Starke County EMS Department Looking Toward More Community Involvement

Starke County EMS crews may branch out more in the community when it comes to resident care after being discharged from the hospital.

EMS Director Travis Clary told the commissioners last week that the goal is for paramedics on the transfer unit to help elderly patients and young children with procedures following their hospital visit.

“If they’re not busy with a transfer or anything and we know that a patient has just been discharged, such as an elderly patient on a Friday evening and they don’t have home health, our paramedics will go out and do wellness checks,” said Clary.  “Sometimes we’re finding that the elderly patients are sitting around all weekend without knowing to take their antibiotics before Home Health Care can arrive on that Tuesday or Wednesday.”

He also hopes to work with the State to incorporate a safer sleep program with infants and young mothers.

“Again, we’d do a check of the home.  This is something we don’t have in this area that I think would be beneficial.” 

Also, Clary is thinking about offering car seat technician classes, among other community involvement measures.

Clary will update the commissioners on these programs once they become active.