Medical Center EMS receives $310,000 to strengthen Community Paramedic Program

Medical Center EMS has been awarded $310,070 from the Kentucky Department of Health to strengthen its Community Paramedic Program and expand access to at-home healthcare services throughout the region.

The funding was awarded through Kentucky's Rural Health Transformation Plan, which supports the establishment or advancement of Community Paramedicine across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This grant will enhance Medical Center EMS's ability to improve access to care, reduce preventable hospital readmissions, and decrease unnecessary emergency department visits.

Medical Center EMS's Community Paramedic Program is staffed by International Board-Certified Community Paramedics, Jon Henbest and Kendra Messenger. These Advanced Practice Paramedics provide at-home visits with patients following hospital discharge, helping prevent readmissions through disease-specific assessments, chronic disease management, patient education, medication reconciliation, fall risk assessments, and other individualized services.

"Community paramedics set a higher standard of at-home patient care," said Jon Henbest. "We help bridge the gap in care after patients leave the hospital by providing personalized support in their homes. Our Community Paramedic Program has served our community for more than 10 years, and this grant will allow us to expand the program with additional vehicles and equipment so we can reach more patients."

Grant funds will be used for items such as:

• Two vehicles for conducting at-home visits.
• Equipment for vehicles.
• Hardware and software to support clinical documentation.
• Two LifePak 35 heart monitors to perform point-of-care ECGs
• Additional training in Mental Health First Aid