Recognizing the connection between health and education, Re-1 District officials incorporated a school-based health clinic into the new campus. It is the 55th such clinic in Colorado.
The modern clinic is staffed and managed by Southwest Medical Group, an affiliate of Southwest Memorial Hospital.
Family nurse practitioner Joanna Dominick will run the clinic with a behavioral therapist yet to be hired. Dental services will also be available in partnership with the Montezuma County Health Department.
The school-based health clinic is adjacent to the regular school nurse office, Re-1 school nurse Sue Ciccia said during a recent tour.
“The school nurse can address the minor issues, and if they need more comprehensive medical services, they will be referred to the health clinic down the hall,” she said. “It’s a partnership between the school, the hospital, the county health department and the Piñon Project.”
Parents must register their children for them access to the clinic. All Re-1 students and their siblings, ages 3 to 21, are eligible for the new health-care services at the school. Re-1 staff can also be served by the clinic.
Insurance information must be provided, and services will be applied to the patient’s policy and deductibles. However, insurance is not required for a student’s medical needs to be addressed if they have been registered by a parent or guardian, Ciccia said.
“One of the capabilities of the clinic is partnering with the Piñon Project to get low-income patients enrolled in Medicaid, Child Health Plan, or subsidized insurance through the Affordable Care Act,” Ciccia said. “Students without insurance can learn their options, are more likely to get preventative care, and will have a better understanding about how to access the health-care system throughout their life.”
The clinic’s medical services are more convenient for students and also for parents who do not have to leave work to take their child to the doctor.
School-based health clinics have been shown to reduce absenteeism, reduce use of the hospital emergency room for non-emergency care, and improve student health and access to health education.
Patient privacy and medical records are protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and also by Family Educational Records Privacy Act standards. Patient care will be linked to primary-care physicians.
Ken Boucher is the practice administrator for Southwest Health Group, and oversees the school-based health clinic at the high school.
He explained the Re-1 clinic offers the same family medical services as other Southwest Memorial clinics, but with a focus on adolescent health. No taxpayer or education funds will be used to fund the clinic.
The plan is for the clinic to self-sustaining, Boucher said, with reimbursement from insurance and grants covering operation and staff costs. However, cost overruns will be absorbed by the hospital.
Staffing a nurse family practitioner and a behavioral therapist with more direct access to students is really important, Boucher said.
“We’ll be providing counseling services to help students overcome mental health issues so they can be successful in school,” he said. “Statistics show that students are more likely to seek help at a school-based health clinic because that relationship and trust has been developed.”
The clinic is qualified for immunizations, sports physicals, acute illnesses, mental health, chronic care management and injuries. The nurse practitioner can diagnose and treat medical conditions, prescribe and administer medication and make referrals for additional care.
Advanced lab equipment will be installed to analyze blood and urine tests for infections, venereal diseases and blood-sugar levels.
According to a 2014 student survey, M-CHS students reported suffering most from headaches, fatigue, stomach aches and allergies. For behavioral problems, stress, anxiety and depression topped the list.
“To have adolescent well-child visits in the school is good preventative medicine to make sure there are no issues, and if there are, then they can be dealt with right there,” Boucher said.
The clinic will be open Monday through Friday during regular school hours. There will be a series of open houses and presentations for students.