Today Northwest Health announced a partnership with inHealth Integrated Care to ensure optimal emergency services in Porter County.
Northwest Health holds the county contract for EMS services, responding to 911 calls from four stations within Porter County. To best meet the needs of the community, Northwest Health and inHealth have agreed to partner for stronger utilization of limited resources.
Beginning at the end of November, inHealth will assume coverage of one of the County EMS stations and work alongside the Northwest Health team. This will provide more crews for emergency needs in the county and help with staffing challenges.
“We are proud of our long-standing relationship providing Porter County with EMS services. Like most industries, EMS is struggling with increased demand and limited staffing. Our teams have worked tirelessly and shown dedication by picking up additional shifts to meet the need. However, this partnership with inHealth allows us to combine forces and ultimately, offer additional resources for excellent prehospital response,” said James Leonard, D.O., Northwest Health - Porter Chief Executive Officer. “I appreciate our leadership team at Northwest Health – Porter who worked tirelessly towards this opportunity to ensure optimal patient care into the future.”
EMS professionals, such as paramedics and emergency medical technicians, are in shortage statewide. According to a 2022 study by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, the number of 911 and EMS calls are rising faster than the number of emergency medical professionals and this trend could continue through 2030.
“Across the country, it is difficult to manage and staff ambulance services,” remarked Jim Biggs, Porter County Commissioner, “I applaud Northwest Health and inHealth on coming together for this smart partnership. This work shows their commitment to our citizens and will help ensure the County continues to have strong EMS coverage”.
This partnership adds inHealth team members to support Northwest Health EMS and the 911 service for the County. With inHealth’s support, the Northwest Health EMTs and paramedics will be deployed to the other stations serving Porter County. The inHealth team is already, and will continue to follow Northwest Health’s clinical and operational protocols.
Ron Donahue, Chief Executive Officer, inHealth Integrated Care, said “We are excited for the opportunity to care for Porter County through this partnership with Northwest Health - Porter EMS. We have been committed to the health of our communities for the last eight years and look forward to providing excellent care alongside the Northwest Health team.”
About Northwest Health
Northwest Health is a regional healthcare system committed to providing communities in Northwest Indiana with high-quality, accessible health care — from highly specialized care and surgical services to more routine primary care. The system of more than 60 access points includes three hospitals, five emergency departments, urgent care centers, outpatient surgery centers, an ambulance service, and physician offices. Northwest Health – Porter is owned in part by physicians. A compassionate team of caregivers work hard to fulfill its mission to help people get well and live healthier. For more information, visit NWHealthIN.com.
