Trained Paramedics Provide Ongoing Support to Frequent 911 Callers, Reducing Use of Ambulance and Emergency Department Services
Author | : Matt Zavadsky |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 19 |
Release | : 2015 |
Genre | : |
ISBN | : |
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The Area Metropolitan Ambulance Authority (more commonly known as MedStar), an emergency medical service provider serving the Fort Worth, TX, area, uses mobile health care paramedics to provide in-home and telephone-based support to patients who frequently call 911 and to other patient populations who are at risk for potentially preventable admissions or readmissions. Working as part of MedStar?s Mobile Integrated Healthcare Practice, these paramedics conduct an in depth medical assessment, develop a customized care plan based on that assessment, and periodically visit or telephone the patient and family to support them in following the plan. Support generally continues until they can manage on their own. Four additional similar programs serve individuals with congestive heart failure, patients who can be managed transitionally at home versus an overnight observational admission in the hospital, in-home hospice patients who are at risk for hospice revocation, and as a support for home health agencies to prevent unnecessary visits to the emergency department. These programs have significantly reduced the number of 911 calls, the number of potentially preventable emergency department visits and hospital admissions, the number of overnight observational admissions, and the number of hospice revocations, leading to declines in emergency medical services and emergency department charges and costs, and freeing up capacity in area emergency departments.