2007 Clinic Update
We opened on August 17, 2006 and we’d like to update you on the service we’ve been able to provide in 2007 with the support of our generous volunteers, donors and community partners. We see patients Thursday evenings from 6-8:30 on a walk-in basis and two Monday evenings a month by appointment for established patients.
What kind of care did we provide in 2007?
• We saw 369 individual patients for a total of 731 visits. (Since we opened, we’ve had 940 visits total and served 487 individual patients.)
• 70% of the visits were for chronic health problems.
• 25% of our patients are given referrals for care we are unable to provide such as women’s health care or specialist care.
• We have 146 people on our chronic disease registry including 26 with diabetes, 90 with hypertension, and 38 with asthma.
• We focus on prevention of complications from chronic diseases by providing medications to lower cholesterol and protect the heart and kidneys of people with diabetes and hypertension.
• Our immunization capability increased and we did outreach for all patients on our registry at high risk of complications from influenza with over 50% vaccinated to date. We now provide pneumonia and tetanus vaccinations.
• We diagnosed and helped patients get treatment for breast and prostate cancer.
• By providing health care and exams, we helped people get jobs, most with medical coverage, including truck drivers, letter carriers, counselors, foster parents, and peace corp volunteers.
• We treated visitors from other countries and helped one patient over 60 achieve his goal of setting sail around the world.
Who are we seeing?
• 90% of our patients live in the inner North/Northeast neighborhood.
• 10% of our visits have come from our newest zip code area, 97203.
• Nearly all our patients have household incomes below 150% of the federal poverty level despite 60% being employed.
• 23% of the patients had health insurance within the last year and 67% lost their insurance due to job loss or changes.
• 49% of our patients are men and 51% are women.
• 42% are African American and 41% are Caucasian.
• In the preceding year, patients new to our clinic averaged one emergency room visit for every 2 patients. Those patients who had been cared for by our clinic the previous year averaged only 1 emergency room visit for every 10 patients.
• In the preceding year, patients new to our clinic averaged 6 days of work lost due to illness per patient. Those patients who had been cared for by our clinic the previous year averaged only 1 day of work lost per patient.
How do the patients feel about our service?
• Our patients, many living in poverty, have donated over one thousand dollars this year to support the work of our clinic.
• Our patients refer friends, family and neighbors to our clinic because they appreciate the care and service they have been given.
• We receive thanks and blessings every night we are open from those we care for.
What are our hopes for 2008?
• Recruit enough volunteers to be open 2 nights each week and plan for a 3rd weekly clinic.
• Find a space large enough to accommodate more patients each night.
• Improve health outcomes by improving outreach for follow-up of chronic problems.
• Continue to help more people increase employment options and lower emergency room visits by providing basic health care in their community.