A Cycle of Care - Unity Health Care

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Maximizing Resources and Expanding Care: Highlights of 2008–09 Like individuals and organizations across America, Unity has had to do more with less in recent years. We have improved our efficiency — and expanded our partnerships — so we would not lose ground in providing health care to the most medically vulnerable people residing in our nation’s capital. Unity has continued to provide care, expanding the number of patients served and patient visits throughout 2008 and 2009. We’ve been able to do so because we work closely with foundations, corporations, other nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and individuals to find the resources we need to serve our patients. Together, Unity and our partners create a cycle of care — from our Partners in Caring to our health care delivery teams to our patients — that provides the support for Unity to offer quality, comprehensive health care and medication to everyone who walks through our doors, regardless of his or her ability to pay. It is this cycle, this joint effort, that allows us to effectively treat our patients’ health care needs and, in the process, help them dramatically improve their lives. Our patients Fifty-seven percent of Unity patients live at or below the poverty level. Another 11 percent have incomes up to twice the poverty level. These individuals and families receive care on a sliding fee scale based on their incomes. Many patients pay nothing at all for their care. Without Unity’s grassroots approach to linking individuals and families with medical care in their neighborhoods, most would have no health care options except the emergency room. Our providers Unity’s health care professionals include providers, nurses, certified medical assistants, specialists, case managers, social service providers, nutritionists, and others who are dedicated to their patients. These well-educated clinicians offer the same care that well-insured patients receive in private practices. They are highly trained in the health challenges facing economically disadvantaged communities, as well as in the medical and educational tools to address them. Moreover, they work closely as a team, so all patients receive comprehensive, coordinated care that addresses their current concerns, as well as their long-term needs. Our promise Unity patients face a range of health problems — including poor nutrition, high rates of hypertension and diabetes, homelessness, substance abuse, and high rates of HIV/AIDS — that are all too common in disenfranchised urban communities throughout our nation. Our patients face significant barriers to care. Every day, teams of people at Unity health centers find ways to address their patients’ concerns, overcome barriers, and help them live more fulfilling lives through better health. Every patient who walks through Unity’s doors receives respectful, high-quality care, and every day, we find new ways to help patients work through the medical, administrative, personal, and cultural issues that they must negotiate to improve or maintain their health. 2 unity health care
Highlights of 2008–09 include: • Opening a comprehensive dental clinic within the Federal City- CCNV Homeless Primary Care Service Site. This dental treatment center, one of the first of its kind in the nation, provides the District’s homeless men and women with comprehensive oral health services. It was made possible, in part, by support from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. • Establishing a Re-Entry Health Center that provides health care and social services to District residents who have been recently released from correctional settings. This center provides critical care that helps these individuals re-enter their communities. This center is supported though the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation LIPP Grant; Consumer Health; Abel Foundation; Meyers Foundation; the Cafritz Foundation; and Department of Health HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Administration (HAHSTA) Ryan White Part B. • Fully implementing an electronic health record system and an electronic practice management system at all 26 of our health facilities. Electronic record keeping improves the effectiveness, efficiency, safety, and quality of Unity’s care. It also enhances our capacity to collect, monitor, and use data, which is critical for quality assurance and quality improvement activities. • Assuming management of the former Ambulatory Care Center on the grounds of DC General Hospital. Adding to our network of community health centers, Unity Health Care at DC General provides primary health care and specialty services. • Hosting the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Child Watch visit at the Upper Cardozo Health Center. A group of prominent Hollywood women — Jessica Alba, Regina King, Keri Russell, Jurnee Smollett, Ali Wentworth, and others — joined CDF President Marian Wright Edelman and the District of Columbia’s First Lady Michelle Fenty on a children’s health reform Child Watch Day. The visitors held a roundtable discussion with health care providers and working families from across the country to discuss the struggles they face in accessing quality affordable health care for their children. Unity Health Care Patients Incomes of Unity Health Care Patients In 2009, Unity provided care for more than 81,000 men, women, and children who made more than 535,500 visits to our facilities. This represents a nearly 24 percent increase in visits compared with 2007. Because the number of patients served has increased only Homeless slightly (1.5 percent), patients are men, women, returning for more visits and and children receiving more ongoing care. 90% 10% The working poor and their families, including those who are uninsured and underinsured Fifty-seven percent of Unity patients live at or below the poverty level. Zero percent have incomes greater than 200 percent of the poverty level. Incomes up to 200% of the poverty level 32% Incomes that are unknown 11% 57% Incomes at or below the poverty level 2008 AND 2009 annual reports 3
Page 1 and 2: A Cycle of Care 2008 and 2009 Annua
Page 3: Celebrating the Cycle of Care A Mes
Page 7 and 8: The Unity program provides a suppor
Page 9 and 10: Sally*, a 37-year-old homeless woma
Page 11 and 12: grants fund a family planning educa
Page 13 and 14: Boyd, Ms. Lark Boyde, Mr. Dion Boyk
Page 15 and 16: Parish, Ms. Rechetta D. Parraway, M
Page 17 and 18: Board of Directors Franklyn Baker C
Page 19 and 20: Mission Unity Health Care, Inc., of

A Cycle of Care - Unity Health Care

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?