The Integrated Health and Social Services Center of Montérégie-Center (CISSSMC) and the Cooperative of Ambulance Technicians of Montérégie (CETAM) and Demers ambulances worked together to deploy community paramedicine, an innovative solution for the elderly.
This unique project in Quebec promotes out-of-hospital care for certain users aged 50 and over.
Project deployment
Since January 2020, the first line has been gradually strengthened, to the benefit of users, thanks to close collaboration between the home support service (SAD), our ambulance transport partners, the hospital emergency service and support for ‘a medical guard.
- January 2020: deployment of a demonstration project on the territory of the Champlain RLS and targeting users aged 65 and over
- November 2020: improvement of the clientele served on the territory of the RLS de Champlain to users aged 50 and over
- December 2020: deployment of the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu territory and targeting users aged 50 and over
New trajectory
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The user belonging to the targeted group, who contacts 911 for non-emergency ambulance transport, can now, following a collaboration between the Center de communication santé de la Montérégie (Alerte-Santé group) and the community paramedic, receive a visit from the latter.
An integrated community paramedic (PCI) is a paramedic who travels in a dedicated vehicle and who can assess the level of care that a person needs, as well as the safe timeframe for his care.
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The latter, in collaboration with a nurse from the SAD and, if necessary, a responding physician, formulates a referral recommendation to the user, whether it be transport to the emergency room or alternative care.
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If his state of health allows him to benefit from alternative care and he agrees to receive this type of service, the SAD nurse, in collaboration with the PCI, plans the services he needs, which it is an appointment with his family doctor or a clinic appointment.
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Whatever orientation is advocated, the user will receive a visit from a SAD nurse in his home environment within a maximum of 24 hours.
Target clientele
The community paramedicine service is offered to clients aged 50 and over who live in the Champlain local service network (RLS) (cities of Brossard, Greenfield Park, Le Moyne, Saint-Hubert, Saint-Lambert, etc.) and on the territory of the city of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, regardless of its place of residence (home, intermediate resource, private residence for seniors or family type), whether or not it is registered with the DAS.
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