Pennsylvania Medics Aim to Keep Residents Out of Hospitals

Lancaster's community paramedicine program tackles issues that lead to frequent 911 calls and hospital visits.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 10:15am

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A glowing neon outline of a paramedic's medical bag, surrounded by pulsing lines of light, conceptually representing the community-based healthcare services provided by mobile medics.Innovative community paramedicine programs are working to keep residents healthy and out of the hospital through personalized, preventative care.Lancaster Today

A community paramedicine program in Lancaster, Pennsylvania is working to provide non-emergency care and address underlying issues that lead residents to frequently call 911 or cycle in and out of hospitals. The program aims to solve problems that keep people from getting the right care and support in the community.

Why it matters

Community paramedicine programs are an innovative approach to healthcare that can reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and emergency room visits, while also connecting patients with the resources they need to stay healthy at home. This model is gaining traction across the country as a way to improve population health and reduce healthcare costs.

The details

The Lancaster community paramedicine program dispatches specially trained medics to visit patients at home and provide non-emergency care, medication management, and connections to social services. This allows them to address underlying issues like food insecurity, transportation barriers, or mental health needs that may be driving frequent 911 calls or hospital readmissions.

  • The Lancaster community paramedicine program launched in 2021.

The players

Lancaster's Community Paramedicine Program

A healthcare initiative in Lancaster, Pennsylvania that sends specially trained medics to provide non-emergency care and connect patients to community resources.

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What’s next

The Lancaster program plans to expand its services to reach more residents in need of non-emergency support to stay healthy and avoid unnecessary hospital visits.

The takeaway

Community paramedicine programs like the one in Lancaster demonstrate how innovative healthcare models can improve patient outcomes and reduce costs by addressing the social determinants of health and providing personalized, preventative care in people's homes and communities.