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Firehouse clinics: An evolution of EMS
EMS will need to continue to focus on areas like this
By Art Hsieh
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Editor's note: An article this week outlines how a Colo. chief is turning firehouses into clinics. It's all part of the much-need process to evolve EMS, says Art Hsieh. |
We've been discussing the future of paramedic care a lot over the past few months.
While this does not directly involve community care paramedics, the use of prehospital personnel in a more preventative model is related to the evolving concept.
It makes sense that the department can serve its community even more than it does now, at a low cost and effort.
If it can spare a pound of cure by serving an ounce of prevention, everyone wins, especially the patient.
Having health care volunteers assist in the examination can make the idea even more effective.
Other systems have conducted pulmonary evaluations during on scene evaluations, while some urban agencies are working closely to public health officials to reduce the impact of chronic and homeless patients on their EMS systems.
EMS will need to continue to evolve in these small but significant steps in order to remain truly viable in the future of health care.
I am confident that, over time, instances such as this become the norm in many parts of the country, rather than the exception.
It will require more education and a better understanding of how our bodies function and disease happens, but it will be worth the effort.
Jake Stein Friday, May 04, 2012 6:15:14 AM Why hasn't education been included in the discussion?
The NIOSH screenings did not go over that well with mass produced techs and varied unreliable results which ended up costing more to those who utilized the service then if they had just gone directly for a referral to the appropriate clinic or physician.
Funding has been cut to most of the decent services which provided care to the homeless.
Why should other licensed healthcare professionals volunteer while the FF/Paramedics get a heftly salary and the FD gets the additional funds for thier salary and equipment? Will their liability be protected in the same way those with the FD and EMS is?
This money could be put to better use by keeping the clinics open which provide more services by physicians and physician extenders. A couple extra weeks on top of a 6 month Paramedic cert and another cool title of Community Paramedic falls way short of a physicician extender by about 6 years and way short of the community needs. Until the Paramedic can get past the 6 month is enough education mentality and look at the Masters degrees other countries have for their Community Paramedics or even Emergency Paramedics, EMS should not be trying to overstate itself and divert those who could make a difference by telling them they can still do it as "volunteer". Seems like paid FD/ EMS looks down on volunteers at other times but likes it if it can get their own people more money by using them.
The public deserves better when it comes to healthcare than just another bandaid, diversion or smoke screen. For a powerful country like the US, it pales in comparison to the healthcare in other countries and we are always looking for a quick fix which is usually self serviing and it what has been a trademark for the US in many endeavors. 
