It's a unique partnership to help medical professionals improve the quality of patient care. Crouse Hospital officials and Emergency Medical Service providers across the region are participating in a training program at the hospital's Marley Education Center. Our Brad Vivacqua has more on how this program can benefit a patient.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The training program involves officials from Crouse Hospital and a number of EMS representatives from across the region. The group is being taught the techniques of Lean-Six Sigma by faculty from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

The methodology focuses on eliminating waste and variation within processes, therefore improving efficiency. EMS representatives from agencies including Rural Metro, TLC, and other county emergency operations are participating.

Officials say from the time an emergency call is first made to the time a patient is treated at the hospital is very critical. This training allows attendees to analyze the process and improve their efficiency.

"Help to improve outcomes, improve patient care, and do the right thing for the patient right up front and transition that from the field to the emergency department and right to their hospital stay," said Dr. Michael Jorolemon, Crouse Emergency Medicine Senior Quality Officer.

Jorolemon says about twenty people from front line to management staff are participating in the class. The program is being funded through an education grant from Onondaga Community College.

You can learn more about the program or programs at Crouse by visiting www.crouse.org/.