I’m often amazed by the stories I hear from the BCHIP Adult Health Clinic staff. They’re saving lives, yet they seem to almost take their successes in stride! They’re so passionate about their work and they are always willing to go the extra mile to make sure our patients receive exemplary care.
I thought I’d share a couple of recent success stories with you.
Linda
Linda* had been coming to BCHIP for care since 2011, when she experienced two strokes, left side paralysis, and lung cancer. In late 2016, Linda contacted BCHIP for help again after she was hospitalized for gall bladder surgery and experienced complications. After a stay at a long-term care facility for rehabilitation, she would be discharged, but due to her paralysis Linda would also need home-based wound care. However, she was not eligible for the service, due to her lack of insurance. BCHIP intervened, contacting the service provider to facilitate care as a charity service. Linda would not have been able manage her home care without BCHIP.
Veronica
Veronica* is a 56-year-old woman who recently moved to Bucks County from Virginia to live with her daughter. She was without health insurance so she visited our clinic. She has interstitial lung disease and was seen at an emergency room for shortness of breath. A week after discharge she ran out of medication and was admitted with acute chronic respiratory failure. She was treated with I.V. steroids and antibiotics to stabilize her condition and was able to be discharged from the hospital.
During her follow-up visit to our clinic, we were able to coordinate specialty care, including a pulmonary follow up with a doctor who agreed to see her at a reduced rate, and a cardiac physician who saw her free of charge. She was put on a bi-weekly schedule to titrate blood pressure and assess her respiratory status. So far there have been no further visits to the hospital. Veronica was later able to obtain insurance and has successfully started the lung transplant process with Temple University Hospital. She recently contacted us to express how extremely grateful she is for our care coordination efforts while she was trying to obtain insurance.
You may have noted that there were other professionals we coordinated with to help these two patients. There are organizations and people throughout Bucks County partnering with BCHIP every day to make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable residents. I hope you’ll check back to learn more about them.
*Names changed to protect patients’ privacy
