Posted: 8/14/2017
Celebrate National Health Center Week
Delivering high quality, cost effective care to a growing number of uninsured patients can be a challenge for any healthcare organization. But through the use of innovative programs, staff with Parkland Health & Hospital System’s Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) health centers have developed unique ways to provide access for patients needing primary and specialty care.
Since the network of neighborhood-based health centers came to fruition in the late 1980’s, staff has looked for ways to meet the growing demand for services. In fiscal year 2016, Parkland recorded more than 1 million outpatient visits, and that number continues to rise.
Local health centers serve more than 25 million patients at more than 9,000 delivery sites in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories. One in every 15 people living in the U.S. depends on health center services. Those centers are recognized annually during National Health Center Week, which this year is celebrated Aug. 13-19.
“Since its inception, the COPC staff has continually developed innovative programs to meet the increasing needs for services in our community health centers,” said Noel Santini, MD, Senior Medical Director, Ambulatory Services at Parkland. “As more people move to Dallas County and need primary and specialty care services it is incumbent on us to find ways to increase access.”
Beginning with the introduction of community-based behavioral health services in the mid-’90s to this year’s launch of a variety of telemedicine specialty appointments, Parkland has been a national leader in developing population health management strategies.
In 2007, Parkland was one of the first in Texas to offer shared medical appointments (SMAs) with a group medication refill SMA. These appointments improve access to treatment, education and preventive care for patients. The program has steadily grown and Parkland now offers SMAs for newborn checkups, 2-4-month-old infant checkups, diabetes, asthma, smoking cessation and behavioral health, among others, at various Parkland outpatient facilities.
Another innovation are Parkland’s Today Clinics that provide immediate medical care for the treatment of acute illnesses and minor injuries on a non-emergency basis. The walk-in clinics, where no appointments are needed, were created to enhance continuity of care and increase access for patients in their community when their primary care provider s is not available. The Today Clinics were initially funded by the generous contribution of an anonymous donor.
Staff also opened four Acute Response Clinics (ARC) designed to provide transitional medical care for patients recently discharged from the hospital or treated in the emergency department needing a prompt scheduled follow up visit in the outpatient service. Seasonally, Parkland health centers also offer “Walk-in Wednesday” clinics for parents to bring school-age children for vaccinations without an appointment.
Other services offered at Parkland COPCs include pharmacy, radiology, pathology, behavioral health, Women & Infants Specialty Health programs and more.
“Whether it’s walk-in clinics for minor injuries or immunizations, specialty appointments in a group setting or via teleconferencing, Parkland health centers continue to redefine the way we deliver outpatient care to the patients of Dallas County,” Dr. Santini said. “Our goal is to provide the highest possible quality of care for every individual in a cost-efficient manner, and we employ everything from high touch to high tech options to ensure timely access.”
For more information about services available at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhospital.com.