In celebration of National Health Center Week, we’re spotlighting Compass Health Network, a significant force in Missouri's healthcare landscape, and their transformative use of GALE eClinics. With a vast variety network of over 100 locations across the state, Compass Health Network exemplifies how telehealth technology can revolutionize patient care and extend vital services to underserved communities.
A Broad Reach and Diverse Services
Compass Health Network stands out as Missouri’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), rapidly becoming a key player nationwide. The network encompasses a variety of facilities, including primary care, behavioral health, dental services, pediatric care, and residential treatment centers for psychiatric and substance use disorders. This extensive range of services addresses a critical need for comprehensive healthcare in both urban and rural areas.
Innovative Use of GALE eClinics
The GALE eClinics have become a cornerstone of Compass Health Network’s strategy to enhance healthcare delivery. The GALE units are employed across multiple settings, demonstrating their versatility and effectiveness:
Troy Lambert, MHA, BSN, and Vice President of Primary Care Operations, Compass Health Network, commented on how the network continuously finds new ways to integrate the eClinics into their centers:
"Once you get that first use done, you realize you can use it in other ways. It just generates more opportunities. We’ll have a new situation to figure out and say, 'Well, we can't put a provider in that location, but can GALE do this?'"
Behavioral Health and Substance Use Treatment: At Compass Health Network's psychiatric and substance use disorder residential facilities, GALE eClinics are used for conducting health assessments, physical exams, and psychiatry visits. This integration ensures that patients receive comprehensive care despite the challenges of remote locations and limited resources.
Some of the Compass Health Network centers that utilize GALE eClinics to enhance healthcare delivery
Primary Care and Pediatrics: For primary care and pediatric services, especially in rural areas where medical providers are scarce, GALE eClinics bridges the gap by allowing remote consultations and evaluations. This technology ensures continuity of care even when a primary care provider is unavailable due to maternity leave or other reasons.
Enhanced Telehealth Capabilities: The GALE units have significantly improved the network's telehealth capabilities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to perform remote physical exams, including listening to heart and lung sounds, became crucial. The GALE eClinics facilitated these capabilities, addressing the limitations of traditional telehealth solutions.
"GALE allows us not to miss much. The biggest thing people worry about is, ‘What if I missed this, or what if I missed that?’ But you can still hear the heart and lungs […] so it is much more robust." – Troy Lambert.
Addressing Challenges and Improving Access
Compass Health Network’s use of GALE eClinics exemplifies their approach to overcoming healthcare challenges and fostering strong community connections:
Access to Care: Compass Health Network ensures that even the most remote or underserved patients can access quality care by deploying GALE units across various facilities. This is particularly important in rural regions where healthcare providers are limited.
"We're able to deliver care when we wouldn't be able to otherwise, especially for smaller FQHCs that are limited on providers." – Troy Lambert.
Continuity of Care: GALE eClinics help maintain continuity of care when in-person visits are not feasible. This is crucial for managing chronic conditions and providing consistent follow-up care.
"GALE significantly assists in assessing, starting, and keeping patients on their treatment plans for Hep-C,” Troy adds. “This is particularly noteworthy given that approximately 40% of Hep-C patients are treated through GALE.”
Optimizing Resources: GALE eClinics enables the network to offer comprehensive services without additional physical infrastructure or personnel, optimizing resource use and reducing operational costs.
As Troy Lambert commented, "It's a true force multiplier—it enhances our capabilities without requiring us to be physically present, making our care more comprehensive."
Celebrating and Supporting Health Centers
We celebrate the dedication of health centers nationwide to improving healthcare access and quality through cutting-edge technology, not just during National Health Center Week but year-round. Their efforts are a testament to the power of innovation in transforming patient care and addressing healthcare disparities.
Comentarios