The Scottsbluff City Council meeting on March 17, 2025, featured a significant presentation from Regional West Emergency Medical Services regarding the launch of a new Community Paramedic Program. Sean Baumgartner, the Director of Emergency Medical Services, outlined the program's objectives and its focus on three key patient populations: those diagnosed with pneumonia, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The program is set to begin accepting referrals on March 24, 2025. Baumgartner emphasized the importance of this initiative, which aims to reduce hospital readmissions by providing follow-up care to patients in their homes after discharge. The community paramedic will work closely with hospital discharge planners to ensure patients receive the necessary support and education about their health conditions.

Baumgartner shared insights from a previous study conducted in 2014, which demonstrated the effectiveness of community paramedics in lowering readmission rates. He highlighted the program's commitment to patient engagement, noting that many patients are eager to leave the hospital and benefit from home visits that reinforce their discharge instructions and medication management.

The presentation underscored the program's alignment with the mission and values of Regional West Medical Center, aiming to enhance patient care and outcomes in the community. Currently, the program has one community paramedic with specialty certification, marking a promising start to this innovative healthcare initiative.

The meeting concluded with a sense of optimism about the potential impact of the Community Paramedic Program on local healthcare and patient well-being.