Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD) Launches Innovative EMS Pilot Program At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

On Wednesday, May 4th, 2022, the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD) announces partnership with RightSite Health for a new pilot program, in order to decrease transport calls for non-life-threatening emergency medical services (EMS), at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

New pilot program for ATL

The program will help provide patients with medical guidance and transport in urgent-but-non-emergency situations, in order to navigate away from the emergency room to more appropriate and lower-cost in-network providers.

Fire Chief at the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD), Roderick M. Smith, said “This innovation benefits all who travel through Hartsfield-Jackson. The goal is to provide patients with appropriate medical care without depleting the resources required for life-threating incidents.”

AFRD - RightSite Health partnership

Roderick M. Smith adds, “We are confident that the partnership with RiteSite will ensure our local healthcare system will work more effectively and enhance the delivery of care provided in the future.”

AFRD established the program's implementation, after Atlanta Medical Center South announced the closing of the emergency department and hospital beds.

RiteSite Health

RiteSite option will be provided to patients with a non-emergent status the option of telemedicine

For the pilot program, the RiteSite option will be provided to patients with a non-emergent status the option of telemedicine and local urgent care appointments.

This will be directed at the approximately 25% of all EMS not requiring an Emergency Department visit, allowing the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department to return to service in nearly 30 minutes, thereby ensuring all five EMS Transport Units & crews staffed at ATL are available when needed.

RiteSite Health offers:

• An improved care quality by increasing in-network access outside of the Emergency Room
• Ensures patients and plans achieve the highest quality, lowest cost care
• Help patients use in-network providers to avoid surprise bills
• Telehealth emergency physician triage and non-ER appointment and transportation service

Safe environment for passengers and employees

“The Hartsfield-Jackson team prides itself on providing a safe environment for our passengers and employees,” said Balram Bheodari, General Manager at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

Balram Bheodari adds, “This program will allow us to ensure their safety, while securing resources for more serious emergency calls. Our collaboration with AFRD is aligned with our strategic pillar - People - with a focus on safety. We look forward to RightSite’s implementation.”  

Under the current model, of the approximately 1,000 911 calls that ATL generates each month, 51% of all current transports are taken to AMC South. The average out-of-service time for transport exceeds more than two hours.