Community Health EMS
History:
Community Health Emergency Medical Services (CHEMS) was is an
innovative model where emergency medical services (EMS) personnel are
incorporated into the general healthcare delivery system and extend the reach
of primary care into a patient’s environment.
CHEMS personnel are healthcare providers who receive additional
education, work within a medical-health neighborhood, and assist the primary care
team to implement a patient care plan. CHEMS personnel operate within their current scope of practice; however,
act in an expanded role within the medical-health neighborhood. Examples of the roles of CHEMS personnel may
include:
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Acting as healthcare navigators for patients
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Transitional care for patients after they are discharged from a hospital stay
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Vaccinations
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Medication inventories
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Resource coordination
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Basic medical therapeutics
Additional CHEMS information is found at the
Idaho Bureau of EMS and Preparedness: idahoems.org.
SHIP Overview:
The Statewide Healthcare Innovation Plan (SHIP) included the development and implementation of CHEMS programs in rural and underserved
areas as part of the “virtual” Patient Centered Medical Home (vPCMH). These programs will continue to help expand primary care reach and capacity, become assets in the
medical-health neighborhood, and improve access to healthcare services.
Getting Involved:
For
additional information about the SHIP CHEMS initiative, please email the Bureau
of Rural Health & Primary Care at ruralhealth@dhw.idaho.gov.
If you'd like to be put on the mailing list for future CHEMS workgroups and webinars, please email the Bureau of EMS & Preparedness at IdahoEMS@dhw.idaho.gov
CHEMS Roundtable Discussion
The purpose of the recording below, moderated by Dawn Juker, SHIP State-level Evaluation Team, was to capture live experiences of CHEMS personnel on what key elements of workflow and role definitions are necessary for transformation and the effect on patient and community health.
Long Version
Short Version
Special thank you to our panelists!
Mark Babson, Community Paramedic, Ada County Paramedics
Juan Bonilla, Division Chief at Donnelly Rural Fire Department
Travis Spencer, Community Paramedic, Payette County EMS