Southwest Memorial Hospital is launching its community paramedic program Wednesday. The program utilizes paramedics to perform wellness checks on locals at a new location downtown.
SWMH EMS Coordinator Matthew Lindsay had previously told the Journal paramedics already know how to assess health indicators such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar and heart rhythm. Now locals can have those checks performed by paramedics without having to call 911.
Its taking the tradition out of it, Lindsay said. Traditionally, youre dispatched to somebodys house and lights and sirens and making a big show. And really somebody just wanted to be checked out.
The hospital will now be stationing a second ambulance and crew at 31 W. Main St. downtown, also the Cortez Police Department Community Resource Office. Between the hours of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., these paramedics will be offering free wellness checks at the downtown office and may eventually be doing some scheduled in-home checks by doctor referral.
Planned for the future, in-home checks allow paramedics to see things doctors can not, checking for environmental hazards in the homes such as slippery rugs, a lack of grab bars or lack of a clearly marked address on a home to guide responders in the event of an emergency.
However, the program is not intended to replace home health care, Lindsay said. Instead, its designed to fill in the gaps for those who do not qualify. Further, the community paramedics will not be a replacement for a primary care doctor or pharmacist.
The new program is similar to a pilot program already underway in Eagle County, and is aimed at reducing health care costs.
Wellness checks offered by the program are currently free of charge.
Cortez paramedics will still be available for emergency transports. Paramedics stationed at the downtown community resource office can be reached at 749-9925.