News

Olympic Ambulance to provide interfacility transport services to patients needing higher level of care.

(ELMA, WA) – Most patients who seek care at Summit Pacific’s Emergency Department are treated and released after receiving the care they need. However, sometimes patients need to be transported to a regional hospital for a higher level of care where critical services are available. This might be due to a stroke, cardiac event, or other severe illness.

“We want to provide the best possible care to our patients. Because of our size, part of our job is to decide if we can meet a patient’s needs, and if not, then where can the patient receive the care they need, and how can we get the patient there quickly,” said Summit Pacific’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ken Dietrich.

Beginning on May 1, Summit Pacific will begin its partnership with Olympic Ambulance to provide patients with ambulance transports from Summit Pacific to other medical facilities.

Olympic Ambulance serves Thurston, Mason, Kitsap, Clallam and now Grays Harbor County. They offer both advanced life support (ALS) services and basic life support (BLS) services. The type of transport service, ALS or BLS, is determined by the needs of the patient.

Transportation has been an ongoing and multifaceted challenge across the state, and within Grays Harbor County. As a result of multiple healthcare and COVID-19 related factors, Summit Pacific found transfer delays putting patients at risk. “This interfacility transportation component is critical to a successful outcome for our patients and timely transportation for those acutely ill patients is essential,” said Hospital Commissioner and Board Chair, Andrew Hooper.

“Establishing a partnership with Olympic Ambulance means we’re going to be able to get our patients to the right hospital, with the right providers to care for them, as quickly as possible. They’re experienced and we’re confident in handing over our patients to them. They’re really going to add to the health and the safety of our community,” said Dr. Dietrich.

Summit Pacific, in partnership with Olympic Ambulance, have created a video for the community explaining the new partnership and what it means for patients. The video can be found online here.

View the full press release here.