Greenville Reporter

Community-based health partners, ECU Health, and Pitt County Department of Social Services convened in October for the second session of a conference series aimed at supporting emergency departments and enhancing access to non-emergent care in eastern North Carolina. The discussions revolved around seven key priorities identified during the first session earlier in October. These priorities are intended to address the shared goal of reducing unnecessary use of Greenville's emergency department.

The identified priorities include improving patient placement into appropriate care settings outside emergency departments, defining roles and responsibilities within the system, enhancing collaboration among systems and agencies, clarifying crisis system operations, ensuring robust community support options, providing clarity on service access points, and reducing regulatory barriers to improve operational efficiency.

Jacob Parrish, vice president of capacity and throughput at ECU Health and one of the conference organizers stated: “This was a moment for us as a health care community to not only clearly define the challenges facing the patients we serve but to also explore how we can implement solutions that improve the emergency care realities here in eastern North Carolina.”

The conference brought together representatives from ECU Health, DSS Directors from across eastern North Carolina, Juvenile Justice, Trillium Health Services, Public School leaders, NC DHHS, payors, faith leaders, other hospitals in eastern North Carolina, and key stakeholders. Discussions covered both adult and pediatric/adolescent populations who might be better served outside emergency departments.

Education and outreach emerged as common themes during discussions. Organizations emphasized educating patients directly while also understanding each other's roles within the care continuum.

ECU Health underscored an increasing demand for emergency department services due to limited access to routine primary care resources. This situation often results in non-critical cases being directed to emergency departments unnecessarily. Dr. Leigh Patterson of ECU Health Medical Center remarked: “Our commitment to improving emergency care access and efficiency for our patients is unwavering... By addressing the root causes that lead to emergency department overutilization, we’re working to not only improve the experience for our patients but also strengthening health care in our region.”

A third session is planned by ECU Health and Pitt County DSS to further discuss action items and strategies aimed at fostering greater collaboration within the community.