Lexington, Kentucky, December 23, 2025
Saint Joseph Health has unveiled a Community Paramedicine Program in Lexington, designed to reduce hospital readmissions for patients with serious conditions. This innovative initiative provides post-discharge support through home visits by licensed paramedics and social workers to offer medical evaluations, medication management, and education on disease management. The program seeks to address various social determinants of health and is offered free of charge to patients. Early outcomes show significant success, with a notable percentage of participants avoiding rehospitalization.
Lexington, Kentucky – Saint Joseph Health Launches Community Paramedicine Program
Lexington, Kentucky – Saint Joseph Health has introduced a Community Paramedicine Program aimed at reducing hospital readmissions for patients with conditions such as sepsis, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart failure. This initiative marks the first hospital-based program of its kind in Lexington and one of the few in Kentucky.
Program Overview
The program provides post-discharge support by dispatching a licensed paramedic and a social worker to visit patients at their homes. These visits include:
- Environmental assessments
- Physical evaluations
- Medication reconciliation
- Education on disease-specific management
Additionally, the program addresses social determinants of health, such as food insecurity, transportation issues, and housing stability, to reduce preventable hospital returns and enhance community well-being.
Program Implementation
Launched in January as a partnership with the Lexington Fire Department’s Community Paramedicine team, the program received state approval to operate as a hospital-based community paramedicine program starting October 1. Unlike traditional home health care, Saint Joseph Health offers this program free to its patients and does not bill for services through insurance.
Impact and Outcomes
Since its inception, the program has demonstrated measurable success. Among participating patients, 96% avoided rehospitalization within seven days, and 84% remained out of the hospital for 30 days post-discharge.
Background Context
Saint Joseph Health has a history of community-focused initiatives. In August 2025, the organization received a $473,544 grant from CommonSpirit Health’s Mission and Ministry Fund to support its Creating Safer Neighborhoods initiative, aimed at reducing youth violence and building stronger communities across Lexington. This grant underscores the organization’s commitment to enhancing community health and safety.
About Saint Joseph Health
Saint Joseph Health is a member of CommonSpirit Health, a nonprofit health system dedicated to advancing health for all. The organization operates multiple facilities in Kentucky, providing a range of medical services and community programs designed to improve health outcomes and quality of life for residents.
Conclusion
The launch of the Community Paramedicine Program by Saint Joseph Health represents a significant step forward in improving patient outcomes and enhancing healthcare services in Lexington. By focusing on reducing hospital readmissions through comprehensive home care, this initiative not only addresses immediate health needs but also considers the broader social determinants affecting community health. Supporting such innovative programs can foster resilience in our local healthcare system and pave the way for further advancements in Lexington’s community health landscape. Residents are encouraged to appreciate and support these initiatives, which exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to improving lives in our community.
- What is the Community Paramedicine Program?
- The Community Paramedicine Program is an initiative by Saint Joseph Health that provides post-discharge support to patients with conditions like sepsis, pneumonia, COPD, and heart failure. It involves home visits from a licensed paramedic and a social worker to offer medical assessments, medication reconciliation, and address social determinants of health.
- How does the program operate?
- Launched in January as a partnership with the Lexington Fire Department’s Community Paramedicine team, the program received state approval to operate as a hospital-based community paramedicine program starting October 1. Unlike traditional home health care, Saint Joseph Health offers this program free to its patients and does not bill for services through insurance.
- What are the outcomes of the program?
- Since its inception, the program has demonstrated measurable success. Among participating patients, 96% avoided rehospitalization within seven days, and 84% remained out of the hospital for 30 days post-discharge.
- What is the Creating Safer Neighborhoods initiative?
- In August 2025, Saint Joseph Health received a $473,544 grant from CommonSpirit Health’s Mission and Ministry Fund to support its Creating Safer Neighborhoods initiative, aimed at reducing youth violence and building stronger communities across Lexington. This grant underscores the organization’s commitment to enhancing community health and safety.
- What is Saint Joseph Health?
- Saint Joseph Health is a member of CommonSpirit Health, a nonprofit health system dedicated to advancing health for all. The organization operates multiple facilities in Kentucky, providing a range of medical services and community programs designed to improve health outcomes and quality of life for residents.
| Key Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Community Paramedicine Program |
| Location | Lexington, Kentucky |
| Conditions Targeted | Sepsis, pneumonia, COPD, heart failure |
| Services Provided | Home visits by licensed paramedic and social worker, medical assessments, medication reconciliation, education on disease management, addressing social determinants of health |
| Program Cost | Free to patients; not billed through insurance |
| Program Outcomes | 96% avoided rehospitalization within seven days; 84% avoided rehospitalization within 30 days |
| Initiative Supported | Creating Safer Neighborhoods initiative |
| Grant Received | $473,544 from CommonSpirit Health’s Mission and Ministry Fund |
| Parent Organization | CommonSpirit Health |
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