Health Signs - Summer 2010 - (Page 6)

hits the road This Summer explains Ruth Traylor, Washington Hospital’s community outreach director. “We are here to help educate and screen as many people as possible because there’s an estimated 100,000 people in Alameda County who have diabetes and about one-third of them don’t know they have it.” Diabetes Prevention The Washington On Wheels (W.O.W.) Mobile Health Clinic is staffed by Sherrie Kneebone (left), a nurse practitioner and Connie Corral, W.O.W.’s medical assistant. Washington On Wheels Mobile Health Clinic makes receiving preventive care easy Over the next few months this summer, Washington Hospital Healthcare System’s mobile health clinic, Washington On Wheels (W.O.W.), will make it easy for local residents to get screened for diabetes—for free. Traveling throughout the Tri-City area, the W.O.W. Mobile Health Clinic sees an average of 4,000 patients a year. W.O.W. began providing free diabetes screenings in 2005 and demand for services has continued to grow steadily each year. “One of the most important goals of W.O.W. is to improve the overall health of people in our region by increasing and expanding the access of preventive health services, such as screenings,” Not Knowing Can Hurt Undiagnosed, diabetes can be especially dangerous because the afflicted person isn’t taking steps to manage the condition. This can lead to serious physical consequences affecting many parts of the body, including the eyes, kidneys, heart and limbs. People with diabetes face a dramatically higher risk of heart disease, stroke, nerve disease and dental disease. “The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that we screen people who are overweight and may have other health conditions that may put them at risk,” says Sherrie Kneebone, N.P., and the W.O.W. van’s nurse practitioner. “After someone is found to have diabetes, the need for education is critical and this is something the W.O.W. staff along with the Washington Outpatient Diabetes Center can provide.” According to a study performed by the Alameda County Public Health Department for Washington Hospital and other hospitals of the Hospital Council of Northern and Central California, Union City had the highest rate of hospitalizations for diabetesrelated illnesses in Alameda County and the city of Newark was No. 3 on the list. • Diabetes Screening Takes Just a Few Minutes The free diabetes (blood glucose) screening tests are taken with a finger-pricking device that is used to get a drop of blood. The screening takes just a few seconds and the W.O.W. staff explains each person’s results within a few minutes. To achieve more accurate results, the W.O.W. staff recommends that participants don’t eat or drink anything for 12 hours before testing; however, this is not mandatory. “If we test someone who is found to have diabetes, W.O.W. can provide the counseling and referrals for additional care,” adds Traylor. “If a patient doesn’t have a primary care physician, W.O.W. staff can work with them to set up care.” The Washington On Wheels Mobile Health Clinic provides a host of other services, including: • Physical exams Health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels for diabetes Immunizations and flu shots Nutritional counseling and health education Occupational medicine • • Get Screened! Free diabetes screenings will be conducted at W.O.W.’s regularly scheduled stops: • • • Fremont Senior Center (40086 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont) July 2 and Aug. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Family Resource Center (39155 Liberty St., Fremont) July 12 and Aug. 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Silliman Activity Center (6800 Mowry Ave., Newark) July 8 and Aug. 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Ruggieri Senior Center (33997 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City) July 26 and Aug. 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. W.O.W will also conduct free diabetes screenings at the Central Park Summer Concert Series in Fremont. • The Washington On Wheels Mobile Health Clinic accepts Medicare and Medi-Cal and some insurance plans and will provide services regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. • Find out more about Washington on Wheels To learn more about the services offered by the Washington On Wheels Mobile Health Clinic, call 510-608-3203 or visit whhs.com, click “For Our Community,” and select “W.O.W. Mobile Health Clinic.” If your company is interested in using the W.O.W. Mobile Health Clinic for occupational medicine services for your employees, please call 510-608-1320. • • 6 SUMMER 2010 http://www.whhs.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Health Signs - Summer 2010

Health Signs - Summer 2010
FREE Concert Series
Double Hip Replacement Patient Now Dances the Night Away
Are You Properly Prepared for a Disaster?
Comprehensive Diabetes Education Gets a New Home

Health Signs - Summer 2010