Arlington

Arlington FD's Push For Paramedics to Make Weekly House Calls

Increasing demands on Arlington’s emergency services has the city looking for new ways to help citizens before they have to call for an ambulance.

Earlier this year, the Arlington fire department launched a trial “community healthcare” program, designed for patients with heart problems – and more specifically, patients who were repeatedly dialing 911.

Now, the Arlington fire department is asking city leaders to extend the program for another year and to expand the types of patients it serves.

Officials say a common problem among frequent 911 callers is they don’t take care of themselves like they should once they’re released from the hospital – so they’re not home for long before they find themselves back in an ambulance.

To try to prevent that from happening, paramedics would visit those patients at their homes once a week to check vitals and make sure they’re following doctors’ orders. They would also connect those patients with various organizations and services in Arlington that can help them.

Fire Chief Don Crowson told city council members this week that the program not only reduced the trips those patients made to the hospital, it also had a significant effect on their total healthcare costs.

“When these guys stepped in, they made a difference,” said Crowson. “I think our general cost was about $115,000 – in that range, pre-program. Post-program is $12,000. That’s a big difference.”

Arlington Memorial Hospital has agreed to partner with the fire department on the program and would help pay for it.

The city council still has to give their final stamp of approval before the program can be expanded.
 

Contact Us