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Dickinson County is among the first rural Kansas communities to launch a community paramedicine program designed to help residents stay healthy at home and reduce unnecessary emergency room visits. The effort is funded by a three-year, $800,000 grant from the Patterson Foundation, awarded to Dickinson County, along with Ottawa County, and Norwich in Kingman County.

After a year spent on training, purchasing a vehicle, and gathering supplies, paramedics have been seeing patients for the past two months. Physicians can refer patients who need short-term, in-home support after hospitalization or help managing chronic conditions.

Specially trained paramedics visit homes for up to six weeks, reviewing medications, addressing fall risks, providing diabetic education and wound care, and connecting patients with needed safety equipment and resources.

The county hopes to sustain the program through insurance reimbursement. Officials say early results are promising, with at least one ambulance trip and hospitalization already prevented.