Houston Chronicle
HOUSTON — Arriving on the scene of a medical crisis, a paramedic’s judgment and actions can determine if a patient survives long before they reach the hospital. And as trends in medicine, technology and society occur, this critical role is set to expand.
Alana Curry, department chair for health sciences at San Jacinto College, said paramedics represent an untapped resource for community health as advancements in technology and telemedicine are coupled with an increased demand for services due to more people accessing health care, and an aging population.
“We are seeing EMS (emergency medical services) moving beyond emergencies to working with patients discharged from the hospital, doing follow-up visits for patients with respiratory, cardiac and diabetes issues,” she said. “I think their role will grow as we utilize the paramedic as an extension of the acute-care setting.”
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