Talbot County Teams Up to Offer Mobile Integrated Health Services
10/04/2024
Category: Partner Agencies Emergency Services
Talbot County is proud to offer Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) services, a collaborative initiative involving the Talbot County Department of Emergency Services (DES) and the Talbot County Health Department.
The program aims to provide in-home healthcare solutions for our residents, focusing on reducing emergency room visits and hospital readmissions by bringing care directly to those in need, particularly seniors and vulnerable populations.
The MIH program is a patient-centered model that extends care beyond traditional emergency response. It includes a wide range of services, such as medication management, chronic disease monitoring, and social support coordination, enabling individuals to manage their health more effectively and improving overall community wellness.
The program is primarily funded through the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission’s Health Equity Resource Communities five-year grant program, which went into effect in July of this year. The grant funds specifically plan to “address health disparities in eldercare, childhood vaccinations, obesity and maternal health for rural Hispanic women, children and older Black adults”.
Partnership with the Health Department
The success of Talbot County’s MIH program is driven by strong partnerships.
Members from DES work alongside staff of the Talbot County Health Department to provide comprehensive care. The team consists of Paramedics, EMTs, and Registered Nurses who collaborate to enhance outcomes for high-risk patients.
Rachael Cox, coordinator of the program for the Department of Emergency Services, also emphasizes the importance of having strong partnerships with local healthcare providers and organizations so that the MIH team can provide referrals and expand their service offerings.
"Our MIH team is dedicated to making healthcare more accessible and personalized for our residents. By meeting people in their homes, we can provide care tailored to their unique needs, and that makes a world of difference," said Cox. “But we also want to be able to provide the residents with options for additional services and healthcare.”
Carrie Ottey, RN, BSN, Program Manager for Senior Services at the Talbot County Health Department, emphasized the community impact: "The MIH program has been transformative, especially for our aging population. It allows us to provide care in a more proactive and preventative way, ensuring that our older adults and disabled individuals can live healthier lives at home with the support they need."
For more information about Mobile Integrated Health, visit the National Association of Mobile Integrated Healthcare Providers at namihp.org. To learn more about the MIH program in Talbot County, reach out to mihreferrals@talbotdes.org or call 443-239-6999.
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