Resource Center intervenes, saves lives
An infected toenail may seem routine to some, but for people who are diabetic and homeless, it can turn into gangrene and even lead to amputation.
To try to prevent outcomes like these, Generations Healthcare partners with Backus Hospital and the Backus Mobile Health Resource Center to treat and provide care for the homeless in Norwich.
"The Backus Mobile Health Resource Center has been invaluable this year," said Lee-Ann Gomes, supervisor of social work at Norwich Human Services. The center was established through a generous donation from Norwich philanthropist Harold Ross, who died in April.
The mobile health center — a 40-foot clinic on wheels — was parked outside the Norwich Homeless Shelter two days a week, Monday and Thursday. Staff members from Generations would come in Sunday night to meet with clients and ask them to come to the health center the next day.
"People who won't or can't go to the hospital would seek treatment at the health center," Ms. Gomes said.
Judi Gaudet, outreach nurse for Generations Healthcare to the Homeless Program, said the program reduces emergency room visits by getting people the medical care they need before it becomes an emergency.
Through the program, the nurses not only address medication issues, but also make referrals to other social service agencies and help clients access insurance and housing.
Ms. Gomes said 70% of the people who stayed at the city's seasonal homeless shelter left with medical insurance. From Nov. 4 through April 19, the center served 87 people, according to a recent report.
Ms. Gaudet said there are more than 400 clients registered as homeless in the area, and there are more unregistered.
"Because we are there and they know us, people do come in who wouldn't go to a doctor and we can help them establish a medical record," she said.
One man who had suffered a stroke had been evicted from his apartment.
"We were getting ready to place him in housing, but we thought he needed more. Before taking him, we took him to the [Mobile Health Resource Center] to clean him up and they realized his blood pressure was really high. He was sent to the hospital, where he was admitted. After that, we were able to place him into a skilled nursing home, which is what he needed," Ms. Gomes said. "Having the Mobile Health Resource Center right there was instrumental in getting him the care he needed."
James O'Dea, PhD, Administrative Director of the Department of Psychiatric Services at Backus Hospital, said the homeless rely on the health van for lifesaving interventions.
"There are so many cases that didn't turn into catastrophes because of the staff and the Resource Center," he said. "A cold that doesn't turn into pneumonia, an infected toenail of a diabetic patient that doesn't become gangrene and require amputation. Without these services, they would end up in the emergency room and have a higher level of morbidity and mortality."