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County says community paramedic program reduced emergency transports in early months
Summary
Officials reported 117 community paramedic calls since launch, with 42 calls in the previous two months; staff said many low-acuity cases were treated on scene, avoiding emergency-room transports and easing ambulance availability.
Wakulla County staff provided an update on the community paramedic (CP) program and reported early results showing fewer ambulance transports for low-acuity calls.
Staff said the program began a soft rollout and has handled 117 CP-related calls to date, with 42 in the last two months. County officials said many of those calls avoided transport to the emergency department by treating patients on scene or linking them to appropriate community services. The county reported an average of roughly 272 EMS calls per month; staff said the CP program helps manage low-acuity demand and has improved ambulance availability on some days.
Officials noted revenue from ambulance billing has grown more slowly this year than in prior years and said the county is changing billing contractors to improve collections. Staff said they will continue to develop protocols, seek partnerships with local hospitals and health providers, and return to the board with program details and any approvals needed for clinical partnerships.
