Since the Sparrow Medical Group VOA practice launched six months ago, serving the area’s homeless, they have averaged over 100 visits per week.
“The way we provide care is very innovative,” says Patrick Patterson, the physician on staff, “But we are really just touching the tip of the iceberg.” It takes a lot, he added, to set a route to good health in the homeless community.
They look to help in four areas; medical and mental health, stability, and a place to live/source of income. To help in these areas, the clinic brings together 14 different programs that help with a variety of different conditions. Mental health, addiction, and many disabling conditions are often problems that many homeless can’t get treated for. When they can’t get treatment, they are are unable to work.
“The most rapid place for innovation is the healthcare system,” says Patterson. By cutting down the number of ER visits and ambulance calls, costs can be lowered all across the community. When someone is kept out of the hospital, the bill isn’t generated and the cost to the taxpayer is lower. When people have decent healthcare, says Patterson, “it’s not always a calamity.”
The program has also created eight jobs and Patterson says they are just getting started.
Source: Patrick Patterson, Volunteers of America
?Author: Allison Monroe, Innovation News Editor
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