Under the direction of the township’s medical director, Dr. Paul Zeeb, this program is an extension of the 9-1-1 service. For instance, when a patient is discharged from the hospital they are given instructions regarding follow up care such as appointments and medications, which can be very confusing to the patient. Often a patient is in pain, upset about an illness or injury, or confused at the time of the discharge. The Community Paramedic will visit the patient at home and confirm they are taking their medications correctly and to answer any follow up questions they may have. It is both reassuring to the patient to have this follow up, and beneficial in improving outcomes.

The Community Paramedicine concept is an effort to prevent emergencies and improve outcomes, rather than simply transporting patients to the emergency room. It brings the experience of community paramedics into the home to improve the quality of life for residents. Other examples include assisting patients with Alzheimers, dementia or elderly with the process of transitioning to an assisted living and/or long term facility. Additionally, with the rise in overdose patients, follow up care can be critical, as well as with heart attack and stroke patients.

If a resident of Mifflin Township or Gahanna would like to learn more about the community paramedicine services, contact Kenny King at (614) 471-4494.