AHA issues next guide in series on ensuring access in vulnerable communities

The AHA today released a guide to help hospital and health system board members and leaders implement an urgent care center strategy to maintain an access point for urgent medical conditions that can be treated on an outpatient basis, without having to maintain emergency medical services or inpatient acute care services. In addition, the AHA also released a discussion tool that outlines questions for hospitals and health systems to determine whether the UCC is the right strategy for their community. The UCC strategy is one of nine innovative strategies identified last year by the AHA’s Task Force on Ensuring Access in Vulnerable Communities for communities to consider based on their unique needs, support structures and preferences. Today’s guide is the fourth in a series that will address each of the nine strategies. For more on the initiative and to access the report and associated resources, visit www.aha.org/EnsuringAccess.