CK paramedics are looking to help patients with chronic heart issues before they even need an ambulance.
EMS company Medavie has teamed up with Future Health Services Inc. to set up remote patient monitoring for a select number of residents.
Through the group's Community Paramedicine Program, EMS workers are giving patients living with chronic heart failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease equipment they'll use from home. The machines will allow paramedics to monitor heart rate, blood pressure and weight from their headquarters. They'll then get alerts if their patients need to be checked up on.
"With the goal of being proactive in their care, they'll identify health issues upstream, so care can be provided before a patient deteriorates and has to call 911," says Medavie General Manager Steve Pancino.
Paramedics completed training on the new system last month, and the first batch of patients already have their equipment. The data collected will eventually be used in research at Queen's University.
The announcement comes in a time of turmoil for paramedics, as Chatham-Kent considers blending its EMS and fire services. Pancino hopes initiatives like this one show Medavie's worth in the community.
"While not part of our core service delivery, these are the types of value-add programs Medavie has brought to the municipality," says Pancino. "And we'd certainly look to continue them if we are here in the future."
The program is being run in CK and other municipalities for 18 months, with the hope to enroll 1,500 patients.
