The document describes the differences between a regular paramedic and a mobile integrated health paramedic (MHP) through two scenarios of treating the same patient. The regular paramedic treats the patient's symptoms during the 911 call but does not provide education, while the MHP takes an extended amount of time in the patient's home to perform treatment according to protocol, communicate extensively with the patient's doctor, and ensure the patient understands their condition and how to manage it, in order to prevent future readmissions. The key aspects of being a successful MHP involve taking time to gather information, showing compassion and understanding for the patient, being persistent in providing education and motivation, effective communication, confidence combined with humility, and making ethical decisions focused on

1. SUMMIT 2014Advancing Care through Data
Transitioning The Mind!
Paramedic To Mobile Integrated Health Paramedic
© MedStar Mobile Healthcare 2014

2. John Farris
• Second Generation Paramedic
• Born and raised in a town of 300 people.
• 12 Years certified in EMS
• 7 years at MedStar Mobile Healthcare
– Paramedic 7.5 Years
– FTO 5 Years
– MHP 1.5 Years

3. Why Do I Do What I Do?
• Compassion
• Advocacy
• Family

4. The Regular Paramedic
• MedStar 44 Respond Priority 1 for 50 YOF SOB
• CAD Notes: “I’ve gained weight now I can’t
breathe”
• Unit finds SOB 50 YOF 10+ Lbs in 3 Days
History of CHF.
• “But I don’t put sodium on anything” “They
told me to stay away from Sodium!”

5. The Regular Paramedic
• “Ma’am Did you know salt is basically
sodium?”
• Patient “No well that all makes sense now!”
• “They didn’t tell me that they only gave me 5
minutes and told me to stay away from
Sodium so I didn’t go to the Chemistry Lab!”

6. The Regular Paramedic
• “MedStar 44 inbound your facility with a 50
YOF CC of exertional SOB and a 10 lb. weight
gain”
• Patient is stable at this time V/S 150/98 96
92%rm 98% 02 Cannula
• Report to ED nurse: “This is me the cool
paramedic and this patient needs some CHF
education. She thought Sodium was only the
element and didn’t realize it was salt.”

7. The Regular Paramedic
• Recognized the problem
• Treated appropriately
• Gave appropriate report
• Ensured proper continuity of care to prevent
next 911 call
• Or did they……………………………….?

8. The Mobile Health Paramedic
• “MHP 711. Your client at address ….. Is calling
requesting a visit for SOB. She states she is
having SOB and a weight gain but refusing an
ambulance.”
• “MHP 711 responding did client sound in
distress on the phone?
• “Negative just complaining of SOB when she
walks and something about her weight?”

9. The Mobile Health Paramedic
• “Good afternoon Mrs. Jones I hear your not doing so
great” “Lets sit down and talk.”
• 50 YOF exertional SOB with same V/S as before
• All treatment in home applied in living area
• “Good evening Doctor this is John and I’ve got Mrs.
Jones here with a 10lb weight gain and exertional
dyspnea. Here is her Chem. 8+, EKG and V/S. I would
like to perform in home diuresis and then take an
extensive amount of time with education here in the
home. What do you think?”

10. The Mobile Health Paramedic
• “Sounds good John. Make sure to reevaluate her
labs and should her potassium get too low make
sure she takes an additional supplement or
ensure that she is eating appropriately. We will
schedule an appointment tomorrow with her.”
• “Thanks doc. I will do treatment according to
protocol and I believe that this was all due to an
education deficit. I will update you should any
changes occur”

11. What is the difference?
• Same Patient
• Same Symptoms
• Same Residence
• Patient-Centered Outcome

12. What does it take to be a MHP?
• Time/Information Gathering
• Compassion/Understanding
• Persistence/Motivation
• Communication
• Confidence/Humility
• Ethics

13. Time/Information Gathering
• Ultimate deciding factor for patient outcome
is patient understanding
• Patient’s trust is built
• Patient learns at their own pace
• Builds not only knowledge but understanding
and how to apply that knowledge
• Investigate what is causing readmission

14. Compassion/Understanding
• Put yourself in their shoes
• Help them help themselves
• Let them know you care.
• Let them know what they CAN do!

15. Persistence/Motivation
• Same message
• Get patient involved in their own care
• Develop a relationship with the patient and
their physician
• Become their “Medical Life Coach”

16. Communication
• You are now the Medical Translator
– Doctor
– Patient
– Social/Case Manager
– Nurse
– Family
– Resources etc……

17. Confidence/Humility
• Understand that you may not know what you
don’t know and that’s ok.
• Critical thinking on your own
• You are the resource to the resources
• Ultimately it may be the right decision to send
the patient to the hospital
• Experience is paramount

18. Ethics
• Treat the patient just like you would treat
YOUR family.
• Pick up the newspaper on the way in.
• Yes ma’am/sir

19. Presidential Nomination
John Farris for President 2016!

20. Summary
• There is no change in the ideal traits of a
Paramedic and a MHP
• There is a change in approach and treatment
• Ideally your MHP is a good regular Paramedic
wanting to do the right thing for the patient at
the right time.

21. Questions?