Transcript Document
The Medicine and What We’re Doing Mobile Integrated Healthcare Summit September 11, 2013 Dr. Michael R. Wilcox [email protected] 612-803-2912 Integrating Paramedics Into the Minnesota Healthcare System 2013 • Access to healthcare in this country is becoming more difficult to attain • Metro and Rural populations are equally affected • Over one-half of Minnesota’s population is located in a rural setting Metro and Rural Demographics • • • • More elderly More immigrants More poverty Poorer health Filling an Unmet Need with Untapped Resources Filling an Unmet Need with Untapped Resources The Community Paramedic Program • Expand role, not scope • Assess and identify gaps between community needs and services • Improve quality of life/health Expanded Services • • • • • • • Primary care Emergency care Public health Disease management Prevention Wellness Mental health Keys to Community Paramedic Program Flexible • Identify specific needs in community health care • Standardized curriculum, modified for communities Rural and Remote Clinics • Target populations with problems in access to health care • Address special population issues – – – Rising immigrant demographic Aging in place Decreasing availability of medical professionals Resourceful • Identifies what is available • And what is missing Gap-filling • Creates “health home” for citizens • Eyes, ears, and voice of community Community Paramedic Guidelines • Essential oversight by community care providers • Practice where designated underserved • Approved and welcomed • Funding specific to each locale Present Status of Minnesota’s Certified Community Paramedics • 30 have been certified by the EMSRB • 70 additional will be certified by February 1, 2014 • 10 medics have been trained within North Memorial Medical Center’s EMS system – Certified by the EMSRB in August 2012 – Housed within three primary care clinics in north Minneapolis Present Status of Minnesota’s Certified Community Paramedics – Focus on caring for “high risk medical recall patients “ • Patient taking 10 or more medications • Patients who have tight therapeutic window medications such as “warfarin” • Patients who have 3 or more chronic diseases • Mental health/disability patients Present Status of Minnesota’s Certified Community Paramedics – This program went live on October 1, 2012 – CPs are available every day, seven days a week – They carry their own supplies and vehicle – They see 6-9 patients per day – They us the electronic medial system, (EPIC) to assist with patient care Present Status of Minnesota’s Certified Community Paramedics • A 4th group will be focused on rural health care – This is a pilot project in the Park Rapids, MN community – Population 3,700 – This group of providers will work with public health and the Essentia Health Care system in providing care to patients within that area – This program will start in Spring 2014 Present Status of Minnesota’s Certified Community Paramedics • A 5th group of community paramedics will be involved in a pilot program in Faribault MN – Population 22,000 – They will assist with provision of care to patients dealing with chemical dependency, geriatric issues and mental health issues – They will work with the Allina clinic District One Hospital and Rice County Public Health Services – Start date, Spring 2014 Present Status of Minnesota’s Certified Community Paramedics • A 6th group of community paramedics work in the Scott County / Med-Fire Free Clinic – Med/Fire’s medical van has been used to travel to five areas throughout Scott County every two weeks – 14-20 patients have been seen per session – The focus has been upon patients who cannot afford health insurance (access to healthcare issues) – Emphasis has been to find a medical home for these patients Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Mobile Clinic and Emergency Management Mobile Clinic and Emergency Management Vehicle Questions?? Dr. Michael R. Wilcox [email protected] 612-803-2912