RHC: Mercy Health System

Contact: Sister Donna Watto
Telephone: (610) 237-4885

In October 1996, Mercy Health System launched the MercyCARE Mobile Health Program in the City of Philadelphia in an effort to provide care to those who fall through the cracks. In partnership with SmithKline Beecham and the City of Philadelphia, MercyCARE provides primary health services to hundreds of men, women and children in North, West and Southwest Philadelphia.

Expansion of the program in early 1997 found MercyCARE Mobile Health Vans in areas of Montgomery and Delaware Counties where accessible healthcare and lack of insurance continue to be great barriers to people seeking the most basic primary care services. Through the Montco-Mercy Partnership the program in Montgomery County has grown. With the assistance of students from Gwynedd-Mercy College and community partners, MercyCARE has expanded its outreach in Montgomery County and served many people who might otherwise have not sought healthcare services.

In August 1998, the MercyCARE Mobile Health Program again expanded its health outreach efforts by adding a third van to the program and offering care in Chester, Delaware County. Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, the third MercyCARE Mobile Health van travels to different locations throughout Chester to ensure accessibility of care. In partnership with officials from the City of Chester, local clergy, and many who are committed to improving the quality of life for the people of Chester, the mobile unit is providing care at five public housing projects. The MercyCARE program anticipates serving 2,000 individuals per year in the City of Chester.

The MercyCARE Mobile Health Program provides a wide array of services which include: pediatric and adult primary care, nutrition assessment, immunization, cancer screenings, laboratory tests and screenings for tuberculosis, hypertension, cholesterol, hearing, cancer, vision and lead poisoning. HIV/STD testing and counseling, and women’s health services, including prenatal assessment are also offered. Health education consisting of multilingual materials, videotapes and hands-on models focus on the importance of breast self examination, annual mammograms vaginal examinations and prenatal care for women and the early detection and treatment of testicular and prostatic cancer for men.

The Program utilizes a nursing model to deliver primary care services. Clinical nurse specialists and family nurse practitioners form the nursing component of the MercyCARE team. These services are complemented by the services of a social worker. The team consists of multilingual, multicultural healthcare professionals who work together with communities to bring comprehensive healthcare services into the neighborhoods. Nurse practitioners have been credentialed within the Mercy Health System. Medial oversight is provided by Mercy physicians who have worked with the MercyCARE health team to develop standards of care and practice guidelines.

The MercyCARE Mobile Health Program vehicles (34-foot mobile health vans) are equipped with point-of-care laboratory testing devices. On-board computer information systems allow for the storage of demographic and patient clinical data and facilitate demographic data retrieval, trending prognostications and hard copy documentation.

Healthcare services offered by the MercyCARE Mobile Health Program are free of charge to the client. Operations are funded through partnerships with organizations such as SmithKline Beecham and World Impact. Additional funding comes from Mercy Health System, the State of Pennsylvania and an anonymous donor.

The MercyCARE Mobile Health Program has recorded a total of 3,491 service encounters through its operations in Montgomery County, a total of 11,211 service encounters in Philadelphia County and 2,000 service encounters in the City of Chester.

Through extensive community outreach and interaction, the program staff will continue to increase the number of service encounters. Additional objectives include facilitating the initiation of healthcare coverage for all eligible uninsured children and adults who visit the program; increasing childhood immunizations in the City of Chester; significantly reducing the frequency of symptoms or medical events in clients with chronic and acute conditions through management of these conditions; provide spiritual guidance for all clients visiting the mobile unit.