Community Health & Wellness Partners of Logan County is taking special care to look out for its patients and also the entire county during the COVID-19 crisis, president and CEO Tara Bair said this week.
A number of precautions have been implemented at the health care offices so that patients of all ages can still see their provider for their regular medical care in a safe setting.
In addition, the health care organization has formed a COVID-19 task force that meets regularly, and during March, set up a special “surge” clinic specifically for coronavirus patients in the rear of the 212 E. Columbus Ave., Suite 1, Bellefontaine office.
While Logan County did not encounter the type of surge that was predicted for these cases and the clinic was not needed at that time, this is an example of how the federally-qualified health care center is able to step up to the plate to assist during a crisis.
“Community Health & Wellness Partners is here and we’re ready to help,” Bair said.
“We knew that health centers needed to address community needs during a pandemic. It’s a part of our grant and we wanted to help to be a ‘shock absorber’ for the hospital.
“My staff were on it. During the COVID-19 crisis, I have been so overwhelmed by their dedication to the profession. They are amazing.”
Bair said the surge clinic is located within a rented space inside their building and is arranged with triage stations, 14 patient bays, a hand washing station and more. The goal for the space is to assess patients to determine if they need hospital care or if they could return home.
CHWP physician Dr. Kenneth Miller was instrumental in setting up the surge clinic and emergency drills were conducted with staff members to finalize preparations. The space will remain available if needed for this purpose later in the year, Bair related.
For CHWP patients during the pandemic, a number of options also have been made available to protect them from exposure to illness.
Currently, the Bellefontaine office offers well patient appointments in the mornings and sick appointments in the afternoons and has hours available Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings. The West Liberty Community Health Center, 4879 S. U.S. Route 68, is providing only “non-sick” appointments at this time.
All patients are screened by medical staff prior to meeting with providers.
Additionally, the Indian Lake Community Health Center, located at the Aries Wellness Center Building, 8200 State Route 366, Suite 1, Russells Point, is currently closed for patient care to maintain a “clean” site if needed, but will reopen June 1.
Since the health crisis began, CHWP has greatly extended its telehealth options, and currently provides all of its behavioral health visits through this method, Bair said.
“Telehealth has really gone ‘viral’ so to speak, and it is here to stay. Our behavioral health visits have really increased during this time. This option makes it so much easier and convenient for people see our specialists in the comfort of their homes.”
“Sick” visits also are available through telehealth, with appointments oftentimes available within 15 minutes, the organization’s website www.chwplc.org states. The Bellefontaine office also has expanded its wireless Internet reach, so that individuals can even connect to the Internet in the parking lot if they don’t have that capability at home, the president/CEO said.
In addition, curbside sick appointments also are available, where providers can treat patients in their cars.
“We say we will treat you in your home, in your car or in your house – we’ll come to you wherever you are,” Bair said, noting that providers at times have even offered in-home visits.
CHWP offers a unique integrated approach to patient care through the collaboration of its providers and expanding services beyond traditional primary care. Also on site are behavioral health, chronic care management, pharmacy and nutrition.
“All of those services are available right here within our walls,” Bair said. “If someone is seeing a provider and they also have a high score on a depression screening, we can get them connected with behavioral health right away.
“Our clinic space also is set up with an open concept that lends itself to a team approach for providers to work together to treat the whole patient.”
The Bellefontaine office’s new behavioral health-dedicated wing opened in January. CHWP employs a full-time psychiatrist and nine additional staff members and the integrated behavioral health program can assist patients with depression and anxiety, family and child issues, substance abuse disorders and other mental health difficulties.
Since the forming of the organization through the opening West Liberty Community Health Center in 2014, CHWP has experienced tremendous growth, now with its three sites serving approximately 12,000 patients a year, Bair said. CHWP initially employed 13 people and now six years later, employs 80 individuals.
The organization’s budget also has expanded from $1.5 million to more than $9 million.
The president and CEO said the Community Health & Wellness Partners also is looking at preliminary plans to open a new site as well.
“We have been amazed and overwhelmed at our growth in the community; it’s been a real joy. We’re excited for the future.”
