San Diego County Fire and Medical Care Services have partnered to deliver healthcare support to patients in rural communities after discharge from Sharp Grossmont Hospital. The Rural Health Discharge Program pairs a County Fire/CAL FIRE Paramedic Captain with a Public Health Nurse to provide in-home care and assistance to reduce hospital readmissions.
In rural areas, limited access to healthcare services and long travel times to facilities can pose significant barriers to recovery. To address these challenges, a specialized healthcare team visits patients after hospital discharge, offering services such as:
- Patient education on their medical condition
- Medication review and instruction
- Assistance with healthcare appointments and follow-up care
- Referrals to health and social care programs (insurance, food, transportation, medical supplies)
- Installation of no-cost smoke detectors, Knox boxes, and vegetation clearance
- Companionship and emotional support
This specialized team supports patients for up to 30 days after discharge, helping them manage their conditions and resolve issues at home. This in-home care ultimately reduces the need for emergency services and readmissions.
Currently available to patients discharged from Sharp Grossmont Hospital, the program serves the rural communities of Boulevard, Campo, Descanso, Guatay, Jacumba, Pine Valley, Potrero, and Tecate. In some cases, patients are visited in skilled nursing facilities.
County Fire, CAL FIRE, and Medical Care Services work alongside East County advocacy groups, including Sharp Grossmont Hospital, Grossmont Healthcare District, and San Ysidro Healthcare. This pilot program, funded by Grossmont Healthcare District and County Medical Care Services, seeks to close the healthcare gap in rural areas by providing equitable care and reducing readmission rates within the first 30 days after discharge.
