MINNEAPOLIS, June 25,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Peter
Carlson, a leader in mobile acute care, has joined Lifespark
as Vice President, Acute Response Services. He will apply his
nearly 20 years' experience in paramedicine and health care
management by building the architecture for an Urgent Response
Service (URS) into Lifespark's flagship product, Lifespark
COMPLETE.
"High utilization of the hospital system continues to have a
rippling effect on the work we and others in health care face. The
biggest area of over usage can be found in the emergency room (ER)
where more than 50% of visits are unnecessary," explained Carlson.
"For seniors especially, visiting the ER shouldn't be the default
alternative when issues arise in between provider visits and yet,
it is."
There's been growing market demand to integrate ER or more
urgent-level care into value-based efforts. "The work being done
within value-based care has shown greater success in keeping people
home and avoiding unnecessary and unplanned ER visits," said
Joel Theisen, BSN, RN, Lifespark
CEO. "It's a natural integration within our Lifespark COMPLETE
product. Focusing on preventing unnecessary ER or hospital visits
is a key area we can influence."
According to Carlson, the true differentiator of Lifespark's
Urgent Response Services (URS) is the ability to know the member.
"With ER and urgent care clinics, the providers don't often know
the senior or have time to ask the deep questions that matter, but
we do including a clear understanding of their contingency plans,"
said Carlson.
As emergency rooms across the United
States continue to hit capacity, the addition of
URS fills a much-needed gap for Minnesota seniors. "This isn't about ER
avoidance," said Carlson. "We know that seniors often can be better
served at home where we become the eyes and ears. We want the ER to
be used for true emergencies and support how we address the overuse
that is currently happening. The focus shouldn't be on measuring
days in the hospital seniors but measuring how often they aren't.
I'm excited to put my expertise and passion towards solving
this."
Lifespark's Urgent Response Team can provide 80% of what is done
in the ER at home. "From x-rays, lab work, and EKGs, to
sutures, our team of LPNs, RNs, and community paramedics can keep
seniors out of the hospital through in-person visits including
telehealth options, and support transitions to the hospital if it's
needed," shared Carlson. "It's an honor and a privilege to be
invited into a person's home. It's much better than waiting in an
ER for 6+ hours exposing them to more things that can cause
harm."
Before joining Lifespark, Carlson was Chief of Paramedicine for
Medically Home, Community Paramedic Coordinator/Operations Manager
for Mayo Clinic, and Community Paramedic Administrator for North
Memorial Health. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA)
in Finance from Saint Mary's University
of Minnesota, a Bachelor of
Science (B.S.) in Healthcare Management from the same university,
and a degree in Community Paramedicine from Hennepin Technical College.
About Lifespark
Lifespark, formerly Lifesprk, is a complete senior health
company headquartered in St. Louis Park,
Minnesota. Lifespark's global risk model is proven to reduce
total cost and improve outcomes. It provides a flexible, home-based
delivery system that meets clients where they are using an
integrated tech platform that seamlessly combines capabilities,
data, and client experience. This scalable approach has few fixed
costs and a clear path to grow. For more on Lifespark, visit:
www.lifespark.com
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Meaghan Puglisi, 952-873-738,
mpuglisi@lifespark.com
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SOURCE Lifespark