Rural Healthcare Delivery: Bringing care to the people

Warm Springs Indian Health ServicesAnd

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs

Joint Health Commission

Background

• Collaborative effort with Joint Health Commission

• Warm Springs is located on 644,000 acres• Access to data connectivity is limited in many

areas of the reservation• Wanting to take services to the people• Taking a modern clinic to the medical mobile

unit

Background• Primary Healthcare on the reservation is

currently provided by Indian Health Service• Local service unit serves roughly 6,500 people• 5 family practice physicians, 4 mid-level

providers, 1 Podiatrist• Dental, Optometry, Lab imagery, Pharmacy • 6 exam rooms, 2 ancillary rooms and 1 two-bed

treatment area• Space to see patients is an issue

Project History

• 2011- Project Planning began • Joint project between I.H.S. and Tribal staff• 2012- Farber Specialty Vehicles out of Ohio

was selected as the design & build contractor• 2012- Initial contract completed• 2013- Unit Delivered in September

Project History cont……

• 2013 ground breaking ceremony – Blessing, Tribal Council, community invited – Flu clinic

• 2013 – Flu clinic at Fire Safety• 2013 – Flu clinic at Fire Management• 2013 – Diabetes Awareness, HEP C screening

and flu clinic• ECE (Early Childhood Education), WS

Elementary school

Mobile Medical Unit

Care Delivery Objectives

• Deliver care to community members who may defer primary care or who have limited access to care

• Provide routine and preventive services in the community

• Alleviate congestion in the clinic setting

Planned Clinics

• General medical• Senior• Dental • Diabetes• Community Health• School Health – New School K-8th, ECE• Podiatry

Benefits

• Access to care• Alternative site• Expanding services with current space issues• Creates two more exam rooms• Delivery of care close to home• Use fire houses as central places• Moving service outside of center• Driver is an EMT, can provide triage

Challenges

• Electronic Health Record Connectivity• Process and procedure development• Supplies and equipment• Developing an appropriate staffing model• Establishing regular hours• Culture issues• Social marketing – How to sell ourselves

Wishes

• Expand access to care to all without barriers• Integrated system

Caroline.cruz@wstribes.orgTammy.wilson@wstribes.orgDwight.carpen@ihs.gov

Thank You and

Create A Good Day