Manatee County EMS Receives the First Accreditation in Mobile-Integrated Healthcare/Community Paramedicine in Florida
MANATEE COUNTY, FL (January 30, 2025) – Manatee County’s Community Health Program, part of Manatee County Emergency Medical Services, has become as the first entity in Florida earning full accreditation under Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services (CAMTS) Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) Accreditation Standards and only the second in the United States.
“We are ecstatic to be the first MIH program accredited in Florida,” said Clinical Supervisor for the program, Sonia Shuhart. “It shows all the hard work we have put into making a great program even better.”
The accreditation was just awarded at the January 2025 Board meeting of CAMTS. The MIH Standards were developed over a two-year process, using subject-matter experts from around the country. The first edition of the MIH Standards was published on April 22, 2022, with the nation’s first application taking place in 2023.
For accreditation, the program must first complete a self-assessment using a standards compliance tool. Once submitted, the standards compliance tool is reviewed for compliance and completeness before site surveyors visit the program to interview the staff. Their report then goes to an Accreditation Review Committee (ARC), comprised of MIH subject-matter experts. The ARC makes an accreditation recommendation before sending it to the full CAMTS Board for final determination.
“We are so proud of the work the team does to bridge the gaps in healthcare in our community,” said Shannon Shanks, Nurse Practitioner for the program. “This accreditation confirms the team’s abilities to collaborate within our community to provide care to those most in need.”
Manatee County Emergency Medical Services is the primary 911-emergency response service to the citizens and visitors of Manatee County. The Manatee County Community Health Program consists of a diverse team with a licensed clinical social worker, case managers, paramedics, a community health worker, a nurse practitioner, a nurse and a resource coordinator.
“Watching our Community Paramedic program evolve into what we now know as the Community Health Program has been rewarding,” said Public Safety Deputy Director James Crutchfield. “Our team doesn't just treat patients; they build relationships, break down barriers and bring quality healthcare directly to those in need.”
According to Jan Eichel, Executive Director of CAMTS, “We knew it would be a while after we published the Standards for programs to apply and complete the process. Most programs need as much as a year to prepare documents, policies and procedures, education records, meeting minutes, safety documents, etc., to meet the standards.” She added, “We ask for a lot of documentation and interview a lot of people in the program as part of the process.”