Community Paramedicine: Next Step in HealthCare
In January, SBCoFire was chosen to participate in a statewide pilot project that
studies the value of Community Paramedicine (CP); the next innovative wave
in healthcare. The goal of the program is to augment the patient’s current plan
of care with resources currently established within the community, which will
provide the patient with the necessary education and tools to maintain and
improve wellness outside the hospital setting.
San Bernardino County is one of twelve locations chosen to participate in
this 12-18 month pilot program to study various aspects of CP. County Fire
has been awarded the opportunity to study post discharge follow-up of the
congestive heart failure (CHF) patient. We have partnered with Rialto Fire
Department, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Arrowhead
Regional Medical Center and the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency
(ICEMA) to provide a post discharge follow-up visit to the patient’s home in
order to perform a detailed physical assessment on the patient and ensure
they are maintaining or improving their post hospital discharge status. During
the follow-up visit, the community paramedic will also verify the patient’s
understanding of their disease process, discharge medications and follow-up
plan. Should the patient require further medical treatment, the community
paramedic will assist the patient in accessing primary care or fulfilling their
healthcare need.
Air Rescue A Vital Resource
The partnership between the Sheriff and Fire Department continues to be a
positive step forward in public safety. Whether operating on fires, rescues,
or transporting critically ill or injured victims, Air Rescue is an invaluable
resource in the countries’ largest geographical county. Numerous lives have
been directly saved by the action of the deputies and firefighters assigned to
the Rescue Helicopter.
Notably, are the “pick off” rescues that have been accomplished. In these
incidents, persons out hiking or climbing in our forest areas have found
themselves stuck on a cliff face and unable to move up or down due to unstable
footing. Ground based rescues would likely take several hours to complete.
However, Air Rescue has been able to move into position, “pick off” the victim
from the side of the cliff, and move them to safety in a matter of minutes.
AUGUST SEVERE WEATHER
From one end of our local mountains to the other, an afternoon rain storm wreaked havoc;
causing flash floods and mudslides in the communities of Mt. Baldy and For