Community Paramedicine

What is Community Paramedicine?

Community Paramedicine is a model of care whereby paramedics apply their training and skills to community-based environments, beyond the traditional roles of emergency environments where paramedics are commonly found today. A Paramedic working in the community cares for patients by applying a combination of core training, and when needed specialized skills, specialized protocols, in less urgent situations. Community Paramedicine uses a collaborative care model integrating with the health-care team, including physicians, nurses, EMS staff, community providers and patients.

Community Paramedicine Goals

• Provide patient-centered care
• Support available health-care services
• Support system flow in areas such as acute care, emergency departments, long term care, etc.
• Create dynamic multi-disciplinary working relationships

Community Paramedicine Services

Community Paramedicine focuses on the needs of individuals and the communities that they reside in, this includes rural and urban settings. Community Paramedicine services vary by community, services include (but not limited to):

• Assessments, treatments and follow up supports
• Making and/or receiving referrals for additional supports and/or services
• Hospital discharge supports
• Medication assistance and administration
• Mental health supports
• Mobility assistance
• Oxygen supports
• Palliative Care Supports
• Specimen Collection
• Vital Signs Monitoring & Performance of ECGs
• Wellness Clinics & Checks

Community Paramedicine Setting

Community Paramedicine can take place in a variety of settings including but not limited to working with Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) health-care workers in your home, health networks, continuing care, and acute care.

The service availability is dependent on the community in which the patient resides. Factors that can impact services provided, include:

• Existing community paramedicine services
• Type of service request
• Educational supports necessary
• Scope of practice of the available paramedics

Community Paramedicine Access

Patients can access community paramedicine services by contacting their local physician, nurse practitioner, or health network teams. There is no cost to patients for receiving community paramedicine services. However, should a patient require an ambulance transport, standard billing rates will apply. Community paramedicine does not replace the need to call 911 during an emergency.