Saint Joseph's Health System - Mercy Care Services

Overview

Saint Joseph’s Mercy Care Services, a subsidiary of Saint Joseph’s Health System, is one of Atlanta’s oldest and largest community outreach programs, serving the homeless, uninsured, underinsured and immigrant populations by “taking health care where it is needed most.” Mercy Care Services provides a system of primary health care, dental care, education, and social services reaching thousands of persons in need throughout Atlanta. Service is provided at four permanent clinics; within the facilities of some of its community partners; and onboard its two mobile health coaches. Mercy Care Services was initiated in 1985 by volunteer nurses and physicians of Saint Joseph’s Hospital. Today, more than 125 volunteers continue to play an important role in providing services to Atlanta’s needy. In 2010, volunteers contributed more than 5,900 hours supplementing full-time staff, helping clients with eligibility forms, and assisting at health fairs; and physician volunteers conducted numerous pro bono medical assessments and/or procedures.

Impact

Saint Joseph’s Mercy Care Services provides a medical home and safety net for thousands of Atlanta’s citizens, providing not only primary health care and dental care, but also recuperative care, mental health assessment, case management, health education, and supportive and referral services. In 2010, the organization served more than 11,000 patients in its medical and dental programs, and experienced more than 27,000 visits. Sixty-nine percent of Mercy Care's clients are at or below federal poverty guidelines; 96 percent are uninsured; and 63 percent are homeless. Between 2004 and 2008, Mercy Care Services experienced a 19 percent growth in the number of patients.

Challenges/success factors

Due to multiple service locations and the transient nature of the client base, managing a client’s health information has been difficult, as Mercy Care doesn’t know when or where a patient will show up. However, in 2009, Mercy Care implemented an electronic medical record system that is accessible by providers at each of its medical/dental sites (including wireless applications in the mobile clinics). This enables Mercy Care to provide its clients with more efficient continuity of care. Mercy Care also implemented a computerized outcomes-based data system that enables case managers and outreach workers to track what other services are being provided to its clients.

Future direction/sustainability

Funding for Mercy Care comes from a variety of public and private sources. Federal, state, and city grants fund health care programs for persons who are homeless or living with HIV/AIDS and for HIV outreach services. Other sources of revenue come from corporations, foundations, individuals, Saint Joseph’s Health System and Saint Joseph’s Mercy Foundation and its volunteer fund-raising organization, WINGS.

Advice to others

For anyone considering initiating programs for the homeless, a wonderful resource for developing medical and health care-related programs is the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. Visit their website at www.nhchc.org.

Contact: Tom Andrews
President, Mercy Care Services
Telephone: 678-843-8502
E-mail: tandrews@mercyatlanta.org