Access & Referral Program
Originally supported by a grant from United Way in 2007, the goal of the Access and Referral program is to build a stronger network between clinics to increase access to care, to support patient referrals between clinics, and to support referrals to resources outside the clinic’s own scope of services. As the needs of the clinics change so too does the way in which this program reaches its goal.
2008 Projects for Access and Referral
Continuing the work begun in 2007, the Access & Referral Program just keeps growing!
1. Project Access Multnomah County
Eligible patients in need of a medical sub-specialist can enroll in Project Access to obtain donated specialty care, labs, imaging, pharmacy benefits and hospital services. This program depends on the altruism of the Portland Medical Community and the volunteers who donate care. Learn More
2. Clackamas Primary Care Project
Funded by a grant from Providence, this is a partnership between Outside In, Rosewood Family Health Center, and the Coalition of Community Health Clinics. Outside In is providing outreach medical services in Clackamas County, and making primary care home referrals to eligible Clackamas residents. These referrals, managed by the Coalition, are assigned to Outside In and Rosewood Family Health Center.
3. Dental Access Project
Funded by a grant from Kaiser Permanente, the coalition coordinates urgent dental care referrals for Coalition Clinic patients.
4. Primary Care Referrals for Project Access Patients
COMING SOON! Clinics unable to provide the scope of care needed by chronically ill patients, or other types of care, may refer their patient into one of many Primary Care Medical Homes. This program is made possible by the generous donations of our Coalition Federally Qualified Health Centers, and our long time partner Multnomah County Health Department.
Award Winning
Spirit of the Columbia-Willamette Award
2007 Community Partner of the Year
United Way recognized the Coalition for this work in November 2007.
Regence Foundation
Transformation Grant
In March 2008, the newly launched Regence Foundation recognized the Coalition of Community Health Clinics for its innovative work facilitating cooperation among 13 member clinics providing care to uninsured residents in the Portland metropolitan area.
2007 Access and Referral Projects
2007 marked the beginning of our Access and Referral strategies. We are proud of the achievements and will work to continue to improve access and referral in the coming years.
Development of a new Coalition Website and a Members-Only Website
Accurate Up-To-Date Clinic Information Available
Patient Find A Clinic Search Feature
Clinic Networking & Peer Group Email Listservs
On-Site Specialty Clinics opened to all Coalition Patients
Original Access & Referral Goals
The Coalition developed a variety of strategies in 2007 which continue to support clinics today.
- Creating Streamlined Communication Networks Between Clinics and Clinic Peer Groups (Listserv)
- Coordinating Best Referral Strategies
- Ensuring Efficient Utilization of Clinic Resources
- Providing an Access & Referral Website Search Feature Find A Clinic
- Clinics refer patients outside of their scope of service to another appropriate CCHC Clinic and find shared specialty clinic referrals for their own patients
- Patients find the right clinic to access the care they need
- Community Patient Advocates may find a clinic for their clients. As members, they can access details not available to the public such as staff names and phone numbers to more quickly facilitate a patient referral.
- Reducing Duplication of Services
- Supporting Live-Time Reporting of Clinic Flow
- Offering Increased Technical Assistance
- A Clinic Members-Only website
- Clinic Details for Access and Referral
- Commonly Used Information Resources
- Digital Resource Referral Manual
- Shared Best Practices and Resources
- Sharing Clinic Access live-time via centralized clinic pages and listserv updates.
Many thanks to United Way of the Columbia-Willamette for their support of this project.