Project Details
About the Project
One of the many consequences of the primary care shortage is the challenge of taking preventative action on modifiable health risks. Prioritizing preventative care is of paramount importance, not only contribution go cost savings, but also alleviating the strain of a late diagnosis of chronic diseases on individuals, families, and the healthcare system. Cardiologist Dr. Daisy Dulay and Family medicine physician Dr. Tia Pham are well aware that two significant risk factors for stroke, renal, and heart disease are high blood pressure and diabetes. However, health screening for these risk factors is occurring less frequently for unattached patients.
In order to address this gap, the team leads worked with colleagues at the Gorge Urgent and Primary Care Clinic Jason Price, Jennifer Matheson Parkhill, and Estephanie Acebedo. Their first area of focus was a nurse-led framework for cardiovascular screening. To inform this work, they did several nursing engagements to gain insight form the team and build understanding of the vial role nurses can play in preventative care. Feedback from this engagement was overwhelmingly positive. When asked about the highlight, one nurse remarked “very progressive project and helping the community not fall into the cracks of the healthcare crisis!” Another shared, “to be a part of a solution to improve a high need in medical care especially for clients without providers.”
Having successfully implemented this framework, the team is working to adapt it for various screening purposes, including alcohol use disorder (AUD) screening, as well as HIV and Hepatitis screening.