The Loma Linda DME Exchange A student-run community service program to provide durable medical equipment to residents of San Bernardino County Dorothy P. Harris, MD, PhD Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Dorothy P. Harris, MD, Ph.D. I developed the Loma Linda Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Exchange as a 4 th year medical student at Loma Linda University in Southern California. I wanted to provide an opportunity for other medical students at my institution to deliver a service that takes them outside of the hospital and into the lives and homes of our neediest residents. Additionally, I wanted to begin the process of bridging the gap between the Allied Health professions and the School of Medicine at Loma Linda University. Through the generous support of the CCSLP award, I have succeeded in developing a sustainable service that I hope will become obsolete in the near future as the City of San Bernardino regains financial stability and rebuilds infrastructure to serve the community. Until then, the Loma Linda DME Exchange will stand in the gap to service the needs of residents with functional disabilities.
Illness in San Bernardino In 2013, the city of San Bernardino filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection. The effects of this filing have extended to non-profit organizations that provide assistance to medically underserved areas. The impact of an unexpected illness or accelerated decline in functional ability can be felt in the community and individually as decreased workforce, diminished social interaction, decreased earnings, and decreased independence.
Serving a Need in the Community The Loma Linda Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Exchange was developed with the goal of addressing an unmet need for medical equipment among the residents of San Bernardino county. Often, patients and children with basic medical coverage receive the insurance support to acquire necessary medical equipment related to their illness. However there exist under insured, uninsured, and undocumented patients with functional disability who are left to fend for themselves.
Project Goals and Outcomes Goal 1: Determine the need for medical equipment in San Bernardino 10-question survey developed 200 surveys (100 English/100 Spanish) distributed to patrons of the Helping Hands Pantry, a non-profit community organization providing free groceries to San Bernardino residents in need
Survey Demographics Area of Residence % Respondents (N=47) San Bernardino County 89% (42) San Bernardino 70% (33) Colton 6% (3) Loma Linda (0) Rialto 2% (1) Fontana 2% (1) Redlands 2% (1) Highland 4% (2) Other: Riverside 2% (1)
Assessment of Need What type of equipment was needed? Have you or a family member experienced an illness that required the use of medical Equipment % Respondents equipment? (N=47)* Wheelchair 24% (11) Illness % Respondents Walker 17% (8) (N=40) Walking cane 13% (6) Surgery 23% (9) Crutches 6% (3) Trauma/Injury 12% (5) Tub transfer bench 4% (2) Hospitalization 15% (6) Toilet seat lift 6% (3) Hospice care 8% (3) Bedside commode 4% (2) Other 10% (4) Shower chair 13% (6) None 32% (13) Hospital bed 11% (5) Other 2% (1) None 55% (26)
DME Exchange Community Partners Goal 2: Develop a foundation of community partners Partner: Burton Clark Director, UReach Ministries & RL Thrift Store Partner: Paul Dickau Partner: To Be Determined Director, Helping Hands Pantry Loma Linda University Department of Physical Therapy Partner: Jerry Daly Assoc. Director, Loma Linda University Global Health Institute Partner: Marti Baum, MD Executive Board Member, Loma Linda University Healthy Neighborhood Projects
Loma Linda DME Exchange Organization Goal 3: Establish the Loma Linda DME Exchange as a sustainable and funded community service program Loma Linda University Healthy Neighborhood Projects LLU Department UReach & of Physical RL Thrift Therapy Helping Global Hands Health Pantry Institute
Thank You National Medical Fellowships California Community Service Learning Program Ja’net Carter, Melissa Brito, and NMF Staff Gina J. Mohr, MD DME Exchange Community Partners
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