New Initiative Aims to Reduce Emergency Room Burden in East Bay

Residents of Contra Costa County are set to benefit from a new initiative aimed at alleviating the pressure on emergency medical services. The Healthcare Literacy Council of Contra Costa County has launched the “Right Care, Right Way” campaign, designed to educate locals about navigating their health care options. This program seeks to address the significant number of non-life-threatening emergency calls, which accounted for nearly one in five of the 116,000 ambulance responses in 2024.

The campaign primarily targets individuals enrolled in Medicare and Medi-Cal, helping them understand their health coverage better. By empowering residents with knowledge about their options, the initiative aims to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and direct patients toward more appropriate and cost-effective care.

Addressing Emergency Services Overload

The pilot program, introduced by County Supervisor Diane Burgis, is a collaboration with the Contra Costa Fire Protection District, Kaiser Permanente, and Contra Costa Health. According to Xon Burris Jr., assistant fire chief of the emergency medical services division, approximately 20% of ambulance calls are for non-emergency situations. Burris indicated that this figure may be even higher due to the nature of advanced life support (ALS) dispatches, which can be triggered by system demands rather than genuine emergencies.

Fire District Chief Lewis Broschard emphasized the challenges faced in providing emergency medical services, stating, “We’ve created a fiscally sustainable model, but we realized that we were running up against operational barriers.” He stated that the initiative aims to shift the dynamics of health care access, reducing reliance on emergency departments and the 911 system.

Personal Experiences Shape the Initiative

Supervisor Burgis has personal insights into the complexities of the health care system, having undergone open-heart surgery at a young age and navigating care for a son with a rare genetic disease. “I have had that experience and know how hard it is,” she remarked. Her efforts reflect a broader concern about overcrowded emergency rooms, which could be mitigated if residents better understood how to access primary care.

Burgis highlighted the importance of establishing a primary care physician for better health outcomes. “If you don’t need to go to the emergency room, can you call an advice nurse or go to urgent care?” she asked. This proactive approach could not only enhance patient health but also alleviate pressure on emergency services and lower overall costs.

Health Director Grant Colfax underscored the campaign’s relevance in light of nationwide shifts in health care access. “Having coverage is not the same as knowing how to use it,” he stated, emphasizing the goal of bridging that gap through education.

The program has an initial funding allocation of $750,000 and is set to operate through 2026. Outreach will focus on communities in Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, and other unincorporated areas such as Bethel Island and Byron. Plans are also underway to expand the initiative across the county as it develops.

Residents can learn more about the “Right Care, Right Way” campaign by visiting the website at rightcarerightway.org. Additionally, the council has appointed eight students from Los Medanos College as ambassadors. These students will receive training to effectively communicate health care information within their communities.

Second-year nursing student Monique Grant expressed enthusiasm for engaging the community. “I plan on getting the word out there,” she said, noting plans to canvas local churches, businesses, and grocery stores to raise awareness about the program.

This initiative represents a significant step towards improving health care literacy and access in Contra Costa County, ultimately aiming to save lives and reduce the strain on emergency medical services.