It might come as a surprise that Lancaster EMS does more than emergencies. Even fewer would be aware of their Community Paramedicine (CP) Program. A good portion of the 9-1-1 calls Lancaster EMS receives don’t actually warrant a trip to the ER. These requests for service exasperate wait times, are costly and unproductively utilize vital resources. In the ambulance, EMTs and paramedics have a small window to tend to the issue at hand, an even less time to address mitigating the chance for readmission–this is where Community Paramedicine Providers step in.

First formed in 2016, Community Paramedic Providers meet you in your home or community setting to provide medical services, education, and care coordination. While safe landings make up the vast majority of visits, CP Providers also provide in-home blood work, lead screenings, wound care and immunizations. In addition, the CP Program works directly with unhoused individuals through Refresh Lancaster: a mobile shower unit and medical office launched in tandem with LanCo MyHome (Lancaster County Homeless Coalition).

While at the heart of Community Paramedicine lies prevention–a mission beneficial in all aspects (including financially) for both patients and healthcare providers–the one-on-one dynamic is also bringing intimacy back into medicine. In its first year, Lancaster EMS’ Community Paramedicine Program saw 99 patients. Today, they average about 700-800 a month.

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