Automated referral to community paramedicine during 9-1-1 fall calls for resource activation.

Abstract

We sought to improve the referral process to a community paramedicine (CP) program following a 9-1-1 encounter. An electronic health record (EHR) for CP records with the ability to link to emergency EHR was identified and implemented with a single-click referral to the CP program. Referrals were tracked for 15 months before and after implementation. Referral capacity increased from an average of 14.2 referrals per month to 44.9 referrals per month. The results of this study suggest an EHR is a useful investment for CP programs and may be integral to efficient program operations.