Physicians team up with emergency services
Mercyhealth’s emergency field vehicles, called MD-1, offer additional physician-level field support to EMS on critical calls. Our four-wheel-drive MD-1 vehicles are used to drive directly to a scene where physician support is necessary to help stabilize a patient prior to transfer or if the EMS crew requires additional patient care capabilities en route to the hospital. There are currently four MD-1 vehicles staffed by residency trained emergency medicine physicians. Vehicles are stationed in Rock, Walworth, and Winnebago counties. A fourth vehicle is used as a spare and for prolonged incidents.
For 24/7 Emergency response, MD-1 can be contacted by the dispatch center upon incident commander request at 1-800-MD-REACT. MD-1 does not respond to citizen requests and will only respond upon formal request of an authorized emergency service. MD-1 will respond automatically as determined by the on call physician with EMS agencies under Mercyhealth Medical Direction. Agencies not under our medical direction will need to formally request a response. Agencies and patients are not billed for our services.
Each MD-1 is a certified emergency vehicle equipped with:
- Emergency lighting and siren
- Public safety radios
- Maps and GPS navigation
- Personal protective equipment
- Extrication equipment
- Rehab supplies
- LUCAS 2 mechanical (hands-free) CPR device
- Zoll X Series monitor/defibrillator
- Glidescope video intubation unit
- Medications with secure storage
- Chest tubes
- Tourniquets
- Field amputation equipment
- Triage kit
- Comfort items for patients and EMS crews
MD-1 does not replace EMS teams already in the field. It serves as additional support in field trauma cases.
MD-1 has been a welcome addition to the community and has received state and national attention. News and recognition of MD-1 has been shared via:
- FM and AM radio interviews
- Gazette newspaper articles
- Local Vision TV interview
- Farm rescue training article
- Numerous community events
- Fire department open houses
- National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) conference lecture
- Describing the program to interested individuals at gas pumps