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MedStar looks to taxis for help with flu-related 911 calls

By Diane Smith
The Star-Telegram

FORT WORTH, Texas — The large number of 911 calls from people with H1N1-like symptoms may lead the city’s ambulance provider to enlist help from taxi drivers.

“We are seeing a tremendous increase in the number of flu and flu-like-symptom calls,” said Lara Kohl, spokeswoman for MedStar, the sole emergency services provider for Fort Worth and 14 surrounding cities. “Many times people with flu or flu-like symptoms don’t require emergency care.”

In October 2008, MedStar answered 85 flu-related calls, Kohl said.

Full story: MedStar asked emergency provider for different approaches of treatment to avoid ERs