Issue link: https://emsworld.epubxp.com/i/336320
Q&A; 17 www.ihdelivery.com July 2014 Integrated Healthcare Delivery I HD Associate Editor Teresa McCallion recently spoke with Anne Robinson-Montera about community paramedicine and how EMS and nurses can work together. Q: How does the Colorado community paramedic program work? A: The five-year pilot project was launched in 2010 as a collabora- tive effort between Eagle County's Public Health Department and the Western Eagle County Ambulance District (WECAD) to provide better, more cost-effective access to essential healthcare services. As part of the community para- medic model, patients are referred to emergency medical services (EMS) personnel by their primary care physician to receive services in the home, including hospital discharge follow-up, blood draws, medication reconciliation and wound care. The program, the first of its kind in the state, initially served individuals within the WECAD district, which encompasses 1,100 square miles in western Eagle County and eastern Garfield County. Since then, the ambulance districts merged, creating Eagle County Paramedic Services and allowing all residents and visitors of Eagle County to receive access to the program. Read more at http:// eaglecountyparamedics.com . It made sense for the rural area because many of the most vulnerable patients live miles away from the hospital, where it can be difficult or costly for them to find transportation for regular visits or routine checkups. The program is required to hold a home care license with the state. We were able to obtain a condi- tional license, but it's rare that states require that. Part of the difference is that, in Colorado, EMS agencies are licensed at the county level, not state. There currently is no com- munity paramedic designation in our state laws, so we are prepar- ing to introduce a bill in the next legislative session to make that change. We are continuing to build partnerships and look forward to full support in the 2015 session. Q: In your opinion, why is there animosity between nurses and community paramedic programs? A: In those instances where there is friction, it often comes down to a lack of understanding. Most healthcare professionals in general, and nurses in particular, don't understand how EMS works in the first place. Five years ago, when I worked in public health, I had to ask, "What's the difference between an EMT (emergency medical tech- nician) and a paramedic?" I did A Nurse's View of Community Paramedicine An interview with Anne Robinson-Montera, RN, BSN By Teresa McCallion, EMT-B Anne Robinson-Montera, RN, BSN, received her BSN from Bethel College in Newton, KS. She has 17 years of nursing experience in public health, labor and deliv- ery, neonatal, pediatrics, patient safety/QA and EMS coordination in urban and rural hospitals, clinic and community settings. In her current role as a public health nurse consultant, she works in grant coordina- tion and implementation for projects in Colorado and across the nation. Anne is also the cocreator and public health partner for the first national community paramedic pilot program in rural Eagle County, CO. She assists local and state community para- medic programs through different stages of program development. She has also been a leader in developing the community paramedic curriculum, serves as the college instructor for the second edition of the curriculum in Colorado, and leads a team of educators and experts in developing the forthcom- ing third version of the community paramedic curriculum. 6/13/14 11:24 AM