Central Health, EMS partner on 'bridge' care model for people experiencing homelessness
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Getting people experiencing homelessness the right medical care can be the difference between those people finding and staying in stable housing or not, according to Central Health, Austin-Travis County’s hospital district serving those most in need.
Starting in September, Central Health partnered with Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS) to give first responders a place to bring patients who may otherwise end up in the emergency room or jail. Most are experiencing homelessness.
“How do we get patients in the right places to receive the right care? So like someone who’s got 5 or 6 chronic conditions who’s run out of all their meds, the emergency room isn’t the best place to address those needs,” said Dr. Tim Mercer, co-director of high-risk populations at Central Health.
The bridge clinic might provide someone access to medications, wound treatment, psychiatric care, or even something as simple as treatment for allergies or flu. Most patients are brought in by ATCEMS, but patients can also walk up or be dropped off at the clinic which is just off I-35 near E 51st Street.
“We’re starting slow, we know there’s this huge unmet need, but we’re trying to be a little bit judicious and strategic about how we go so we can refine our model and make sure we’re doing the right thing,” said Mercer.
Program going mobile
Starting last month, Central Health expanded that model to meet people out in the community. “Bridge Mobile” can reach people in shelters or on the street.
The mobile clinic has already started providing services for women at the city of Austin’s 8th Street shelter, formerly run by the Salvation Army, which is now run by the same group that operates the ARCH downtown.
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Central Health is taking its bridge clinic mobile starting this year (Courtesy: Central Health) -
Central Health is taking its bridge clinic mobile starting this year (Courtesy: Central Health) -
Central Health is taking its bridge clinic mobile starting this year (Courtesy: Central Health) -
Central Health is taking its bridge clinic mobile starting this year (Courtesy: Central Health) -
Central Health is taking its bridge clinic mobile starting this year (Courtesy: Central Health)
“We’ve heard repeatedly that our patients would not have accessed care if we were not there. We have had the privilege of caring for medical needs in a trauma-informed way with wraparound services and also address non-medical drivers of health when we are able to do so,” said Dr. Feba Thomas, clinical lead for Bridge and the primary provider working with patients at Eighth Street.
That same group will also start treating patients transitioning into supportive housing and with Travis County’s mental health diversion center pilot program.
“We’ll be starting providing services next week actually at Integral Care’s diversion center pilot program. We’re developing other partnerships with Foundation Communities, Hungry Hill Foundation, Texas Harm Reduction Alliance,” Mercer said.
