The Programs Taking Care From Reactive to Preventative

Table of Contents:

• Covington’s In-Home Care Pilot Slashes Emergency Calls by 73%

• Perth County Paramedics Donate $2,500 to Support Local Community Food Centre’s Outreach’

• Premier Mobile Health Services Announces February Clinic Schedule for Southwest Florida

Read time: 4 minutes

Results

The Covington Fire Department recently concluded a transformative community paramedicine pilot program that shifted the focus from reactive emergency response to proactive, in-home patient support. By partnering with St. Elizabeth Physicians, paramedics conducted over 350 home visits to help vulnerable residents manage chronic conditions like diabetes and heart failure. The initiative yielded staggering results, including a 73% drop in 9-1-1 calls and a 57% reduction in emergency room visits among participants.

Beyond medical care, the teams addressed critical "social determinants of health" by installing smoke detectors and connecting residents with food and housing assistance. Although the initial grant funding has expired, the city is now aggressively pursuing new budgets and partnerships to make this lifesaving, cost-cutting model a permanent fixture of Covington’s public safety strategy.

Donation

Perth County Paramedic Services’ Community Care Fund has donated $2,500 to "The Local" Community Food Centre to bolster its Fruit Basket Program. This financial contribution strengthens an existing partnership where the paramedics' Mobile Integrated Health Team (MIH) brings healthcare and nutrition directly to vulnerable residents. At weekly community clinics, paramedics distribute fresh meals, fruit, and baked goods provided by the center to ensure "wrap-around" care for those in need. Officials from both organizations highlighted that the collaboration allows them to reach a wider audience and provide essential resources for health and wellbeing. The donation is seen as a way for the paramedic team to give back to a partner that has consistently supported their community health initiatives.

Clinic

Premier Mobile Health Services has released its February schedule for mobile medical clinics, bringing essential healthcare to vulnerable populations across Southwest Florida. The nonprofit offers a wide range of services, including chronic disease management, school physicals, and screenings for cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. These medical visits are supported by state grants, allowing qualified Florida residents to receive care at no cost. The mobile unit is fully equipped with an onsite pharmacy and laboratory, ensuring patients receive immediate results and medication during their visit. Throughout the month, the clinic will make stops in various communities, including Naples, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and Immokalee, to reach those most at risk.