JEFFERSON Lansdale Hospital and VMSC Emergency Medical Services (VMSC) have announced a new program called Community Paramedicine Partnership, which aims to reduce the number of patients who return to the hospital within 30 days of being discharged.
According to the Pennsylvania Healthcare Cost Containment Council, there is a significant amount of money spent each year in Pennsylvania for Medicare and Medicaid patients who are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of their initial stay. Hospital readmissions are also linked to negative patient outcomes.
In response to this issue, the Community Paramedicine Partnership will care for willing patients with chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are at a high risk of being readmitted to the hospital.
Jefferson Lansdale Hospital will refer high-risk consenting patients to VMSC based on their EPIC Readmission Risk Score, and a specially trained, board-certified Community Paramedic will visit the patient within 24 hours of discharge, and make up to three additional home visits within the first 30 days after discharge.
The Community Paramedic will perform a health and home evaluation, verify that patients are following discharge instructions, and consult with a physician about any changes in the patient's condition as needed, using the advanced patient tracking/charting software “HealthCall.” They may also contact local providers to schedule follow-up appointments and clarify medication orders.
Katie Farrell, MBA, Vice President of Jefferson Lansdale Hospital, said, “Many high-risk patients don't qualify for home health services after discharge, and other outpatient chronic care management programs are limited. We believe the Community Paramedicine Partnership program will help decrease unnecessary visits to the emergency department, reduce readmission to the hospital, and enhance our patients’ quality of life.”
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