Case Study

MedServ Management Services
Client: Palmetto Health Richland Hospital
Columbia, SC

Background
Palmetto Health, South Carolina’s largest and most comprehensive not-for-profit health resource, is composed of three outstanding hospitals—Palmetto Health Richland, Palmetto Health Baptist Columbia, and Palmetto Health Baptist Easley. The 1,247-bed system is a JCAHO-accredited institution and has more than 7,500 employees and 1,100 physicians. The CareForce air medical program was started in 1998 to provide rapid air response for scene flight in support of local and regional EMS agencies. It was also the dream of the leaders of Palmetto Health to have a comprehensive statewide air medical program.

The Challenge
In 2001, it became apparent that CareForce had run into financial difficulties. It also was not growing in keeping with the vision of its founders.

The Solution
After looking at alternatives, it was decided that the best course of action was for MedServ to take responsibility for all aspects of the CareForce program, including operations, employees, billing and collections. Soon after assuming responsibility, MedServ expanded the CareForce program to include a second half-time helicopter, out-based on a rotating basis to the communities of Barnwell, Bamberg and Manning.

The Outcome
At the same time that MedServ took over CareForce, another air medical provider, Air Methods’ LifeNet division, assumed responsibility for operating the LifeReach program at Providence Hospital in Columbia. Air Methods moved aggressively into the EMS market, which LifeReach had not previously served, instead concentrating on inter-facility transports in support of their cardiac services.

Because of the overlap of services, and because the two programs were located only a few miles from each other, talks were initiated among Palmetto Health, Providence Heart Center, Air Methods and MedServ. An agreement was reached whereby Air Methods would operate a new merged program called LifeNet South Carolina and Palmetto, Providence, and MedServ would serve on the advisory board to continue to provide oversight and direction. A medical advisory board was also formed to provide clinical leadership and management of the program’s protocols and medical staff training.

In May 2007, LifeNet South Carolina began operating out of three bases in Irmo (Columbia/Lexington metropolitan area), Camden, and Orangeburg with three full-time aircraft. Bamberg and Manning also continue to be served on a rotating basis. The resulting system is an important step toward the CareForce founders' original vision for a comprehensive statewide air medical program.