Tombigbee Healthcare Authority announces dates for Health Care on Wheels

Studies have shown that when people have access to health care within their reach, they are more apt to use it. The Tombigbee Healthcare Authority (THA) hopes to bring health care to those in need this summer by means of its Health Care on Wheels mobile health clinic.

While there have been several programs and projects developed and implemented to address communities’ health care needs in the Delta Region of Alabama, unfortunately, there continues to be a gap between service provision and access, especially in the cities targeted in the grant application. These areas include those where there are no health care provider offices, no Federally Qualified Health Care Clinics, no hospitals within 60 miles or more, and no emergency medical care.

Currently, THA has the only mobile health van available to the target counties who provide primary health care services. Other mobile health vans like the Veterans Administration Hospital only see patients who are veterans. Additional reasons why this program is needed because people in the areas targeted in this grant do not have access to transportation and live a distance away from immediate health care. Making access available to them steps away from home will encourage them to seek health care early. Also, it will assist people in locating a medical home, medication, affordable health insurance, and other community resources. It will also encourage health care providers to seek to practice in a rural area after seeing the need aboard the mobile clinic.

The mobile medical van is a totally independent unit with the capability of performing patient hands-on health care/clinic services. The type of services to be offered will include, but not limited to, a complete health assessment, preventive health screenings (i.e. blood sugar checks, cholesterol, and blood pressure checks.) Delivery of services will be provided by a doctor, certified registered nurse practitioner, and a registered nurse. The target patient population will consist of those who are 19 and above. Patients younger will be referred if no acute care is needed at the point of contact. The clinical design–equipment and facility–of the HCOW-MC (Health Care On Wheels Mobile Clinic) includes two medical exam rooms, each equipped with an exam table, blood pressure wall unit and cabinets, space for patient intake, small waiting areas, and a bathroom. The HCOW-MC also includes heating and air conditioning units so that windows may remain closed to promote privacy and compliance with HIPAA regulations. It is also wheel chair accessible, with an awning for outside seating and safety features such as back-up camera and burglar alarm.

The overarching goal of the Health Care On Wheels Program is to develop and expand primary health care services in the Delta Region that addresses longstanding and unmet health needs that will ultimately:

• Reduce the disease and economic burden of chronic disease
• Improve the quality of life for persons who have or are at risk of developing chronic disease
• Increase outreach and linkage to other healthcare resources

Within these goals, the objective is to provide residents, who do not have access to a doctor, immediate primary health care services, preventative health care services, and outreach linkages to health resources.

We understand the importance of a healthy community, and want to help you meet your health care needs.