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Bruce County Paramedic Services is receiving $40,000 to support remote care monitoring at homes and communities.
The county says this one-time funding from Ontario Health will help establish and provide the monitoring program, which will operate within the paramedicine program. This will allow community paramedics to monitor client’s vital signs and well-being remotely.
It will be utilized for clients with chronic diseases like congestive heart failure, diabetes, and hypertension, as well as for frail seniors.
The county adds the funding will also give the opportunity to educate clients about their chronic diseases, and how to properly manage their conditions at home.
Remote monitoring has been shown to lead to reduced 911 and emergency department utilization, hospital admissions and re-admissions, and alternative level of care rates, says the county.
Bruce County Paramedic Services Director and Chief Steve Schaus says, “remote care monitoring is another tool that can be utilized by community paramedics to work proactively in the community, in collaboration with local healthcare providers, to ensure that patients can remain safely in their homes for longer.”
The county says the equipment for remote monitoring and digital platform to read vital signs will be provided by Future Health Services, a local not-for-profit social enterprise.
The county will also be working with the Grey Bruce Ontario Health Team and partners during the program implementation and operations.
Funding for the remote monitoring will continue in 2023 and 2024 through funding from the Ministry of Long-Term Care.