911 Nurse Triage Line

Each year, millions of Americans call 911 for time-sensitive issues that don't require Emergency Medical Services (EMS). In need of medical help, these callers may treat 911 as an entry point into the healthcare system, yet an ambulance to the emergency department can harm both their own long-term health and the health of others. In a field experiment in Washington, DC, the investigators randomly assign nurses directly into 911 calls in order to triage low-acuity calls. While other 911 reforms have denied callers access to alternative resources, this effort reforms 911 by offering appropriate care.