An elderly wife calls 911. Her husband has fallen and she can't lift him. When the paramedics arrive, they notice the home is in disarray. This couple needs help beyond the immediate assistance to lift the husband off the floor. Jesse Ebersole, Fire Department Captain, presented the community paramedicine program-- the first in the State. A team of paramedics, physicians, and social service providers identify and assist underutilizers of the healthcare system, particularly elderly, to connect them with services and prevent more serious injuries or sickness. The team also regularly strolls through homeless camps to tend to wounds and other needs. They use a computer program to identify frequent 911 callers and assess their needs. When they are called to a home and notice potential fall hazards, they perform an assessment and provide preventive aids such as slip-resistant mats or shower chairs. The goal of the community paramedicine program is to save overall healthcare costs by proactively preventing people from using the emergency care system as their primary care.
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