Collaboration Between Paramedics, Hospitals Pays Dividends for Patients In St. Charles County

The "First 100 Days" is typically a time metric reserved for elected officials, but in St. Charles County, a collaborative effort between Paramedics and BJC Healthcare posted some impressive results of its own during the first 100 days. The initiative, called Mobile Integrated Health [MIH], has resulted in an estimated $149,000+ expenditure savings and vast improvements in patients' health status self-assessments. The program starts at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters and Progress West Hospitals, where physicians and case managers identify patients at high-risk for readmission to the hospital following an in-patient stay for certain serious health conditions: congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute myocardial infarction, or pneumonia. "Without strict adherence to care plans and medication regimens, conditions such as these can become exacerbated quickly," explains Jill Skyles, VP of Nursing for both hospitals. "They can be particularly challenging for those who are newly-diagnosed and trying to adjust to new healthcare routines." Enter St. Charles County Ambulance District [SCCAD] advanced practice Paramedics Russ Allen and Kimberlyn Tihen, who meet with the patient and BJC case managers prior to discharge. Together, the group works to identify needs and goals specific to each patient. Individuals enrolled in the MIH program receive home visits from Paramedics over a four-week period, where their health condition i...
Source: JEMS Special Topics - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Industry News Mobile Integrated Healthcare Source Type: news