County of Orange Fire & EMS Launches Innovative Community Paramedic Program
By: Orange County Communications Department
Regular Insight readers will know that County of Orange Fire & EMS (COFEMS) has been regularly featured for their innovative initiatives, which improve the continuum of care and promote better outcomes for our residents. In keeping with that trend, the department is now excited to launch a new Community Paramedic program. Community paramedic programs represent a new healthcare model being adopted by multiple agencies nationwide. These initiatives are becoming popular in rural localities with significant travel times to hospitals, such as Orange County. To help reduce non - emergent transportation, which can remove a squad from service while the patient is taken to the hospital, community paramedics operate alongside traditional emergency medical services.
While able to perform both roles, these paramedics have a distinct focus on preventive and proactive healthcare intended to promote medical, lifestyle, and habit changes at the patient ’ s home that promote their overall health and wellbeing. If successful, the patient ’ s improved health reduces their need for hospital visits, allowing EMS squads to focus on emergency response and creating a win - win situation for both the patient and Orange County residents. Enrollment in the program is referral - based. COFEMS will receive referrals to the program from their operational crew, healthcare professionals,
social workers/case managers, or patient family members. Self - referrals are accepted as well for individuals who would like to receive community paramedic assistance. Some conditions that the community paramedic program seeks to provide assistance for include chronic disease management, frequent falls or lifting assistance, mental illness, substance abuse, food insecurity, transportation needs, and other medical and social needs. Following referral and enrollment to the program, the community paramedic will visit patients in their home on a regular basis to help establish a care plan specific to the individual patient ’ s needs, and to encourage continued adherence to the plan throughout the program period. This program will act as a rehabilitation period with temporary care and facilitation of alternate resources required to divert from EMS and Emergency Room use. As they begin the journey of establishing this program, COFEMS has high hopes that introducing this new resource will benefit the residents of Orange County! The referral form is available online, but those interested can also get more information about the program by calling (540) 920 - 9906 or emailing communityparamedic@orangecountyva.gov.
Page 16 | February 2025
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