Community Paramedic Care Fails to Shorten Hospital Stays in Trial

Study finds no difference in days alive outside hospital, but higher patient satisfaction with home-based care.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 8:10am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Researchers conducted a randomized clinical trial to test whether a program called Care Anywhere with Community Paramedics (CACP) could shorten or prevent hospital use for 240 adults receiving care through Mayo Clinic sites in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The study found no difference in the number of days alive outside the hospital or emergency department between participants who received CACP care and those who received usual care. However, participants who received community paramedic care reported higher satisfaction with their care, and nearly all said they would recommend the program.

Why it matters

The CACP program aimed to provide an alternative to hospital-based care for patients who needed medical services that could be delivered at home. While the program did not reduce acute care use, it suggests that home-based community paramedic care is preferred by patients and could be a valuable option for certain populations.

The details

The study enrolled 240 adults receiving care through Mayo Clinic sites in Minnesota and Wisconsin who needed medical services that could be delivered by community paramedics at home but would have otherwise required hospital-based care. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either CACP care or usual care pathways. The primary outcome was days alive outside the hospital or emergency department within 30 days. Participants receiving community paramedic care averaged 26.7 days, compared with 27.9 days for those receiving usual care. Rates of emergency department visits, unplanned hospitalizations, and death during the 30-day follow-up period also did not differ between groups.

  • The study was conducted in 2026.

The players

Care Anywhere with Community Paramedics (CACP)

A program that provides home-based medical care by community paramedics as an alternative to hospital-based care.

Mayo Clinic

A nonprofit organization committed to clinical practice, education, and research, providing comprehensive care to patients from all 50 states and nearly 140 countries.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The CACP program, which enrolled highly complex patients with heterogeneous care needs, did not decrease 30-day acute care use compared with alternative usual care pathways, but it improved patient satisfaction and was preferred by most participants.”

— Rozalina G. McCoy, MD, MS, Researcher

What’s next

Researchers plan to further investigate the potential benefits of community paramedic programs, particularly for specific patient populations or in certain geographic areas.

The takeaway

While the CACP program did not reduce hospital use, it suggests that home-based community paramedic care is preferred by patients and could be a valuable option for certain populations, even if it does not lead to shorter hospital stays or fewer emergency department visits.