The City of Scottsdale and the Scottsdale Fire Department have entered into a transportation contract with Maricopa Ambulance, a move the city says will ensure effective and efficient emergency medical care and services will continue in the area.

According to the city, the contract will continue to allow a city firefighter paramedic to attend to each patient during transportation from the scene of an incident to the hospital and provide a smooth patient transfer to the hospital's medical team. 

“The ability to provide high quality, effective hand-off communication regarding patient care is of critical importance and is cited in numerous medical journals,” Scottsdale Fire Department Medical Director Dr. Chip Finch said in a press release. “Studies show that nearly one in 10 patients may be adversely affected as the result of poor patient care communication between EMS and receiving hospitals."

"Continuity of care," which has been used since 2010, was formulated based on medical evidence that shows having consistency in patient care from start to finish is critical to positive patient outcomes in the emergency room and hospital stay, according to the city. 

“Timely and effective communication between EMS and receiving hospitals has the potential to save lives and improve time-sensitive patient therapies," Finch said in statement. 

The contract between the city and Maricopa Ambulance will begin Feb. 17.