Community Paramedicine programs provide opportunities for Paramedics to apply their training and skills in the community outside of their traditional 911 emergency response role. CP programs promote Paramedics to work in collaboration with other health care professionals and community agencies to connect patients with needed health and community services. These connections assist patients to participate in their care, maintain independence and promote involvement in their communities.

Community Paramedicine goals include:

• Improving quality of life and well-being
• Reduce patient exacerbations and crisis requiring 911 response
• Reduce emergency department visits and hospital admissions
• Collaborate with patients’ family doctors reducing the need for clinic visits

Background

Delivery of all Community Paramedic Programs is through the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board. The program operates from the RRDSSAB-purchased building at 820 5th Street East (former St. Michael’s School) in Fort Frances.

Since it began in 2015, the program has continued to expand in size and scope in order to serve the residents of the district. Community Paramedics in the program receive training designed specifically to support patients in the community, with the ultimate goal of increasing quality of life and promoting healthy living.

Our Core Services:

• Wellness/Safety Checks
• Post Discharge Follow Up
• Point of Care Testing
• Vaccinations (Influenza/Covid)
• Wound Treatment
• Long Term Care Waitlist Support
• 12 Lead ECGs
• Disease Education/Information
• Medication Check/Review
• Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) Appointment Support
• Remote Medical Monitoring
• Referrals to other services

Contact the Coordinator’s Office at 807-789-1651 or communitypp@rrdems.on.ca

Check out our brochure on the Community Paramedicine Program

Overview

The Rainy River District Services Board in partnership with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario has worked to develop Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Programs for the Municipalities and First Nations across the Rainy River District.

We presently oversee more than 70 units; offering inspection, servicing, public education, and resupply. The locations range from schools to provincial parks.
The focus of this program is to help save lives. For each minute that passes when Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) strikes, the victim loses up to 10% chance of survival. PAD programs, when properly set-up and maintained are able to deliver the first shock from an automated external defibrillator (AED) to the SCA victim within just 3 minutes. This quick response by trained responders or a Good Samaritan gives the victim a 70% chance of survival as outlined in the four critical steps needed to save a life:

1. Early Recognition of Activation of 911
2. Early CPR
3. Rapid Defibrillation
4. Effective Advanced Life Support (ALS)
5. Post-cardiac-Arrest Care

For more information visit:

The Heart and Stroke website
Current locations where PAD’s are or will be installed
For a list of Health Canada Approved Defibrillators
Contact Rainy River District Paramedic Services for information