I came across a new business today while I was casually wandering around the Internet and I just absolutely had to share it with the EMS crowd. The company, called "Hangover Heaven" (www.HangoverHeaven.com) is set to open April 14th, 2011 in Las Vegas, NV. (Where else?)
If you haven't already clicked the link their business model is that they have a bus that drives around the strip, picking up the hungover masses, and providing "a small IV in your arm that provides the necessary treatment to continue the party or just get back to your normal self." They have two packages, the "Redemption" package for $90 that provides IV hydration only, and the "Salvation" Package for $150 that provides relief through their "Proprietary treatment" which they say contains intravenous hydration, an anti-emetic, an anti-inflammatory medication, and a "Vitamin supplement" package.
You should really read their website yourself. Some copywriter did a great job of selling what I can only surmise to be a banana bag, ondansetron, and toradol. Those meds and the IV fluid will most probably cure any hangover quite handily. While I think this is a bit cheesy… I've got nothing but respect for their plan. Heck, if anything I'm jealous that I hadn't thought about it first. While I'm not licensed to practice EMS in Nevada, I could easily cruise around the streets of Milwaukee, Madison, or Chicago in my ambulance providing the same services to the over-imbibed folks in those fair cities. If we could ask for cash up front, like I'm sure they are, we could probably pull in a few thousand a week doing this. For that kind of coin any city could afford to fund the pension plan and give the nice EMS folks a hefty raise.
What I'm saying is, come on cash-strapped municipalities, belly up to the bedside and get your medical directors to authorize this service. Your budget woes are a thing of the past!
Yes, their bus is cooler than your rig.
I do have a few questions though:
- Is this legal? The owner is an anesthesiologist, but there is no mention of who is actually providing the service.
- I'm a Nationally Registered Paramedic… are you hiring? Please?
- Are you selling franchises? Cuz I could use one here in Wisconsin and Illinois real bad. I'd start my own but I'd need a medical director who would be willing… and the ones around here are probably spoil sports
- Although… I haven't yet asked them if they are ok with this. They could be. Perhaps it's better that you just sell me a franchise real quick and real cheap-like and we can just keep the brand-name going strong.
In all seriousness. Think of what effect this could have on the already overused emergency healthcare system in the city. I mean, if even 10% of the people who are going to be seen by this bus would have otherwise ended up in the emergency rooms getting largely the same treatment, this company could sincerely ease some of the burden on the healthcare system. It's definitely a cheaper alternative. Even their $150 treatment is way cheaper than a trip to the ER. This bus could immediately benefit the entire system by giving patients an alternative to the traditional, significantly costlier, methods. It will save insurance companies and governmental healthcare payors thousands and free up the ERs from taking care of this patient demographic.
I really do think they're on to something. Wish I'd have thought of it first.The success of this business will go to prove something. If it survives and thrives, then EMS can also find free-market alternatives that will help save our profession and the communities we serve. Obviously it can be done.
In other news, kudos to the State of Maine, who authorized funding for Community Paramedicine. Bravo guys, way to intellegently look for real solutions to your healthcare budget woes. I tip my hat to you. – http://www.jems.com/article/news/new-community-paramedicine-law-maine-loo
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