2024 Annual Report - Flipbook - Page 34
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE & SAFETY
Charles County Government Annual Report • 2024
MOBILE INTEGRATED HEALTH
EXPANDING ACCESS & BRIDGING GAPS IN CARE
In 2024, Charles Count y significantly expanded its
Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program to 24/ 7
operations, marking a transformative step in community-based healthcare delivery. First established in 2017,
MIH — also known as COMMUNITY PARAMEDICINE —
operates under a partnership between the Department
of Emergency Services, the Charles County Department
of Health, and Charles Regional Medical Center. The
program enhances traditional EMS services by integrating paramedic, nursing, and case management
roles to bet ter ser ve resident s with
chronic health conditions and social
service needs.
Funded through a blend of county budget, ARPA, Opioid
Restitution Funds, and grants, the expanded MIH team
includes a registered nurse program manager, a paramedic
supervisor, and dedicated 24-hour paramedics and EMTs.
A key component of the program is its chronic disease
management ef for ts — par ticularly in DIABETES AND
HYPERTENSION — through patient education, in-home
care, in-home safet y checks, and improved self-management. They also install smoke alarms. The MIH also
participates in Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical
Services System’s Model-T Protocol, helping address opioid
use disorder through coordinated treatment and follow-up.
The program's success is evident in reduced reliance on
emergency ser vices and improved qualit y of life for residents, making MIH a cornerstone in Charles Count y’s
commitment to INNOVATIVE, COMPASSIONATE, AND
ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE DELIVERY.
MIH FOCUSES ON:
Improving access to care
Reducing emergency
department visits and
9-1-1 calls
Decreasing 30-day hospital
readmissions
Connecting individuals with
vital community resources
NEW EMT CLASS
11 NEW FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT EMT STAFF
On September 9, 2024, the Charles County
Department of Emergency Services welcomed
a new EMT class, adding eight EMTs and three
paramedics to the staff roster.
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CharlesCountyMD.gov
