Edward Hospital Launching Non-Emergency Ambulance Service

has announced the creation of Edward Ambulance Services, a joint venture with Community Emergency Medical Service, Inc. (Community EMS) of Southfield, Mich., which will provide non-911 ambulance transportation throughout Edward’s service area in the west and southwest suburbs of Chicago.

The joint venture – between a healthcare provider and ambulance service – is the first of its kind in the Chicago area.

“With the focus on healthcare reform and emphasis on the quality and cost of healthcare, we’re implementing measures to become more efficient, better coordinate care and improve patient satisfaction,” says Bill Kottmann, President of Edward Health Ventures.  “It also ensures patients will receive the same Edward experience throughout their care.”

"We see Edward as a perfect addition to our mission of facilitating medical and non-medical logistics for healthcare delivery systems nationally,” says Jamey Baker, Executive Vice President of Community EMS and CEO of the joint venture.  “We are honored to partner with an organization of the quality and reputation of Edward Hospital."

Edward Ambulance Services will operate 24/7 beginning September 1 and handle non-911 requests with a goal of being at a patient’s bedside in 30 minutes or less.  Patients, their families and caregivers will be able to arrange for transportation between Edward and area rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care and assisted living centers.

In addition, the service will handle patient transfers from the Edward Plainfield ER 24/7 to Edward Hospital in Naperville and other area hospitals on request, and on Edward’s Naperville campus (between the Main Hospital and Linden Oaks at Edward and Edward helipad).

The joint venture will hire nearly 30 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, who’ll be trained by Edward, to make up the care teams for the service.  Illinois-licensed EMTs and paramedics who are interested in applying should visit www.edwardambulance.org.

Edward Ambulance Services will launch with four new ambulances, each with state-of-the-art technology and equipment to provide high-quality medical transportation.

Parastar, Inc. (www.parastar.net), a national EMS management and consulting firm headquartered in Southfield, MI, will manage the joint venture.  Community EMS and Parastar have developed and managed multiple hospital sponsored ambulance services across the country for nearly 30 years.