The Florence community will benefit from a new pilot program that adds two part-time positions dedicated to providing information, support and patient care management.
The Community Paramedicine Pilot Program is funded through a grant by the Copic Medical Foundation. Florence council approved a municipal order to join St. Elizabeth Healthcare and the Covington Fire Department in the one-year program.
According to the Copic Foundation website, the program’s goal is to reduce the inappropriate use of emergency medical services and thus reduce healthcare costs. By providing patients with additional resources and help in managing their care the thought is this will reduce the burden on emergency medical resources.
Florence Fire Chief Rodney Wren shared a memo outlining the benefits to patients and to healthcare providers.
“It provides the citizens of Florence accessibility to needed resources that normally would be limited due to transportation or medical conditions,” said Wren.
He explained the program would also help ease the burden on emergency services. For example, while an emergency responder might be taking someone into the hospital for tests or other nonemergency care, the responder and the equipment that might be needed in an accident or other emergency becomes temporarily unavailable.
“The program builds the relationship between the community and Florence Fire and EMS, and it strengthens relationships between Florence Fire and EMS, St Elizabeth, and the Covington Fire Department,” said Wren. “So it’s a joint effort between all three entities.”
The program provides for two part-time paramedical positions. These would be paid for through the city’s budget, but the grant would reimburse the city.
Wren noted the program is a pilot and anyone hired in the positions will be clear that it is not yet a permanent program and is scheduled to end after one year.
Council voted unanimously to approve the pilot program.