MedStar Georgetown University Hospital - KIDS Mobile Medical Clinic Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Program

What is it?

The KIDS Mobile Medical Clinic Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Program provides a medical home to communities with the greatest need for consistent health care services. Originally housed in a converted RV, the program worked with the Ronald McDonald House Charities to obtain a van in 2004 that has two exam rooms similar to typical physician offices.

The mobile clinic’s providers are MedStar Georgetown University Hospital employees, and each day the clinic is staffed with an attending physician, a nurse, and a resident intern and one administrative staff person. The van rotates among several sites each week: four public housing communities, two public high schools, and a homeless shelter. By following the same weekly schedule, the mobile clinic creates a medical home for patients, allowing them to establish relationships with the providers, make appointments, and take responsibility for their health care. Primary care is the main focus of the clinic, but it also offers mental health, social services, ophthalmology, and health education and advocacy.

Services offered at the clinic are at no cost to the families for all children. When patients are insured, their insurance company is billed; patients without insurance receive care at no charge. When appropriate, clinic staff assists patients in applying for Medicaid and other public assistance programs.

To better coordinate care for patients, the KIDS Mobile Medical Clinic Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Program implemented an electronic medical record. This Internet-based program allows mobile clinic providers to immediately access records for patients across the MedStar system, thus enabling primary care providers to work in direct collaboration and consultation with specialty providers. Since its implementation in 2007, this technology has been an example of how technology and wireless communication using broadband technology can provide children in need with the latest advances in quality care and assurance.

Who is it for?

D.C.-area children 0 to 21 years of age, regardless of income or status.

Why do they do it?

Access to health care is sorely lacking for children and youth in many Washington, D.C., neighborhoods. The mobile clinic was established to bring a medical home to designated health shortage areas, removing some of the barriers to care for children. In 2006, more than 2,200 D.C. children received care from the clinic.

Impact

Since its inception in 2000, the mobile program has provided more than 45,000 patient visits. The program has continued to grow and expand its services beyond just the mobile medical unit to include an expanded division of community pediatrics committed to improving access to health care for traditionally underserved communities identified as greater risk.

Contact: Joanne S. Odom, LICSW
Program Administrator for Community Pediatrics, KIDS Mobile Medical Clinic Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Program
Telephone: 202-444-6812
E-mail: Joanne.s.Odom@gunet.georgetown.edu