Mobile Integrated Health emerging as a solution
The rise and spread of Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) has emerged as an applicable, real-world, and practical solution defined as “a patient-centered, innovative delivery model offering on-demand, needs-based care, and preventive services, delivered in the patient's home or mobile environment,” MIH has become a valuable tool.

In addition, and in conjunction with MIH, emergency medicine personnel are also utilizing digital health solutions, including digital front doors combined with emergency medicine physicians, PAs and NPs, to provide care. Digital front doors serve as access points for EMTs and paramedics to connect their patients with medical providers virtually via telemedicine, offering additional treatment and consultation for the patient at any hour of the day or night. The digital health provider can solve the patient’s problem together with the EMS personnel and then connect the patient to other virtual services like specialty care or primary care or can facilitate referrals to in-person providers or facilities for follow-up work, as needed. This alleviates the burden on the EMS team, freeing up their capacity to handle true emergencies, and ensures that the patients receive a high level of appropriate care.
Importantly, digital front doors when combined with emergency medicine providers assist during emergency situations by providing a single hub through which all interactions occur; a single point to provide connection to expert medical providers for consultation, to further assess symptoms virtually, and to monitor a patient’s condition remotely.

The combination of MIH, digital solutions, and ER providers, allow EMT’s and paramedics to administer care at a patient's location, wherever they are, via the use of telemedicine. This innovative approach is gaining recognition now more than ever for the wide range of benefits it can provide.

Some established benefits of MIH include:

• A reduction in the rate of emergency room visits and hospital readmissions
• Conserving and utilizing time and resources wisely for emergency medical services personnel during critical situations requiring a higher level of care
• Helping recruit and retain EMT’s and paramedics by giving them new career paths and inspiration to use their skills to do more than take people to the ER and hospital
• Expanding and providing newer care options to underserved communities

MIH has the potential to create a ripple effect of benefits that both emergency service providers and patients across the country can experience. From saving precious time to reducing financial burdens for all parties involved.

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