involved in community health to convene at the state and national levels to discuss a common vision for the future. Complex issues that would benefit from state and national consensus include workforce development, scope of practice, financial sustainability, interoperability of health information technology, and best practices for care coordination and population health initiatives. A state or national population health stakeholder roundtable with broad representation might be a venue for each discipline to provide updates
on transformative service delivery models and serve as a forum to discuss opportunities for efficient integration as well as concerns among the stakeholders. The “Promoting Innovation in EMS” project steering committee perhaps represents a good example of the spectrum of stakeholders that would participate in the roundtable. As discussed in other chapters, EMS will only benefit from interdisciplinary discussions if it can unite around a common set of ideas to champion its interests and potential contributions.
CHANDLER FIRE, HEALTH & MEDICAL DEPARTMENT PARTNERS WITH THE VA
The Chandler Fire, Health & Medical Department (CFHM) partnered with the Phoenix VA to provide tailored community paramedicine services to VA patients in a six- month pilot program. This pilot program is an example of how fire departments and EMS agencies can partner with larger systems to provide the services that they are particularly well-placed to provide. CFHM already had a community paramedicine program in place, and by seeking out new partners for its services, it was able to expand its services and collaborate with new systems.
only transporting to the emergency department. Community paramedics conduct follow-up calls or visits to ensure patients were able to complete referrals. • Community Outreach: CFHM staffs a local clinic and partners with other local agencies to improve community outreach. • VA Program Benefits: CFHM identifies veterans during emergency 911 calls and connects them with VA benefits for which they are eligible and telemedicine services they may need. The pilot program is due for an 18-month extension of its MOU to gather more data, then continue the partnership if it proves to be effective. The CFHM program demonstrates that innovative agencies can often find partners who want to use their services. EMS agencies are encouraged to build services that complement the work of other disciplines and provide value to patients, and build partnerships to make these services sustainable.
The CFHM pilot program offers the following services to the VA:
• Complex Patient Management: CFHM identifies high utilizing patients, and community paramedics visit them at home to better coordinate care along with physicians through telemedicine services. • Treat and Refer Follow-Up Program: Community paramedics treat patients at home and help them navigate the healthcare system by referring them to the most appropriate resource, rather than
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CHAPTER 6
MOUNT SINAI HEALTH SYSTEM | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
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