With transformation in mind, we share an example of innovative emergency first response that broadens the safety net of care across all communities -- expanding the role of the paramedic into a “Community Paramedic" (CP).
Community Paramedics receive additional training and engage in partnerships with local community-based organizations, enabling them to function beyond their traditional roles of treating patients and transporting them to the emergency department. For example, instead of heading straight to the nearest hospital, CPs can transport patients to local mental health facilities or sobering centers, or visit patients in their homes after discharge from the hospital to monitor how they are doing. In this way, CPs are increasing access to primary and preventive care for patients, and decreasing overuse of emergency rooms, which is particularly important in areas of severe health care shortage.
While there are many CP programs across the country, there are 9 communities implementing 12 pilot programs in California. The models being tested are described in the box below. These pilot programs are overseen by the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA), with a formal evaluation supported by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF).
As part of a $1.2 million grant CARESTAR received from the Aetna Foundation for a 3-year CP initiative, and in partnership with EMSA and CHCF, CARESTAR is providing supplemental general operating funds to these CP sites.
In addition to local grants, CARESTAR is supporting the refresh and enhancement of a California-based CP standard curriculum to expand CP training across the state, and to support the broader career path for Community Paramedics if and/or when the state regulations formally allow such expansion.
