Mobile Integrated Health

Home Visits From Community Paramedics: What to Expect

If mobile integrated health services are right for you, here’s what to expect:

1. Activation

There are three ways to initiate a mobile integrated health visit:

• You can request one by calling 508-421-5588.
• Your UMass Memorial primary care provider or specialist can request it.
• Inpatient care teams can request a home visit for you a few days after discharge.

2. Dispatch

Requests come through a dedicated line at our emergency medical services (EMS) communications center. Dispatchers then send a specially trained paramedic to your home.

3. Evaluation

The paramedic asks about your medical history, takes your vital signs and performs a physical exam. Paramedics can also perform X-rays, ultrasounds and lab studies. For heart problems, we can perform at-home electrocardiograms (ECGs).

4. Physician Consultation

Paramedics discuss their findings with a physician via telehealth consultation. The physician responds in real time with a personalized treatment plan.

5. Next Steps

What happens next depends on the guidance the paramedic receives from the physician. You may benefit from:

• Treatment: Paramedics can deliver basic therapies in your home, including IV fluids, antibiotics, other medications or breathing therapies.
• Transport: For more concerning issues, the consulting physician might recommend taking you to the emergency department.

Documentation

Paramedics document the details of their mobile integrated health visit, including test results, diagnosis and treatment plan. The information goes into our secure electronic medical record. Other UMass Memorial providers you see will have access to it, so you won’t need to manage the details of your care.