KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — American Medical Response said after subcontracting out a service that transports dead bodies, ambulance response times have improved.
The company said the service responds to calls involving a dead body where an ambulance is not necessary. It takes the bodies to the Knox County Medical Examiner — taking over a service that was previously the responsibility of AMR.
"It keeps ambulances available for other, more urgent, patients," said Joshua Spencer, regional director for AMR. "We've seen an overall improvement from the 60% to 70% range, up to the mid-80% range."
He said because the subcontractor responds to non-emergency calls, ambulances have more time to respond to emergency calls and 911 calls. AMR said the company picks up around 120 bodies every month, and a new contract requires them to respond to calls within 45 minutes.
On Monday, AMR leaders met with Knox County Commissioners and presented the first quarterly update of the year. The updates are meant to improve accountability in the ambulance system. They said AMR is hiring more field staff and more than 200 people are on the team as EMTs or paramedics.
"I think we're making great progress in the first 90 days," said Spencer. "More people on the team equals more ambulances in the community."
Around six months ago, AMR said it had around 180 EMTs and paramedics on staff.
Despite the new contract, increase in hiring, and subcontracted transport services — one neighbor said help never came after he called 911.
"My son could have died," said Mitchell Bennet, who had to call 911 for his son emergency. "I ended up transporting my son to the hospital."
AMR's next update to the Knox County Commission is expected to be given in August.