Sioux Falls, South Dakota – January 16, 2025 – Avel eCare, a leader in telemedicine innovation, is proud to announce the expansion of its EMS Telemedicine program into Kansas, marking the fourth state to implement this life-saving service. Already operational in South Dakota, Nebraska, and Minnesota, Avel eCare’s program equips rural emergency medical providers with 24/7 access to expert medical guidance during critical patient transfers.
The Phillipsburg, Kansas expansion builds on the program’s success where rural communities now rely on Avel eCare’s EMS telemedicine technology. Across participating states, the service has supported more than 2,000 emergency encounters, improving patient outcomes in situations such as trauma (24% of cases), altered mental status (stroke) (17%), and cardiac or chest pain (13%).
Pete Rogers, EMS Director and Phillips County Health Officer, emphasizes the significance of this milestone:
“In rural Kansas, where resources are limited and every second counts, Avel eCare’s EMS telemedicine provides a crucial layer of support. Whether it’s assisting with complex trauma cases or coordinating emergency transfers, this technology ensures that patients receive the best possible care when they need it most.”
Innovative Technology, Proven Impact
Avel eCare’s EMS Telemedicine program connects EMTs and paramedics in the field with a team of experienced emergency physicians, nurses, and paramedics via secure, cabin-mounted telehealth tablets. These virtual consultations help providers with tasks such as care evaluations, intubations, real-time ECG interpretation, and pre-hospital documentation.
Becky VandeKieft, Vice President and General Manager of Emergency and EMS Services at Avel eCare, highlighted the program’s importance during the first moments of care:
“Our service is designed to make a difference when it matters most—during those critical first 60 minutes of a medical emergency. This is when rapid decisions and expert guidance can dramatically impact patient outcomes. Whether we’re helping coordinate air transport, analyzing an EKG, or providing a second opinion, we’re ensuring EMTs and paramedics have the tools they need to save lives.”
Funding for the initiative comes from the Patterson Family Foundation, a Kansas City, Missouri-based organization whose mission is “Working together to help rural communities thrive”. Their Rural EMS 2024 Program was a competitive grant to fund equipment, protective gear, training and certification, and/or operational expenses needed by EMS and first responder teams across the Foundation’s Kansas and western Missouri philanthropic catchment area.
“Rural EMS teams are the backbone of emergency care in their communities, often times being the first and only guaranteed access to health services when no other services are available,” said Denise Schuele, Program Officer, Patterson Family Foundation. “Through the Rural EMS 2024 Program funding, we aim to ensure that these teams have the resources they need to continue their vital work, providing lifesaving care and building resilience and sustainability in rural areas.”
Empowering Rural EMS Providers
The EMS expansion into Kansas is part of Avel eCare’s broader mission to close gaps in rural healthcare access. Building upon Avel’s long-time support to Kansas hospitals, the EMS Telemedicine program addresses challenges faced by rural providers, such as long transport times, staffing shortages, and provider burnout.
“Workforce shortages are a major concern in EMS, especially in rural areas,” added VandeKieft. “Our virtual support helps with that by acting as a safety net—a second set of eyes, a reassuring voice, and a partner in care. We’re not just improving care for patients; we’re also supporting the EMS workforce and helping to keep them in the field.”
For more information about Avel eCare’s EMS Telemedicine program, visit https://www.avelecare.com/services/ems/.