Salisbury Fire Department's program reduces frequent hospital visits for local patients

The Wicomico County government meeting on April 11, 2025, highlighted the ongoing success of the Salisbury-Wicomico Integrated First Care Team (SWIFT), a program designed to reduce emergency department visits by providing proactive healthcare support to frequent users of emergency services.

The discussion centered around the origins of the SWIFT program, initiated by a member of the Salisbury Fire Department who observed that many patients were repeatedly visiting the emergency room without receiving adequate support. This prompted the idea of creating a program that would help these individuals navigate the healthcare system and access necessary resources, rather than relying solely on emergency services.

Over the past eight years, the SWIFT program has evolved from a pilot initiative into a vital component of the local healthcare landscape. The program has successfully reduced emergency department visits by 30 to 40% for frequent users, while call volumes for emergency services continue to rise. This indicates that while more people are calling for help, the program is effectively addressing the needs of those who would otherwise repeatedly seek emergency care.

The SWIFT team, which includes nurse practitioners, works directly with patients in their homes, helping them find primary care and addressing social determinants of health, such as transportation and food insecurity. The trust established by the fire department has been crucial, as patients are generally receptive to the team's outreach efforts.

Additionally, the Salisbury Fire Department has been awarded a grant exceeding $500,000 to further support the SWIFT program. The specifics of how these funds will be utilized were not detailed in the meeting, but the grant is expected to enhance the program's capacity to deliver healthcare services to the community.

Overall, the SWIFT initiative represents a forward-thinking approach to emergency medical services, emphasizing preventive care and community health, and is seen as a model for future healthcare strategies in the region.