DME Exchange A student-run community service program to provide - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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 4th year medical student at Loma Linda University in Southern California. I wanted to provide an

• pportunity 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.

 The Loma Linda Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

Exchange was developed with the goal of addressing an unmet need for medical equipment among the residents

• f 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.

Serving a Need in the Community

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

Have you or a family member experienced an illness that required the use of medical equipment? What type of equipment was needed? Illness % Respondents (N=40) Surgery 23% (9) Trauma/Injury 12% (5) Hospitalization 15% (6) Hospice care 8% (3) Other 10% (4) None 32% (13) Equipment % Respondents (N=47)* Wheelchair 24% (11) Walker 17% (8) Walking cane 13% (6) Crutches 6% (3) Tub transfer bench 4% (2) Toilet seat lift 6% (3) Bedside commode 4% (2) Shower chair 13% (6) 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 Director, Helping Hands Pantry Partner: Jerry Daly

• Assoc. Director, Loma Linda

University Global Health Institute Partner: Marti Baum, MD Executive Board Member, Loma Linda University Healthy Neighborhood Projects Partner: To Be Determined Loma Linda University Department of Physical Therapy

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

• f Physical

Therapy UReach & RL Thrift Helping Hands Pantry Global Health 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