'Mercy Caritas' program provides grants

Several Mercy Health System of Kansas programs, including two at Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott, were recently named recipients of grant funding through the Sisters of Mercy Health System "Mercy Caritas" program.

MHSK programs and services that received funding include the Mercy Courtesy Transportation Service operated at Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott, and Mercy Homecare services in Independence and Fort Scott. "Mercy Caritas" grants are awarded in communities served by Mercy facilities to community-based programs that are consistent with the health system's mission to implement and advocate for innovative health and social services that improve health and quality of life, with particular concern for people who are economically poor, a Mercy statement said.

A total of $53,790 was awarded to Mercy Homecare services in Independence and Fort Scott to support a "Telehealth" program. The program provides advanced technology for in-home clinical care and monitoring of patients who have limited resources and support systems, and patients who are uninsured.

The purpose of the "Telehealth" program is to allow for early intervention when health conditions deteriorate and reduce the necessity for emergency room visits and hospitalizations. "Telehealth" programs also can expand the geographic reach of Mercy's home health services, each of which currently covers about a 50-mile radius.

According to Mercy Homecare Director Rebecca Davied, "Telehealth" services will provide a resource for early detection for people in rural areas with chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, and will also provide a direct link to nurses, physicians, and health care services that may otherwise be unavailable.

"Telehealth services will expand our geographical service area to reach rural remote areas and those individuals who have limited resources, are uninsured, and have limited support systems," a statement from Davied said. "Telehealth services can improve health care by providing clinical care and remote monitoring of patients at their place of residence."

Through the "Telehealth" program, Mercy Homecare staff use monitoring equipment located at the patient's home to remote monitor the patient's vital health information, such as weight and blood pressure. Health information is transmitted electronically to a Web site for access and review by Mercy Homecare nurses at the local facility, Davied said.

"It allows them (patients) to be monitored more frequently and gives us quicker access to information," she said. "It gives people in rural areas quicker access to health care, and allows our nurses a better chance to have a closer knowledge of the patient."

One benefit of early intervention is the reduction of health care cost to the patient and the health care system. Nursing staff have the ability to work closely with physicians to notify them of changes in the patient's clinical condition and initiate a new plan of treatment; all of which is done under the care and supervision of a physician without the expense of an office visit, the Mercy statement said.

The Mercy Courtesy Transportation Service in Fort Scott provides free transportation for area patients to and from medical appointments and covers a geographic radius of about 30 miles. The service is currently transitioning to an operation by local volunteers, but all fuel costs and vehicle maintenance is funded by Mercy. A total of $8,400 in "Mercy Caritas" grant funding was awarded to this program.

The Mercy Hospital Foundation of Independence also received a grant award to support a diagnostic and physician referral program for patients of the Montgomery County Community Clinic. The $23,000 grant will assist patients of the charity clinic in obtaining specialty physician services and diagnostic procedures after initial visits at the clinic where acute conditions are identified. The MCCC is a community clinic serving the uninsured and is sponsored by the Presbyterian Church and collaboratively supported by several area hospitals and health agencies, the Mercy statement said.

A total of 17 "Mercy Caritas" grants totaling $500,000 were awarded throughout the health system's service area. Funding will be available to Mercy program for fiscal year 2010, which begins July 1, 2009.