October 3, 2007
New technologies are opening amazing frontiers in the treatment of diseases.
Unfortunately, the day-to-day practice of medicine has remained little changed for decades. Step into almost any medical office and you will most likely find one suite devoted entirely to maintaining files of patient records.
That, finally, is changing. More and more medical providers are replacing paper and ink record-keeping systems with electronic medical records. Currently, about 20% of all medical practices have implemented EMR. Among community clinics, less than 5% are using this technology. When CHAP goes live with its EMR system in November, it will be among the first clinics in Los Angeles to utilize EMR. As an early adopter, CHAP is demonstrating exemplary leadership in its desire to improve the quality of patient care.
What Are Electronic Medical Records? Electronic Medical Records (EMR) are computerized versions of the paper charts with which we are so familiar. Eventually, each exam room at CHAP will be equipped with a computer terminal that will put the patients’ medical history within instant reach. Current vital information can be added, lab orders and prescriptions issued and bills generated, all with the click of a mouse. Upon the completion of the visit, all information will have been recorded and filed on a secure server.
How will EMR benefit CHAP? The implementation of EMR technology will help to streamline the clinic’s back-office operations by reducing personnel necessary for billing and filing; enhancing charge capture as bills are submitted instantly; reducing the costs for office supplies; and increasing provider efficiency. Of even greater significance, this technology will benefit patients by improving the quality of care they receive. EMR will reduce errors and enable providers to make better clinical decisions by having information available when and where it is needed.
What is OCHIN? OCHIN, which serves as application service provider (ASP) for CHAP’s EMR system, is a nonprofit organization that provides quality health information and management services to strengthen businesses and improve the quality of patient care.
September 21, 2007
The U.S. Census Bureau recently released figures showing that the number of uninsured residents had jumped by nearly 2 million between 2005 and 2006 and now total 47 million. As stunning as this figure may be, it fails to provide the full scope of the problem. A study released this week by Families USA has estimated that as many as 89 million U.S. residents under age 65 were without insurance during the two-year period between 2006 and 2007. In simple terms, one-in-three U.S. residents have experienced a period of uninsurance over the past two years, an increase of 17 million more than a previous study of the years 1999-2000. It is no overstatement to say that struggle to find affordable health insurance affects every family in America.
September 19, 2007
Do you or someone you know wish to gain experience in public relations and resource development for a growing nonprofit organization? CHAP is seeking an intern to assist the Director of Development & External Affairs with grant development, special events, marketing/outreach and other administrative tasks. We would like a dependable person willing to devote ten hours a week. Please contact Brian Hayes, bhayes@chapcare.org, if you are interested.
September 4, 2007
CHAP is pleased to be participating in Macys 2007 “Passport-in-Store” Shopping Benefit. Now in its 25th year, this special event has raised more than $25 million for charities that provide services that benefit those with HIV/AIDS.
CHAP is selling special $10 tickets that will entitle you to 20% off all apparel and accessories and 10-15% off all other items (with a few exceptions) on Saturday, September 29. The more CHAP supporters visit the store that day, the greater our chances to receive additional funds raised by the event. Ticket holders may also enter a drawing for a spectacular shopping spree. Participating Macys stores include Macy’s Beverly Center, Pasadena (Lake Ave.), Sherman Oaks, South Coast Plaza, Fashion Valley/Mission Valley, Palm Desert, Fashion Show Mall Las Vegas. Tickets are available by calling Ellen Johnson at CHAP, (626) 398-6300 ext. 21.
HIV/AIDS is increasingly a disease of the poor. Funds raised by CHAP will be used to provide primary medical care to low-income, uninsured patients with HIV. Thank you for helping CHAP make a difference in our community!
August 29, 2007
According to a U.S. Census Bureau report issued this week, another two million Americans have joined the ranks of the uninsured in the past year. The number of uninsured Americans increased from an estimated 44.8 to 47 million. This represents 15.8 percent of the U.S. population. The percent and the number of children under 18 without health insurance increased to 11.7 percent from 10.9 percent from 2005 to 2006, which means that 8.7 million children lack coverage. The study reported that 19.3% of children in poverty are uninsured.
This trend can be attributed to primarily the decline in employer-based coverage, either through businesses dropping coverage or by making the employee’s share more costly than they can afford.
The legislature in Sacramento is running out of time to deliver on its promise of health care reform this session, and a failure to renew the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) on a national level will add to these already troubling statistics. Take action now!
August 22, 2007
Who is available in the middle of the night to answer your medical questions? Who can direct you to vital social service assistance or information, or enroll uninsured families in low-cost insurance programs? Who can help underserved families navigate the increasingly complex healthcare system?
PHiL can, that’s who—or, more precisely—that’s what.
The Pasadena Healthcare information Link—PHL for short—is available to help our community’s residents who don’t have health insurance or a medical home find the help they need. Simply call
(626) 744-PHIL or (626) 744-7445
PHL is the result of a determined community effort by the Pasadena Healthcare Consortium (PHC). Led by the Pasadena Public Health Department, consortium members representing CHAP, Huntington Memorial Hospital, Pacific Clinics, Pasadena Unified School District, Planned Parenthood of Pasadena, URDC/Bill Moore Clinic and Young and Healthy have been working together to develop new ways to strengthen our community’s unraveling health care safety net.
Components of the PHL project include a 24/7 nurse advice telephone line, the creation of a health and social service database, and the placement of friendly care managers at partner agencies who are trained to assist people to access vital health-related resources.
A Healthy Communities Access Program (HCAP) grant from the Health Resources Services Administration provided the seed money for this project. More funding is needed to sustain the project into the future.
Individuals with health insurance coverage have a resource to contact for medical advice and care. Now, residents of greater Pasadena without health insurance can contact PHL.
If PHL can’t help, who can?
August 7, 2007
The vast majority of working adults who are treated at CHAP are working adults. There was a time when employment meant having access to health insurance, but those days are long gone. More and more employers are placing a greater burden of insurance premiums on employees or dropping coverage altogether, leaving workers and their families at risk. A policy study released by the UCLA Center for Health Policy research describes the growing coverage gap experienced by those at the lowest rungs of the economic ladder. Researchers found that job-based health insurance among California workers living below the poverty level fell from 19.1 percent in 2001 to 13.7 percent in 2005. The drop was even further for workers living just about the poverty level, going from 42.6 percent in 2001 to 33 percent in 2005. The full report can be read here. CHAP is focused on expanding its capacity to provide high quality, affordable medical care to those who fall through the widening coverage gap.
July 31, 2007
In commemoration of National Health Center Week August 5-11, CHAP will be hosting a “Friends Breakfast” on Thursday, August 9, 7:30 am to 9. The informal event is open to all greater Pasadena residents who wish to learn how CHAP is improving the health of our community. CHAP is located at 1855 N. Fair Oaks Blvd., Pasadena. RSVP to (626) 398-6300 ext. 21.
July 27, 2007
Community Health Alliance of Pasadena (CHAP) is pleased to launch its inaugural blog. What’s the purpose of this experiment?
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To inform the public of CHAP activities.
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To educate the public about the need for accessible primary care in our community.
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To share information on the health care industry.
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To engage the public’s help in strengthening our region’s health care safety net.
CHAP is a nonprofit community health center that provides low-cost and free (for those who qualify) primary medical and dental care to residents of Pasadena and surrounding communities. Our goal is for CHAP to represent the community, caring for those who need our services and enabling those with the knowledge, interest, time and resources to support our efforts. Please check back often. We’re here to serve the greater Pasadena community.
