Executive Summary
The Latest News from County Executive Jan Gardner
Proud to Launch a New Integrated Mobile Community Healthcare Program
I am excited to announce the launch of the new Mobile Community Healthcare Program, which will help people have better health outcomes and save the county money in the process.
The Mobile Community Healthcare Program will serve people who frequently call 9-1-1 for their health needs, as well as those who are referred by allied health professionals. The goal is to determine what services and resources people may need to stay healthy and to reduce the number of times they call 9-1-1.
Last year, there were 105 citizens in Frederick County who called 9-1-1 five or more times. Together, they accounted for more than 1,200 calls for service, at a cost to the county of almost $800,000.
The Mobile Community Healthcare Program initially
will focus on two dozen participants who agree to take part in the effort. A team, consisting of a paramedic and a nurse or nurse practitioner, will visit participants at home to better manage their health care needs so they don’t need to visit the hospital as often.
The team might check vital signs, assess home safety and the risk of falls, and check smoke detectors. Medications might be reviewed, and physical and mental health assessments conducted.
A great example involves a veteran who lived in a second-floor apartment in a building with no elevator and who had health issues that prevented him from using the stairs. Any time he had a doctor’s appointment, he needed assistance just to get down the steps from the second floor. This man called
for an ambulance 28 times in one year.
EMS staff worked with the veteran’s landlord to find him a first-floor apartment in the same building. Since moving downstairs, the man has not placed a single call for an ambulance.
Frederick County’s Division of Fire and Rescue Services has partnered with the Frederick County Health Department, and the Frederick Regional Health System on the program.
The Mobile Community Health Program is another example of partner agencies working together to make life better for others, and at the same time saving taxpayers money. We are blessed to live in such a caring community. By looking out for each other, everyone has an opportunity for a bright future in Frederick County!
Contact Me
Email: CountyExecutive@FrederickCountyMD.gov
Website: FrederickCountyMD.gov/Executive
Location: 12 E Church St, Frederick, MD, United States
Phone: 301-600-1100
Facebook: facebook.com/JanGardnerExec
Twitter: @JanGardnerExec