Christus Mother Frances Hospital - Sulphur Springs

THE HOSPITAL'S OPERATING PLAN INCORPORATES PROVISIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT POSSESS THE ABILITY TO PURCHASE ESSENTIAL MEDICAL SERVICES TO RECEIVE SERVICES AT THE SAME LEVEL AS ANY OTHER PATIENTS WITHOUT REGARD TO THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY EXTENDS TO FREE OR SUBSIDIZED INDIVIDUAL CARE, SUBSIDIZED EDUCATION OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, DISCOUNTED FEES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATIONS AND TO OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCIES. SPECIFIC COMMUNITY SERVICES AND PROGRAMS INCLUDE: WELLNESS AND PREVENTION EDUCATION PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY DIAGNOSTIC SCREENING PROGRAMS, SENIOR CITIZEN HEALTH AWARENESS PROGRAMS, AWARENESS OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS AND PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS AT RISK AND AWARENESS PROGRAMS FOR PERSONS WITH SPECIAL PHYSICAL OR MENTAL NEEDS, AS WELL AS FOOD INSECURITY. INDIVIDUALS SERVED AMOUNT TO 25,828 VISITS TO OUR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS, 475 INPATIENT SURGERY PROCEDURES, 1,974 OUTPATIENT SURGERY PROCEDURES, 3,531 PATIENTS WHO WERE ADMITTED TO OUR HOSPITALS FOR CARE, AND 68,978 PATIENTS WHO RECEIVED OUTPATIENT CARE. CHRISTUS HOPKINS HEALTH ALLIANCE SERVES AS A TRAINING SITE FOR STUDENTS PURSING DEGREES IN NURSING, ALLIED HEALTH, AND EMS. CHHA ASSOCIATES SERVE AS FORMAL PRECEPTORS FOR THESE STUDENT WHILE ON SITE. ASSOCIATE PRECEPTORS INCLUDE REGISTERED NURSES, ADVANCE PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES, RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS AND PHYSICIANS. The CHRISTUS HOPKINS HEALTH ALLIANCE SPORTS MEDICINE PROGRAM HAS A SOLID MISSION THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY IN A VARIETY OF WAYS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES HEALTH CARE ACCESS TO MANY STUDENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER NOR THE MEANS TO BE SEEN BY A PROVIDER. WHAT BEGAN AS A WAY TO HELP STUDENTS HEAL FULLY BEFORE ENTERING THE SCHOOL SPORTS PROGRAMS TOO EARLY HAS GROWN TO A SERVICE TO HELP STUDENTS STAY HEALTHY. FREE SATURDAY MORNING SPORTS INJURY CLINICS AND FREE PREPARTICIPATION SCREENINGS, ARE OFFERED TO ANY PLAYER REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. NOW, ALL X-RAYS, CT SCANS, AND MRIS ARE DONE WITHOUT CHARGE. ALSO, THE PROGRAM HELPS TO: -PREVENT INJURIES AND QUICKLY EVALUATE AND DIAGNOSE INJURIES -DIRECT RAPID REFERRAL TO SPECIALIST PHYSICIANS -REHABILITATION AND FASTER RETURN TO NORMAL LIFE. IT IS THE STUDENT'S FAMILY DECISION WHERE THEY GO FOR CLINICAL CARE BUT INFORMATION ABOUT THE INJURIES IS SHARED WITH ALL PROVIDERS ON EPIC. IF IT IS DETERMINED THE STUDENT NEEDS FOLLOW-UP CARE, A SURGERY, OR ADDITIONAL VISITS, THE ONLY PAYMENT IS WHAT THE SCHOOL INSURANCE COVERS WHICH IS A ONE-TIME PAYMENT OF LESS THAN $2,500 TOTAL. SO, THIS PROGRAM IS SUBSIDIZED HEAVILY BY THE HEALTH SYSTEM. THIS PAST YEAR IN THE MOTHER FRANCES REGIONAL HEALTH CARE REGIONAL ALONE, OVER 2,300 PRE-PARTICIPATION PHYSICALS WERE DONE FREE OF CHARGE TO STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE AREA. OF THOSE, 415 WERE REFERRED TO A PRIMARY CARE OR PEDIATRICIAN FOR A FULL PHYSICAL WITH EMPHASIS ON POTENTIAL HEART ISSUES PRIOR TO THEIR BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY SPORTS PROGRAMS. THESE SAME ATHLETIC TRAINERS REGULARLY ADDRESS HEALTH EATING AND DIABETES ISSUES FOR THESE STUDENTS.