Delivering care beyond hospital walls
Since 2012, Chatham-Kent EMS has proudly provided emergency ground ambulance and pre-hospital care in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, making an impact to the people and communities we serve.
Our goal is to extend care beyond hospital walls, making it accessible in the homes and communities of Chatham-Kent, and easing the strain on our health care system.
Over the past 12 years, our skilled team has introduced innovative health care solutions to the region, including the introduction of mobile integrated health (MIH) and community paramedicine programs. MIH programs, delivered by dedicated teams of paramedics and other allied health professionals, offer a range of preventive and primary care services directly in people’s homes and communities, and help reduce unnecessary emergency calls and ambulance transports. This is especially crucial as the current health care system faces many increased demands, with patients often waiting too long and in the wrong place for care.
Our Community Paramedicine Program has helped bring high-quality care to complex patients from the comfort of their homes through numerous health system partnerships.
Since 2015, this program has resulted in a 72% reduction in 911 calls and a 63% reduction in emergency department visits.
Not only does the program complement existing services and resources available to the residents of Chatham-Kent, it eases the strain on the local health care system by helping limit calls to 911 and emergency room visits, and tying up emergency medical response resources.
What is the Chatham-Kent EMS Community Paramedicine Program and who do we serve?
Through the Chatham-Kent EMS Community Paramedicine Program, patients can be assessed, diagnosed and treated by a paramedic in the comfort of their own homes. These in-home care and support visits are free for the patients and relieve the demand on primary care physicians and other community support programs in place.
Patients include those who are high-risk, and living with complex medical issues that may be prone to hospital re-admission, including patients with:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Diabetes
- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
- Frequent Falls
Community paramedicine enhances both patient care and the patient experience for a segment of the population that can be best served with at-home health care.
Our Community Paramedic team provides a wide range of in-home assessments and treatment services, including:
- Home visits and remote patient monitoring
- Wellness clinics
- Falls prevention
- Cognitive screening
- ECGs
- Chronic disease management support and follow-up
- Medication review
- Risk assessment trip and fall
- Physical assessments
- Point-of-care diagnostic testing
- Continuous care planning
- Influenza vaccinations
- COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and anti-viral medication administration
- Referrals to Community Partners
How can patients access care?
- Patients: Contact your healthcare provider for a referral.
- Health care providers: We are part of the Ocean referral platform. To submit a referral, simply search “Chatham-Kent EMS Community Paramedicine Program” in the search bar or contact us via fax at 519-380-9335.
Services are provided to the entire municipality of Chatham-Kent.