HealthPort, a leading health information management and technology company, will recognize community health centers (CHCs) across the country during National Health Center Week, August 10-16, 2008 (see also HealthPort).
As a proud sponsor for the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), HealthPort is dedicated to helping community health centers bring light to the neglected health needs of communities across the nation. Currently, the company supports four healthcare centers: Golden Valley Health Center, Coastal Family Health Center, Racine Community Health Center and Clinica Sierra Vista, providing monetary donations, giveaways, and event sponsorships.
Golden Valley Health Center in California will be celebrating two ribbon-cutting events for the grand opening of their new Eye Mobile van on August 14, 2008 and have found HealthPort's electronic medical record system instrumental in managing their patient files electronically.
Coastal Family Health Center in Mississippi has built new clinics since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and will be holding several open house events this month, offering local communities a chance to tour Coastal's new facilities. Through significant grants provided by HealthPort to the hurricane ravaged health center, Coastal was able to implement HealthPort's practice management system and electronic medical record system at all seven of their facilities, equipping them with an efficient means to electronically manage the business of providing healthcare.
Racine Community Health Center in Wisconsin will feature a VIP open house on August 11, 2008 in which local congressmen, state representatives, and other local CHC executives will attend.
Clinica Sierra Vista in California will hold a press conference on August 12, 2008 as well as provide free medical treatment and diagnostic services. The event is open to the public and will be attended by a local congressman. A second event, on August 14, 2008, will offer a festive opportunity for the community to receive information about Clinica Sierra Vista's services and programs, in addition to providing family-oriented interactive activities and games. Sierra Vista relies on HealthPort's practice management technology to streamline their front and back office functions.
National Health Center Week will be observed August 10-16, 2008. This week is dedicated to recognizing the services and contributions of community, migrant, homeless, and public housing health centers in providing access to affordable, high quality, cost-effective healthcare to medically vulnerable people and underserved areas within the United States.
Approximately $18 billion is wasted each year on avoidable visits to emergency rooms that could have been redirected to health centers. American health centers serve over 17 million people in over 6,000 communities. Health centers save the U. S. healthcare system over $17 billion annually by providing affordable, preventative healthcare to low income, uninsured people who may rely on hospital emergency rooms as a source of care. Health centers also generate $12.6 billion in economic benefits for low income, rural, and inner city communities and create 143,000 jobs in America's most economically challenged neighborhoods.
About NACHC and National Health Center Week
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) is the only national organization dedicated exclusively to expanding healthcare access for America's medically underserved through the community-based health center model. 'America's Health Centers: Home of America's Health Care Heroes' is the theme for National Health Center Week 2008. It recognizes the vital role of health center providers in achieving the success of the health center mission. From primary care physicians, to behavioral health specialists, to nurses and pharmacists, nearly 40,000 healthcare professionals serve on the front lines each day in health centers. For more information about National Health Center Week, visit www.healthcenterweek.org.
Keywords: Community Health, Diagnostics, HealthPort.
This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.
