MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
MEBrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO
The Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department continues
their innovative approach in assisting citizens with their healthcare needs.
The program, titled Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH), focuses on linking our
residents with available healthcare agencies throughout the county and
region. Through the utilization of
community based paramedics and nurses, the program brings healthcare providers
to a citizens home to assess and coordinate their health needs. Based on the complexities of the current
healthcare system, many citizens utilize the 911 system as their primary means
of healthcare. This innovative approach ensures our citizens are connected with
the best healthcare resources available in the region.
The MIH Team initially focuses on those citizens that have
accessed the 911 system frequently. Once
identified, the team meets with patients in the comfort of their home to
discuss and identify healthcare needs.
During these home visits, the patient is assessed for any acute medical
problems, have their medical history and current medications reviewed, and the
team will also perform a full home safety assessment. This home safety assessment ensures that any
potential hazard can be identified and corrected. The overall goal of these home visits is to
connect the citizens with services that meet their specific needs, whereas an
ambulance transport to the emergency room may not always be the appropriate
solution.
So it was that the MIH Team was visiting a patient at his apartment in
Hyattsville when they noticed the mans bed and bedroom furniture were missing. The man, in his 70’s, explained
that the apartment complex management removed the bed due to an infestation of bed
bugs. The responsibility to replace the
bed is that of the resident. This patient suffers from multiple chronic
conditions that caused him to be transported to the hospital over 20 times in
2016. Since the MIH Team has been working with him (approximately 90 days), he
has made only one return trip to the hospital and his health is steadily
improving. The patient is a man of
little means and spends most of his income on his medications. Replacing the bed was not an viable option for him financially.
The patient had to sleep in his living room on a love seat and
the MIH Team feared that this sleeping arrangement might have an adverse impact
on his health. Their fears were verified
when the gentleman was soon transported to a hospital for medical treatment.
The MIH Team went above and beyond the call to duty and
sought to rectify the problem on behalf of their patient. They visited a nearby Bobs Discount Furniture Store in Hyattsville and explained the situation to the store manager. Without hesitation the store agreed to donate
a bed to the man, deliver and set it up.
Hopefully, with new sleeping arrangements the man can return to a more
normal and healthy way of life.
The Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department would like to
acknowledge the generosity and willingness to help someone in need. “As firefighters and medics we accept the responsibility
to help people in need,” said Fire Chief Benjamin Barksdale. “Bobs Discount Furniture has no such obligation
but agreed to help, without hesitation or reservation, and resolve an adversity
for a total stranger.”
Bobs Discount furniture was scheduled to deliver and set up
a new bed today just in time for the patients return from the hospital.
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