Lt. Governor Primavera Tours Ute Pass Regional Health Services District to See State Investment in Mobile Integrated Health

WOODLAND PARK - Today, Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera joined local leaders, regional emergency medicine professionals and staff to tour the Ute Pass Regional Health Services District in Woodland Park to see firsthand how the Connected Care for Rural Colorado Grant from the Colorado Office of eHealth Innovation (OeHI) helped the district modernize its Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) and laid the groundwork for stronger, better-connected MIH programs across the state.

"Where you live should never determine whether you can access the care you need. For too many rural Coloradans, seeing a provider could mean a four-hour trip, a day of lost wages, and a potentially dangerous drive over a snow-packed mountain pass. Programs like the one here at Ute Pass bring care directly to people's doorsteps, and that is exactly the kind of innovation our administration has worked to support. Our investment into rural health is helping communities and growing access to quality, affordable care across our state," said Lt. Governor and Director of the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care Primavera.

Ute Pass Regional Health Services District is an emergency medical services provider serving Teller and Douglas counties. They received a $656,005 grant from OeHI to upgrade their MIH equipment, integrate internal systems, and expand access to advanced provider-level support for "treatment-in-place" or TIP decisions. Trinidad Ambulance District also received $460,000 to develop their own MIH program in Las Aminas County. Together, the two awards represent more than $1.1 million in state investment in rural emergency and community care.

"Collaborative projects like this are imperative for increasing access to care for marginalized populations like those seeking services in geographically isolated areas. One of the things that connects agencies like Delta, Eagle, Trinidad, and Ute Pass EMS is our ability to leverage technology and innovation to empower communities towards meaningful person-centered communications. Funding projects like this are the tools that enable clarity through data driven storytelling, showing the true impact of lived experiences," said James McLaughlin, Director of Community Paramedicine with Ute Pass Regional Health Services.

Mobile Integrated Health programs bring care directly into the community, connecting patients to the right level of care while easing the strain on emergency departments and ambulance services. These programs allow community paramedics to treat non-emergency health needs on site, and enable patients to avoid an unnecessary trip to the emergency department. They also support lower hospital readmissions through in-home post-discharge follow-up visits. In addition to the benefits for patients and communities, these programs can produce positive financial impacts for the state and the healthcare system as a whole. A recent report produced by the Colorado Mobile Integrated Health Data Consortium estimates that EMS agencies' current provision of 911 TIP services generates an estimated $58 million in annual savings from avoided emergency department visits.

"I have learned so much about what is possible with community paramedicine in my work with these organizations, and it is such an honor to be able to support their efforts in making emergency healthcare better for all of us," said Ashley Heathfield, Senior Program Manager.

Across all 16 rural grantees, the Connected Care for Rural Colorado grant program is already delivering measurable results. Grantees trained 66 staff members in new or updated programs and procedures, developed 90 new standard operating procedures, digitized more than 10,000 paper documents, and outfitted 16 emergency vehicles with updated technology to improve their ability to respond and coordinate in emergencies. Grantees also reported saving at least 304 staff hours every month, the equivalent of 1.75 full-time employees per year.

About the Colorado Office of eHealth Innovation (OeHI)

The Colorado Office of eHealth Innovation was established through executive order in 2015 and serves as the State-Designated Entity responsible for managing and coordinating all Health IT strategy, policy, and funding across Colorado's public and private sectors. Its core mission is to advance health parity and reduce health disparities in Colorado by coordinating health information technology, policies, and funding initiatives. Learn more at oehi.colorado.gov.

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