Community Paramedicine

Mandate

The Community Paramedic Program was created to help reduce the ever-increasing number of emergency room visits and decrease the number of calls to 9 1 1. We want to help sick people stay at home in a healthy manner as long as possible.

Procedure

We respond to the patient’s need following the receipt of reference forms that the paramedics fill in on emergency calls with the consent of the patient. This reference is then forwarded directly to the community paramedics who will schedule an appointment with the patient to visit, assess the needs and develop a care plan. Several regional organizations region also use community paramedics with referrals to help them with certain medical supports.

As a result, community paramedics also call upon regional organizations to assist them in the development of the care plan. The ultimate goal is to reduce the risk of patient hospitalization.

Care and services offered

  • Health assessment
  • Diabetes
  • Heart problems
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Vital signs
  • Environmental assessment
  • Risk assessment for falls
  • Influenza tests and treatments
  • Urine tests
  • Blood tests
  • NIR test ( level of anticoagulants in blood)
  • Intravenous
  • Development of care plans
  • Covid-19 screening tests
  • Mobile vaccination clinic
  • Intravenous (IV) Antibiotic

It is important to note that the goal of the Community Paramedic Program is not to replace existing health care teams, but rather to support and/or complement existing health care services.

Community paramedics work in collaboration with the patient’s attending physician. A report of each visit is then forwarded to the attending physician to explain the treatments given and the decisions that were taken.