What's New | March 14, 2012

Improving Health of Urban, Low-Income Populations

Residents of urban, low-income communities often face multiple barriers to accessing preventive health care services and specialty care for chronic conditions, which can contribute to health disparities.

The featured Innovations describe three programs that used different community-based approaches to enhance access to care and improve health status of urban, low-income populations.

The featured QualityTools provide information and resources that address the needs of economically disadvantaged individuals.

Featured Innovations:

• Church-Health System Partnership Facilitates Transitions from Hospital to Home for Urban, Low-Income African Americans, Reducing Mortality, Utilization, and Costs

• In-School, Portable Clinic Brings Comprehensive Dental Care to Impoverished Hispanic Children
with Story

• Interactive Videoconferences Increase Primary Care Provider Knowledge and Confidence, Leading to Enhanced Access to Specialty Care for Low-Income Urban Patients

Featured QualityTools:

• Get Covered. Get in the Game. Campaign
Developed by InsureKidsNow.gov

• Homelessness Resource Center
Developed by Center for Mental Health Services; Institute on Homelessness and Trauma; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (U.S.)

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Also in This Issue:

Innovations >

• "Safe Zone" in Doorway Improves Hospital Clinician Productivity and the Frequency and Quality of Interactions With Isolated Patients

• Field-Based Outreach Workers Facilitate Access to Health Care and Social Services for Underserved Individuals in Rural Areas

• Interactive, Web-Based Educational Program Enhances Knowledge, Attitudes, and Health Outcomes in Individuals With Diabetes

• Pharmacist Provides Telephone-Based Medication Reconciliation and Education to Recently Discharged Patients, Leading to Fewer Readmissions

• Proactive Assessment and Management of At-Risk Patients Reduces Pressure Ulcers and Saves $11 Million Annually in Two-Hospital System

• Interim Methadone Maintenance Program Reduces Heroin Use and Increases Treatment Entry Rates for Addicts Awaiting Comprehensive Services

QualityTools >

• Emergency Severity Index, Version 4: Implementation Handbook, 2012 Edition
Developed by ESI Triage Research Team

• iTriage
Developed by Healthagen, LLC

• The Health Communicator's Social Media Toolkit
Developed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Articles >

• The Innovations Exchange Can Be an Effective, Practical Teaching Tool: An Interview With Judith Kunisch, BSN, MBA, Lecturer, Yale School of Nursing, Innovations Exchange Expert Panel Member