care.
Commission President Rick Handley reiterated the necessity of this expansion, observing that the prior 12-hour service window frequently proved insufficient to meet the dynamic and often unpredictable needs of the community, particularly for late-night transport requirements. The 24/7 service now ensures that residents have access to necessary medical transfers at any hour, reinforcing the region’s commitment to comprehensive public health and safety.
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