NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, INC.
Grant: $250,000 - Health Resources and Services Administration - Jun. 29, 2009
50% voted satisfied - 50% voted not satisfied - 2 vote(s) cast
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Award Description: NATIVE HEALTH was awarded $250,000 to utilize for Capital Improvements associated with the functions of the Agency Community Health Center Program. The agency asked for and received funding to enable establishment of the Electronic Health Record system and physical electronic communication components for a new clinic. The project enabled the agency to link the communication systems between the two agencies and establish hardware sufficient to support the Electronic Medical Record and Communications systems. The agency will purchase software compatible with the Electronic Health Record and Patient Management system to enable billing of out sources through electronic communication. The program is administered under the HRSA Community Health Center Initiative. NATIVE HEALTH recently established a second clinic to serve an expanded service population within an area identified through federal procedures as a medically underserved population area. The area does not have sufficient medical services that accept Medicaid or provide health care on an affordable sliding fee scale for the uninsured. NATIVE HEALTH provides a service to alleviate the area ?Medically Underserved? status.
Project Description: The clinic opened on July 1, 2009. It is an expansion project within a new site for the agency. NATIVE HEALTH utilized the grant funding to establish an electronic communication system for the new site. This included phone and computer cabling, computer and phone hardware, and software. The funding enabled NATIVE HEALTH to institute a single communication system that links the two sites. Electronic information and the phone systems that have been established function as if they are in one building. This is an initial step toward establishing electronic medical records that function between the two facilities enabling patients to be served in either facility. The Patient Management part of the system has been implemented. This is the part of the system that allows for scheduling of patients and coordinating care. The next phase will involve establishing and implementation of the Electronic Medical Record system. Patient information will be collected and stored electronically. There are several associated advantages to quality of care. An additional phase will include implementation of the system that will allow for electronic billing of Medicaid, Medicare and private insurances. (Currently the agency utilizes an electronic billing system that is not linked, and cannot be linked to the electronic Medical Record being established) The funding is available to be used over a period of two years.
Infrastructure Description: Linking the Primary site electronically to the additional clinic: NATIVE HEALTH data will be maintained on a secure system server at the primary site. Patient records will be available at both facilities. Several services are provided at the primary site that are not available as of yet at the New Access Point clinic. These services are available for referral; the medical record will be available. All data and information is backed up through an additional off site computer system to assure maintenance of information in the event of a disaster at either site. The phone system is linked enabling patients and others to call either facility through a central phone clerk/receptionist. Electronic Medical Record: The electronic record is organized to enable providers to easily access relevant information regarding each patient. Patient health status may be tracked and contrasted over time. The system is designed to include prompts to assure the providers order appropriate tests and re-assessments at appropriate intervals. This is especially significant with diabetic patients. Diabetes is a significant concern among the agency targeted populations; American Indians and Hispanics. Electronic Billing System: The agency currently must enter client information into two systems to enable both the Electronic Medical Record to function and facilitate billing. The system to be purchased and installed will enable elimination of the second system that is needed to facilitate billing. Medicaid, Medicare and private insurances are responsive to electronic billing mechanisms.
Jobs Summary: The project utilized current personnel and vender personnel to establish the system and implement the portions currently utilized. The project additionally utilized personnel from various agencies including Indian Health Services to provide technical assistance and training in utilization of systems purchased and initiated. (Total jobs reported: 0)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Jun. 29, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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