The Use of Interoperability and the Dirne Center in Idaho
Candace Bridges
BSHS 375
September 28, 2015
The Dirne Health Center partnered with Heritage Health and AmeriCorps offers services to those who are experiencing homelessness in the Kootenai County and surrounding areas. This is done though an integrated HCH/CHC program utilizing case management & and community outreach.
Heritage Health and the Dirne Community Health Center deliver stability of care for underinsured, uninsured, and homeless patients through its site-based clinics. This is done in collaboration with local and area supportive service providers whom also serve the areas homeless populations. This site provides several forms of medical services to those who qualify. The medical services provided are; primary family medical care, routine gynecological care and exams, annual physicals, minor care in orthopedic injuries and cuts, preventative care, immunizations and flu shots, well baby exams, chronic illness management (this covers diabetes, depression, and asthma). The clinic also provides urgent care and low cost, discount prescription coverage. The site also provides dental, including emergency and comprehensive dental care to covered and uninsured patients of all ages. Mental Health Treatment on site includes marriage counseling and individual adult counseling. There is also 24 hour emergency on-call serviced available as well.
Interoperability is not widely known and understood in the human service community. This is the networking of linked organizations for the greater good of clients in specific demographics. An example of this type of organizational interoperability is that of Heritage Heath and the Dirne Center in Coeur d’ Alene Idaho. These two organizations are linked together and with other help organizations in the local area to reach the homeless population in the Kootenai county and surrounding areas. It is though this partnership...