Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Grant - Regional Services Designation Grant

Emergency Medical Services Grant

Funder: SD Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO)

Status: Active project (December 2024 - December 2026)

Geographic Scope: South Dakota

Funding Source: American Rescue Plan Act

Background

In November 2023, South Dakota released the South Dakota Regional Service Designation Ambulance System Study, which provided comprehensive analysis of the current state of EMS and offered findings and recommendations for improvement with intention of long-term sustainability.

Problem Addressed

The grant addresses the delay in non-emergency patient inter-facility transfers when a local ambulance service is unavailable. This delay drains limited resources for staffing, creates inefficiencies, and has potential for poor patient outcomes.

Project Goal

Successfully implement a statewide interfacility transfer software platform (Ryde Central portal) for hospitals and ambulance services by end of November 2026.

Project Description

• Creates a single portal where neighboring ambulance services can view and select available transfers
• Hospital staff enter non-life-threatening interfacility transfers or other non-emergent transport requests into the Ryde Central portal
• System automatically notifies participating EMS providers using tiered distribution process
• Providers in first tier receive notifications first and may accept, propose alternative time, or decline request
• If provider declines or proposes outside acceptable window, request automatically escalates to next-tier EMS provider(s)
• System assigns transport to agency meeting facility's requested time, or closest available time if not possible

Project Partners

• Dell Rapids Ambulance Services
• Sioux Falls (Patient Care) Ambulance Services
• SDAHO

Steering Committee

Provides oversight and guidance on project implementation. Members consist of state representatives, ambulance agencies, Project Director, and SDAHO staff.

Timeline

December 2024 - December 2026

Contact Information

Mary Adams Email: Mary.Adams@sdaho.org