EMS Systems Development

The Abaris Group and its principals have been actively involved in EMS system planning for the past 30 years. We specialize in strategic planning and program implementation for pre-hospital, ambulance service delivery and total EMS system studies. We also have significant experience with designing contemporary and financially stable EMS systems. Many of our projects have been located in mature managed care markets and we have demonstrated their success over the years.

We are experts on the organization of pre-hospital care systems, their financing, cost sensitivities and positioning for the changing dynamics of the health-care market. Our studies have extended to public (fire and public health), private, third service, joint venture consortiums and their successful implementation. We specialize in conducting analysis of pre-hospital care systems, ranging from design, cost, and care capabilities to integration with the managed care market.

Three recent EMS plans that The Abaris Group developed called for contemporary and visionary EMS delivery systems consistent with an integrated EMS and health-care delivery model. These three system plans included Contra Costa County (CA), Wood River/Sawtooth EMS Plan (ID) and the El Paso County EMS Plan (CO). Each EMS system is customized based on local needs and characteristics.

One of these projects, the Wood River/Sawtooth EMS Region (Sun Valley, Idaho area), called for an innovative approach to EMS in a rural and mountainous area. This is the first rural EMS plan in the country to follow the rural guidelines set forth in the NHTSA publication EMS Agenda for the Future. The plan incorporates several innovative elements and steps that may assist other rural regions in the country to evaluate and implement improved EMS systems.

These features include:

  • employing a "needs analysis" method of determining areas for improvement
  • conceptualization of a customized EMS region for planning purposes
  • design of plan around a comprehensive EMS system
  • development of a broadly representative regional governance model
  • use of a consensus methodology for developing the goals and objectives of the plan
  • mission commitment by key stakeholders to set aside jurisdictional biases to the goals of a quality EMS system
  • use of creative and innovative delivery methods to achieve system redesign
  • adherence to the framework of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) EMS Agenda for the Future for rural areas.
  • Key EMS System Development Services
  • Development
  • Long-term funding
  • Planning & implementation
  • Program review
  • Provider procurement
  • RFP design and analysis