Community Paramedic Project- Guelph Wellington Emergency Medical Service
Posted April 8, 2016
Guelph Wellington Emergency Medical Service (GWEMS) typical of other Municipal Paramedic services is consistently seeing an increase in demand for emergency response to 911 calls. Over the last 5 years, the increase in 911 calls for service exceeds 15%, recognizing that the demand is not sustainable with the limited resources of ambulance a change in programing was essential. The Ministry of Health agreed and provided funding to over 30 paramedic services across Ontario to implement community paramedic programs.
Guelph Wellington was successful in application for funding the GWEMS community paramedic project and commenced programing November 2014. There are 4 main components to the project Community Referral by paramedics, Community Health Awareness Program by Emergency Medical Service (CHAP ems), File of Life, and Public Access Defibrillator Program (PAD).
Community Referrals
Prior to 2014 Paramedics often recognized vulnerable individuals in our community but had no mechanism to reach out and extend services beyond emergency response and transport. Patients in hoarding situations, without food, needing additional care and support are now referred to supportive agencies in our community. This simple referral has tremendous impact on reducing falls, reducing frequent 911 calls, and improving the overall health of vulnerable populations. To date over 400 unique referrals have been- 40% of the referrals have resulted in improved or new services. 62% of the referrals were for patients that have had frequent falls and need simple modifications in home for fall prevention.
CHAP-ems
Paramedic led clinics have been placed for 4 hours one day a week at buildings identified as having a high number of 911 calls per annum. Partnering with Wellington Social Housing MacMaster University the clinics focus on health improvements through exercise, eating well, and mitigating poor habits. Each session paramedics complete an assessment inclusive of blood pressure readings and their findings are entered into a database to determine the impact the clinic. Paramedics utilize the TUG (time up and go) test to assess for falling potential. Paramedics also work with Primary care and communicate trends and highlight health concerns. The clinics have been extremely successful with over 70% of building residents attending- on clinic days residents line up to meet with the medics and the clinics often go over capacity. Today we are transitioning the clinic sites and will be in buildings in the City of Guelph and in Fergus.
File of Life
The file of life is a simple fridge magnet that has a paramedic crest on the service. Inside the magnet is patient medical information that is pertinent to a first responder attending to the residence in an emergency. Paramedics have utilized these magnets in circumstances where the patient is unconscious, not able to verbalize, or have significant language barriers. The magnets provide initial information for the paramedic on scene to treat and provide medication without contraindications to patients in need.
Public Access Defibrillators
Defibrillators have been strategically placed in our community in areas and can save a life when utilized with CPR in the event a person suffers a cardiac arrest. Paramedic services are the only service that can register a public access defibrillator in the 911 call centre. Paramedics have now identified and registered over 200 PAD units throughout Guelph and Wellington. Working with the owner of the device, GWEMS ensures that the device is ready to use and has the appropriate accessories. In 2015, several PAD’s were found to be not working order and/or without pediatric components- GWEMS ensures the device are now readily available and known to the dispatcher that can direct a 911 caller to the life saving device. GWEMS has also donated several devices throughout the City of Guelph and County of Wellington.
To register or request a donated public access defibrillators please contact our service at 519-822-1260 ext 2105.