Collaboration Strengthens Rural Healthcare in Iowa Falls

About Hansen

In rural healthcare, strong partnerships are often the key to delivering high-quality, timely care. At Hansen Family Hospital (HFH), a commitment to collaboration has led to a stronger relationship with Iowa Falls EMS, creating meaningful benefits for patients, staff, and the community.

Hansen Family Hospital is a critical access hospital located in Iowa Falls, Iowa, a community of approximately 5,000 residents and home to Ellsworth Community College. HFH serves Hardin County and surrounding communities through its primary care clinic, specialty services, 24/7 emergency department, inpatient care, and a wide range of healthcare services.

As hospital leaders evaluated opportunities to enhance care delivery, several priorities emerged: improving coordination and timeliness of emergency care, enhancing patient outcomes across the continuum of care, supporting efficient resource utilization, and strengthening patient transfer processes. These goals highlighted an opportunity to further integrate the expertise of Iowa Falls EMS into hospital operations.

Iowa Falls EMS provides emergency medical services to Iowa Falls and the surrounding area with highly trained personnel available 24/7.  Rooted in rural medicine both organizations share a strong foundation for collaboration and commitment for serving Hardin County and our surrounding communities.

How it Started
The partnership began with updates to protocols that expanded opportunities for EMS personnel to support not only the emergency department but the broader hospital environment. EMS professionals became key partners in advanced airway management, conscious sedation procedures, and difficult intravenous access situations, providing additional expertise when needed and strengthening patient care capabilities.

To improve transitions between care teams, HFH and Iowa Falls EMS worked together to standardize equipment and processes used throughout patient care. Standardized equipment includes the LUCAS chest compression system, binder lift devices, and end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) monitoring equipment. The organizations also implemented consistent handoff tools for patients being transferred from primary care and specialty clinics to the emergency department or other healthcare facilities. These changes have improved communication, reduced variability, and supported smoother patient transitions.

A cornerstone of the partnership is ongoing interdisciplinary education. HFH and Iowa Falls EMS regularly train together through hands-on learning opportunities such as intraosseous drill utilization, obstetric emergency simulations, Mission: Lifeline Stroke education, IV pump competency training, and hazardous materials decontamination exercises. These educational experiences strengthen clinical skills while also fostering the trust, communication, and teamwork that are essential during emergencies.

The benefits of collaboration extend beyond patient care and into the community. HFH and Iowa Falls EMS partner on public outreach initiatives that promote health and safety, including LIFE classes, support for Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) events, and youth bike rodeos. These programs provide valuable education while strengthening connections between healthcare providers and the residents they serve.

The partnership has also generated positive financial outcomes. Hansen Family Hospital reports an estimated monthly savings of $12,885, resulting in more than $150,000 in annual savings. These resources can be reinvested into equipment upgrades, staff development and retention efforts, patient care initiatives, and community outreach programs.

Most importantly, the collaboration has produced measurable operational improvements. Communication between EMS and hospital teams has improved, pre-notification processes have become more consistent, adherence to clinical protocols has increased, and the time to critical interventions has decreased. Staff satisfaction has also improved as team members experience the benefits of stronger coordination and shared problem-solving.

The experience at Hansen Family Hospital demonstrates the power of local collaboration in rural healthcare. By building stronger connections between existing community resources, HFH and Iowa Falls EMS have created a sustainable model that enhances patient care, supports healthcare professionals, and strengthens the health of the entire community. What began as an opportunity for improvement has evolved into a lasting partnership that showcases how rural organizations can work together to achieve exceptional results.

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