Legacy Improvement Projects
During 2003 - 2008, Access HealthColumbus' strategic plan was focused on improving access to health care for vulnerable people in our community. While our public-private partnership coordinated many projects during this period, below are summaries of four legacy improvement projects:
Voluntary Care Network
Intro:
The Voluntary Care Network was established by Access HealthColumbus in 2004 to help vulnerable people access primary and specialty care through a decentralized or “virtual” network. In return for their participation, doctors obtain the benefits of a centralized scheduling and patient tracking system, a central staff that coordinates primary/specialty referrals, interpreters, access to affordable prescription drugs, transportation services, and a system that assists patients with enrollment in public insurance programs and other social services.
The results of the outcomes study showed health outcomes measurements that exhibit that after participating in the care coordination incubator (known as the Voluntary Care Network) for 24 months patients reported improved health status, increase in having a regular source of care, a 5.6% no show rate for medical appointments, and a 42% decrease in emergency room visits.
In 2008, the Access HealthColumbus Board decided that it was time to integrate the Voluntary Care Network into the community and conducted a feasibility study to determine the best fit for this program in the community. The feasibility study findings indicated that The Physicians Free Clinic would be the best fit.
Please click here to access the website for the Voluntary Care Network.
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Primary Care Expansion
Intro:
In 2004 and 2008, Access HealthColumbus coordinated collaborative projects to expand access to primary care services for vulnerable people.
On behalf of its public-private partnership, Access HealthColumbus increased access to primary health care services for over 25,000 vulnerable people in Franklin County.
Below are links to the primary care services expanded as part of this community initiative:
- Columbus Neighborhood Health Center - East Central Vision Services
- Community Development for All People - Mt. Carmel Health Station
- Lower Lights Christian Health Center
- Nationwide Children's Hospital - South High Primary Care Center
- OhioHealth - Grant Medical Center - Family Medicine Residency
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Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio
Intro:
Access HealthColumbus conducted the initial research on establishing a charitable pharmacy in central Ohio. Our collaborative approach led to the formation of the Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio under the leadership of the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. Moving forward, we will continue to assist the Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio’s board and staff with efforts to expand access to affordable prescription drugs.
Click here to access the website for the Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio.
