Photo caption: The NYG@Home, NYCares and Toronto Paramedic Services (TPS) Community Paramedics teams at North York General.
By: Amanda Cheung, Communications Coordinator, North York General
To provide timely and coordinated care to older adults after a hospital stay, North York General (NYG) is partnering with Toronto Paramedic Services (TPS) Community Paramedics.
This partnership supports patients enrolled in NYG’s hospital-to-home care programs — NYG@Home and NYCares — and is designed to reduce emergency department visits and hospital readmissions by helping older adults manage illness and recover safely at home.
NYG is the second hospital in the Greater Toronto Area to enter into a partnership with TPS’ Community Paramedicine Program, which is funded by the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto.
A Gap in Patient Care
Between 2023 and 2024, NYG’s Charlotte & Lewis Steinberg Emergency saw more than 76,000 ED visits from patients over the age of 60, underscoring the need for proactive care for older adults.
A recognized leader in older adults’ health care, NYG supports more than 500 older adults annually through NYG@Home and NYCares. Many of these patients live with chronic diseases that can be managed at home with the right support. But challenges such as limited access to primary care or navigating the health care system may cause vulnerable individuals to turn to the ED to help manage their conditions.
NYG’s partnership with TPS’ Community Paramedics offers a solution: same day acute care delivered to patients in the home before a treatable condition becomes a medical emergency.
How it Works
Community Paramedicine focuses on treating illness and provides a range of services including assessments, diagnostic testing, treatment, referrals to local community services such as home care, and education on managing chronic conditions.
TPS’ Community Paramedics also provide urgent and transitional care for conditions that can be safely treated in the home, typically within hours to address a patient’s unique needs.
“This partnership represents a powerful shift towards truly integrated, client centered care. By combining the strengths of both agencies and leveraging innovative technology, we’re able to deliver timely and high-quality care directly in people’s homes—support that would otherwise require a hospital or clinic visit,” says Bikram Chawla, Chief, Toronto Paramedic Services.
“The partnership builds on trust, collaboration, and the shared commitment to provide the best care for our most vulnerable community members.”
TPS’ Community Paramedics are able to respond clinical symptoms identified by patients and home care staff, conduct in-home assessments, and administer the first dose of treatment. If ongoing care is needed, TPS’ Community Paramedics connect with NYG’s Community Nurse Practitioner to continue treatment and coordinate follow-up care. These timely interventions lower the likelihood of emergency incidents and escalation in medical conditions, while easing the strain on hospitals.
“North York General is proud to be among the first hospitals in Toronto to partner with the TPS Community Paramedicine Program and deliver more in-person care to our rapidly growing seniors’ population in the comfort of home,” says Dr. Everton Gooden, President and CEO of NYG. “Community partnerships are key to our vision of creating world-class care, 24/7 and connecting teams and services around patients to deliver healthcare that is convenient, seamless and comprehensive.”
The partnership launched with a focus on urinary tract infections, a condition frequently seen in the ED. NYG also plans to expand care for other common conditions affecting older adults, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Congestive Heart Failure, diabetes, and falls.
Building the Partnership
NYG worked closely with Patient Experience Partners, TPS’ Community Paramedicine Program and contracted Service Provider Organizations to co-design this care pathway. Together, they created patient personas, mapped out the care process and identified escalation points to ensure the model was responsive to each patient’s individual needs.
One of the most impactful advantages of this partnership is TPS’ Community Paramedics have secure access to NYG’s electronic medical record system — something that is not possible during emergency calls when patient information is limited. Through the partnership with NYG,
TPS’ Community Paramedics have the ability to view a patient’s full health history during in-home visits so they can make better-informed decisions and deliver more holistic care tailored to a patient’s needs.
“We are deeply grateful to have partners at the table — organizations and individuals who share a common purpose, engage with openness, and bring a willingness to think creatively about how care can be delivered differently within our communities,” says Zahra Ismail, NYG’s Program Director, Transitional Care, Community Integration & Ambulatory Care.
“Their commitment and collaboration are essential to advancing new models of care that improve patient experiences and outcomes.”
Learn more about the Toronto Paramedic Services’ Community Paramedicine Program here and NYG’s Strategic Plan and Vision, World-Class Care, 24/7, at strategicplan.nygh.on.ca.