Community paramedics make scheduled visits to the homes of frail and elderly patients, those with chronic conditions who need frequent testing and assessments, and others who recently underwent surgery. Visits are coordinated through doctor offices and clinics as a way to prevent expensive emergency department treatments.

With just a call from a primary care physician or referral from the emergency department, surgery center, or the inpatient team, a community paramedic can administer lab tests, take vital signs, give a general assessment, or follow up on hospital discharge orders. Since paramedics are armed with medical training, and years of experience, and are used to entering people’s homes with care and respect, they have a unique set of skills for this kind of work.

Each shift, community paramedics contact patients who are discharged from the hospital to check on their health. In the home, they provide necessary non-emergent health care such as changing dressings, wrapping knees, and even scheduling clinic visits.

When in the home, the community paramedic also completes a comprehensive safety survey.  They check to determine that there are no trip hazards, proper, easy access inside and out of the home, and meals are available. They also inform the patient about helpful resources available within the area.

They’ve had further education on chronic disease management, medication compliance, and home safety, like fall risks and dizziness balance assessments. They’re also trained to implement the instructions from the primary care provider.

Part of the 300-hour community paramedic training curriculum includes mapping health needs in underserved areas. Rural populations have an especially acute need for health care access. A patient might be able to care for his or her daily needs, but getting a ride to a doctor or clinic is difficult.  The community paramedics travel to patients’ homes and provide checkups while keeping in contact with physicians, so patients don’t need to worry about transportation.

There are no costs to the patient for these visits. 

Anyone who needs assistance can be referred for this service. 

Following are the most common diagnoses.

• Asthma
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
• Diabetes
• Pneumonia
• Post Operative (ortho or otherwise)
• Renal insufficiency or failure
• Those who take multiple prescription medications

• Assessment of kidney status
• Assessment of respiratory status
• Comprehensive assessment of home medical equipment
• Comprehensive patient assessments
• Coordinate care with home health nurse
• Coordinate communication with physician
• Home safety surveys
• INR checks and lab draws (blood test that measures how long it takes blood to clot)
• Medication delivery (IV fluids, iron, and other injectables)
• Medication reconciliation
• Set up appointments
• Welfare checks
• Wound care