Good Samaritan Introduces New Program for Perinatal Patient Population

Good Samaritan has started a new service line to help mothers and babies throughout the community. The hospital’s Community Paramedicine program is a free or low-cost service that provides at-home check-in for vitals, wellness visits during pregnancy and in postpartum, and infant growth and development. Those eligible for this service are women who are considered “high-risk” with a history of pregnancy loss or complicated pregnancy, substance abuse and social determinants that will create health risks.

Community Paramedicine Services are funded by grants from the Indiana Rural Health Association (IRHA) and the Indiana Department of Health Safety PIN Grant. The program consists of a non-physician paramedic practitioner (NPPP) that will make in-home visits with mothers at varying times throughout their pregnancy process and during the 16 weeks following birth. NPPPs make one visit per month during the first trimester with visits increasing as the pregnancy progresses into the second and third trimesters, where visits become weekly. NPPPs gather information, conduct exams, educate, give counsel and connect mothers to community resources. NPPPs are also available for 24/7 assistance in the form of emergency response, emotional support or just to answer any questions that the mother might have throughout the process.

Services will include, but are not limited to:

• Makena Injections (Prevent Preterm Birth)
• Hyperemesis Treatment / Follow-up
• Car Seat Education
• Referral to Safety PIN Perinatal Peer Recovery Specialist and / or Perinatal Navigator
• Safe Sleep Education
• General Support for Mom and Baby
• Administer Vaccinations
• Collect Lab Specimens
• Take Infant Growth Measurements

“We are excited to roll out a new model of health care in Knox County,” said Mary Pargin, Director of Emergency Services at Good Samaritan. “Community Paramedicine is an extension of the physician’s office. These paramedics receive additional training to assess needs, identify concerns and provide care between physician office visits. They work closely with primary providers, making house calls, doing checkups and assisting with concerns. The goal of this program is to provide new mothers and infants with additional support. We look forward to growing the program and expanding to other patient populations.”

The ultimate goal of this collaboration between Good Samaritan, IRHA and Safety PIN is to decrease the number of low birth weights, pre-term deliveries and infant mortality rates, all while providing powerful emotional support, significant cost avoidances across all parties, and numerous partnerships extending shared value.

Additional benefits include: decrease in emergency room visits, care provided to patients who struggle with transportation and education on safe sleep and infant safety while assessing potential dangers in patient’s home.

Although there are a handful of Community Paramedicine programs in Indiana, Good Samaritan is the first to have this program in the southern half of the state. The vehicle for the program was graciously donated by the Good Samaritan Auxiliary. Call 812-887-0411 or email communityparamedicine@gshvin.org to contact the hospital’s Community Paramedic with questions or more information about eligibility.