Could a patient-centered collaboration between an independent physician association (IPA), healthcare organizations and first responders put an end to the over-utilization of emergency resources?
That was the high-stakes question in 2015 facing Northwest Physicians Network, an IPA serving Pierce County in Washington State, as it embarked on a program to lower high utilization of 911 services. NPN’s goal was simple: To work closely with stakeholders to address overutilization of the region’s emergency services. But the task of lowering utilization was not easy and coming together with likeminded organizations was only half the battle.