BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
The first month of Bradford County Fire Rescue’s Community Paramedicine Program showed promise as the agency takes on new approaches to helping substance abusers and others with chronic illness.
Chief Ben Carter said Lt. David Weeks and Division Chief Dylan Rodgers accomplished outstanding things in the first few weeks of the program’s existence.
“Our goal is to engage with our residents who might benefit from services to help improve their quality of life, overcome addiction to opioids or other substances and connect with available resources to maximize their efforts to live healthy, independent lives,” Weeks shared during his first program update for county commissioners.
During the first hurried weeks, they identified patients who could potentially benefit from the program and reached out to other fire departments to share information about resources and best practices. Likewise, resources were identified within local agencies that share the goal of a healthier Bradford County. Weeks said they are researching ways to streamline the services that are offered for those in need.
Weeks announced they took on six patients during the first month of operation. Three had a history of substance abuse including opioids and methamphetamine. The team is following them closely, providing information on local resources and support for healing.
“There’s a lot of substance abuse issues in Bradford County. The biggest problem is getting that patient on board, you know. That person has to really want the help. We can offer it to them, but we can’t force them to take it,” Weeks said.
They talk to them about various options for treatment and recovery and let them know what to expect from each. The program is standing by to get them there when they are ready.
The other three patients have been offered help with chronic health problems. These are among the “frequent flyers” who have relied on emergency medical services for nonemergency calls. Program assistance can include medication reconciliation, hospital discharge follow-ups, medical equipment education, risk reduction measures, transportation, nutrition, etc.
Funded by the county’s share of financial settlements from pharmaceutical lawsuits, Weeks said they will grow the program through advertisement and public outreach. You will see them popping up at festivals, events and the community health hubs in Starke, Lawtey and Hampton. Referrals will soon be possible via a new website being developed for the department.
The paramedicine program has already charted a few firsts, including distributing its first doses of Narcan to substance abusers, which could prevent overdose deaths. Weeks said they also got a patient to his first physician visit in years. They updated his insurance, setup his online account and helped make the appointment with the help of Main Street Family Care.
Another participated in a telehealth call from home for the first time, receiving prescriptions without ambulance transport to the hospital. And another patient who had received serious injuries from a fall now has a new wooden deck with handrails thanks to partnership with Trinity Baptist and Cross Church. The old deck was replaced free of charge.
As the program expands, Weeks said he wants to focus on substance abuse, inspired by more established programs that provide that use medication-assisted drug treatment alongside counseling services. Prevention will also play an important role through multiple substance abuse educational programs — opioids in particular — and promotion of recovery resources.
They also look to develop a drug disposal program to empty medicine cabinets of expired and potentially dangerous medications.
Week said they would also work toward billing patient insurance companies to recover some of the costs of services provided. If a physician or nurse practitioner determines there is a need for nutritional, transportation or other assistance provided by the paramedicine program, then the provider can bill the insurance company, he said.
Commission Chairwoman Carolyn Spooner suggested the county jail as a spot to identify patients, and Weeks agreed, saying the Clay County program works closely with the jail there.
With nearly 25 years’ experience at Jacksonville Fire Rescue, County Manager Scott Kornegay said he had seen a lot of new programs launched.
“I’ll have to say that this Community Paramedicine Program that these gentlemen have taken on and have gotten off the ground is one of the most impressive things I’ve seen in my career,” he said. He applauded Weeks, Rodgers and Carter, saying they are operating the program like it’s been around six months longer.
“I’m very, very pleased, and I just wanted the board know what we’re what we have here in this fire department,” he said.
