St. Elizabeth Physicians, the primary care division of St. Elizabeth Healthcare, and the cities of Covington and Florence will begin a paramedical pilot program next year. This program aims to reduce the number of avoidable emergency room visits and hospitalizations in certain patient populations.
We offer home visits to certain patients within the St. Elizabeth Physician Network, namely those dealing with chronic conditions such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also known as COPD), kidney disease, and other heart conditions.
The pilot program aims to provide patients with routine medical maintenance and advice in lieu of hospital visits. Approximately 300 patients are expected to receive treatment in 2025, according to a St. Elizabeth press release.
“As health care providers, we find ways to meet people where they are, and that includes in their homes,” Dr. Heidi Marley, president and CEO of St. Elizabeth Physicians, said in the same press release. There is a need.”
Social workers from St. Elizabeth and paramedics from Florence and Covington will be in charge of the program. The visit will “assess the patient's needs, including home safety, mental health, food and transportation, and connect the patient to community resources as needed,” the press release states. “Community paramedics and team members work with primary care to return patients to the clinic.”
The program then collects data to determine its effectiveness by measuring the number of emergency department visits, follow-up appointments, and referrals.
A $175,000 grant from the Copic Medical Foundation is funding the effort.
