University Hospitals Launches Emergency Medical Services Accountable Care Network

CLEVELAND – University Hospitals (UH) is launching an Emergency Medical Services Accountable Care Network that will align with regional EMS providers to improve patient care, decrease costs and demonstrate value. The new EMS Accountable Care Network (EMSACN) is a network of EMS providers working together, using proven protocols and ongoing measurement designed to support EMS innovation in an evolving health care environment.

In response to the evolving health care landscape, many care providers are joining others to form Clinically Integrated Networks (CINs). Accountable care networks comprise doctors, hospitals and other health care providers who work together voluntarily to deliver coordinated care to the defined patient populations they serve. Coordinated care helps ensure that patients – especially those with chronic illnesses – get the right care at the right place at the right time, without unnecessary duplication of services or reductions in value.

The EMSACN coordinated environment enables participating EMS providers to increase value by creating a low-cost, high-quality unified health care network that is delivered outside of the hospital. “New EMS models emphasize payment innovation, ease of access to care and enhanced quality made possible through mobile resources, technology and communications systems. In fact, providers of emergency care can be powerful agents in prevention,” said Mark Schario, MS, RN, President, UH Quality Care Network.

There is a 9-1-1 call for EMS every other second in the United States. Medical evidence in recent decades shows that EMS response and intervention dramatically improves survival from various acute illnesses and injuries. EMS triage, clinical care and transportation to an appropriate facility have direct influence on survival and quality outcomes as well as downstream health care costs. EMS now plays a critical role not only in responding to acute conditions, but in public health, public safety and community well-being. As a result, the capacity for out-of-hospital care providers to save lives, manage community disasters, triage, treat and transport complex conditions has increased dramatically.

“As our front-line team, EMS providers have an important and largely untapped role in improving our health care system. The EMSACN formalizes a vehicle to activate EMS providers in our shared pursuit of high-value and person-centered care,” said Peter Pronovost, MD, PhD, UH Chief Clinical Transformation Officer.

UH is hosting an EMSACN participant meeting on April 30 from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Global Center for Healthcare Innovation, 1 St. Clair Ave., NE, Cleveland, 44114. Area fire and EMS chiefs throughout Northeast Ohio will gather to learn about the EMSACN opportunity, logistics of participation, and hear from national thought leaders in EMS Innovation and Quality Improvement.

Participation is voluntary and there is no cost to participate. Additionally, participating agencies may opt out at any time and a non-exclusive arrangement does not prevent or limit participation in other similar networks. For more information about EMSACN, direct your inquiries to