Mobile Integrated Community Health

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

In August 2020, Howard County, Maryland, implemented its Mobile Integrated Community Health (MICH) program. The program is a collaborative public-private initiative whose primary goal is to decrease non-emergency 911 calls for service by identifying the underlying social and medical issues facing county residents and connecting them with needed resources. The program utilizes specially trained paramedics and specialists, including social workers, registered nurses, and community health workers, to assess and implement individualized patient-centered plans. The program has also quickly expanded beyond its initial mission and now serves a pivotal role in the county's COVID-19 related services, including patient follow-up, COVID-19 testing, as well as vaccination to residents of Howard County. In the program's first six months, MICH has enrolled 76 clients, made over 141 referrals for service, and resulted in 44 home visits. 84% of those who have received a home visit have reduced 911 calls, averaging 2.84 fewer 911 calls per client. As of March 2020, the MICH program has conducted over 600 COVID tests (including antibody and PCR tests) and has administered COVID-19 vaccinations to nearly 1,200 residents through the program’s mobile vaccination efforts.