Street Medicine

Tower Health Medical Groups’ Street Medicine Program offers primary and preventative care to the unsheltered homeless, shelter residents, and anyone who is at high risk of experiencing homelessness.

The Street Medicine Program strives to:

• Deliver equitable and patient-centered primary and acute healthcare services to individuals experiencing homeless;

• Increase accessibility and continuity of care by connecting patients to healthcare services through telehealth;

• Provide patient case management services and inpatient consultations;

• Educate patients on available community services and resources.

STREET MEDICINE PROGRAM PARTNERS

• City Light Ministry

• Hope Rescue Mission

• New Journey Community Outreach

• YMCA of Reading-Berks County

The Street Medicine team will also visit other locations such as encampments, parks, under bridges, along the Schuylkill River, in the mountains, and anywhere else in the county where people in need of help and/or medical care may be located.

SERVICES PROVIDED

The Street Medicine team provides primary and preventative care to patients. On a periodic basis, diabetes management, podiatry, addiction medicine, and psychiatry specialists visit Street Medicine clinics. The program also conducts a number of specialty clinics on a recurring basis.

SPECIALTY CLINICS

Telehealth Kiosk

The telehealth kiosk at Hope Rescue Mission allows a healthcare provider to meet virtually with patients who have an immediate need or require a follow-up from a prior visit. The kiosk also offers external medical devices including:

• Blood pressure monitor

• Thermometer

• Stethoscope

• Otoscope

Eye Screening Clinic

The Eye Screening Clinic provides a screening eye exam for patients, as well as facilitates access to follow-up care. The screening exam includes:

• Color blindness screening

• Field of vision screening

• Glaucoma screening

• Visualization of the retinas

• Visual acuity changes

Pulmonary Screening Clinic

The Pulmonary Screening Clinic provides for the evaluation and education of patients with breathing disorders, including:

• Screening for sleep apnea;

• Evaluation for low-dose CT lung cancer screening;

• Tobacco cessation education;

• Respiratory disease management (COPD, Asthma, OSA) education;

• Review of respiratory medications such as inhalers and nebulizers.

NEUROLOGY SUB-CLINIC

The neurology sub-clinic will provide a comprehensive neurologic examination and screening when necessary, thereby serving as a bridge to formal neurologic evaluation when needed.  The sub-clinic may include evaluations for the following clinical issues:

• Low back pain with or without radiculopathy

• Neuropathy

• Chronic headaches

• Review of seizure treatment and medications

• Screenings for cognitive or mood changes

• Peripheral nerve disorders

• Stroke follow-up with review of treatment guidelines

What we’ve achieved…

Street Medicine Encounters: Any encounter between a patient and Street Medicine team member (in person, by phone, and via the Telehealth Kiosk)

Street Medicine Visits: Any patient seen by a Street Medicine provider

*Data verified by Epic

STREET MEDICINE SCHEDULE

Street Medicine TELEMEDICINE Kiosk Schedule

Who We Are

An Innovative Approach to Care

At the conclusion of the 2016 Berks County Community Health Needs Assessment, one of the key priority areas identified was access to care. One population within our community that struggles the most with accessing quality healthcare are those who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless.

Our Street Medicine Program has 4 basic components:

1. Deliver equitable and patient-centered primary and acute healthcare services to homeless individuals;

2. Increase accessibility and continuity of care by connecting patients to healthcare services through telehealth;

3. Provide patient case management services and inpatient consultations;

4. Educate patients on available community services and resources.

For more information about the Street Medicine Program, please email StreetMedicine@towerhealth.org.