Humboldt General Hospital - Rescue Bike Patrol

Overview

In May 2009, Humboldt General Hospital’ s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department launched a “Rescue Bike Patrol” program during Winnemucca’s annual “Run-A-Mucca ” event held over Memorial Day weekend. Run-A-Mucca is a three-day motorcycle rally that draws more than 900 motorcycles and approximately 5,000 visitors to the small desert town to enjoy a vintage motorcycle show, stunt show, various demonstrations and concerts, as well as numerous vendor and food booths. To accommodate the large number of people and equipment that converge on Winnemucca, the town closes many streets to normal traffic. Despite the closed and crowded streets, travelling via mountain bikes enabled the hospital’s paramedics to move through crowed areas with ease. Since the inception of this innovative community service program, the Rescue Bike Patrol has deployed to nearly a hundred different public and private special events. Paramedics working with the Rescue Bike Patrol program regularly attend rodeos, carnivals, and other large community events.

Impact

The paramedic bike team has responded to numerous 911-activated calls and hundreds of small incidents, demonstrating that Humboldt’s EMS department can provide quality patient care in a challenging environment. Rescue bikes were equipped with first-aid and trauma supplies including oxygen tanks, some front line medications, masks, and a defibrillator. In case of a medical emergency, the team was equipped to stabilize patients while waiting for a traditional ambulance. Individuals in need of medical care were attended to promptly. On-the-spot treatment of minor ailments and injuries is thought to have reduced unnecessary visits to the emergency department. The team has also played a pivotal role in a number of other community-wide events including the Fourth of July celebration, parades, and car races. The bike teams have also played a large part in promoting the hospital’s “Headstrong,” a public health initiative that emphasizes the importance of helmet use to local youngsters.

Challenges/success factors

Winnemucca’s location and climate have made it a popular place for several large annual events and celebrations throughout the year. The hospital has received positive feedback on the Rescue Bike Patrol from community residents, event organizers, and visitors.

Future direction/sustainability

The mountain bikes were purchased from a local bike shop that gave the hospital a discount when it learned why the bikes were being purchased. The bikes were outfitted with saddle bags to carry supplies and equipment. Two of the hospital’s paramedics volunteered their time for the first event; since then, others in the EMS department have volunteered their time for bike patrol. Given the low cost and the positive reaction to the Rescue Bike Patrol, Humboldt General will continue to provide this service at appropriate community events – helping and caring for those in need, with rapid and efficient medical response in areas where ambulance response would be slowed down due to overcrowded streets.

Currently there is a push by some lawmakers to require that formal Emergency Medical Services be provided at large special events. Hospitals that opt to institute bike EMS teams, or other special event medical teams, may find that these programs can produce new revenue sources from the fees charged. Additionally, these types of teams can help ensure that both local and out-of-town participants that become injured or fall ill during a special event use your hospital instead of a competitor.

Advice to others

When developing a new program, you have to get outside the box, both financially and operationally, and make use of existing local partnerships and/or build new ones.

Contact: Pat Songer
Director, Emergency Medical Services
Telephone: 775-623-5222
E-mail: psonger@hghospital.ws