Payette County Paramedics is providing a new and innovative service called Community Health EMS (CHEMS). Within Idaho, Payette County is one of the first services to provide this type of service. A CHEMS program focuses on identifying and filling the gaps within our community by expanding the role of the EMS provider. The goal is to improve patient health, community health, and overall patient satisfaction in the healthcare system. CHEMS providers receive additional education, additional skills, and expanded protocols beyond the normal EMS practice. 

 

CHEMS providers work hand in hand with hospital systems, health departments, primary care clinics, and other stakeholders to receive referrals and resources to assist patients to assure positive outcomes and provide patient centered medical home care. Payette has 4 paramedics and 2 AEMT's trained in Community Health, as well as 5 Paramedics currently attending an Idaho State University certificate program to be trained in CHEMS. In addition, CHEMS providers receive additional training throughout the year on topics such as mental health, social determinants, motivational interviewing, and extending care outside of  the primary clinic.

 

CHEMS providers can provide skills directly in the home including cardiac monitoring, 12 lead ECG's, detailed patient assessments, vital signs, medication inventories, non-emergent medication administration, and health disease education. In addition, they perform home assessments, evaluate for fall risks, social needs assessments, and mental health assessments. This provides the physician a broader view into patient care and expands the primary care into the home. The physician can immediately have information concerning the patient that can sometimes be delayed due to the physician’s busy work schedule and inability to get the patient to a clinic. 

The Community Health EMS focuses on the following 5 services

 

• Extension of Primary Care 

• Hospital Readmission avoidance programs

• High risk patient follow up

• Smoking Cessation programs

• Frequent falls and prevention

 

For Additional Information on Community Health EMS and services provided,

contact Travis Spencer

CommunityEMS@fruitland.org