A Nurse-Managed Clinic in our Neighborhood
Photo by: Ricardo Cervantes

California State University-San Bernardino, Loma Linda University and Central City Lutheran Mission are embarking on an important and exciting program to increase the quality of health care in one of California 's poorest urban communities. Central City Lutheran Mission began its work in 1996 and has begun a $2.5 million construction project that will include a nurse-managed clinic, recreational center, educational facility and residency for interns doing block placements in the fields of social work, community health, nursing, public health and theology. The H Street Clinic was dedicated in April, 2004.

Initial focus groups, neighborhood surveys and experience with mobile clinics have identified some immediate and serious health care issues for an English speaking and Spanish speaking population. With the moving of the county health care facility now located in Rialto , an impoverished community with no access to transportation has been left with few resources for health care and no resources for health care education, screenings and supervised follow-ups to clinical visits. The emergency rooms of the two local hospitals has increased by more than 25% since the moving of the health care facility, impacting the quality and cost of care given. The indigent population in this economically depressed neighborhood is virtually without emergency services. The hardest hit are children, pregnant mothers and teenagers.

Central City Lutheran Mission is a unique neighborhood development project that has gained the trust and confidence of neighborhood residents. Working with both a Latin and African American population, gang members and local residents have learned that the Mission is their resource and exists for them. Employment, educational programs during non-traditional hours, food pantry and feeding programs, adolescent health care, and housing for persons with HIV have made the Mission a friend of thousands of persons in its catchments area.

Health care at this 6,136 square foot health care facility will be provided by advanced practice nurses in collaboration with local physicians. Nurse practitioners and registered nurses will be available to assess and diagnose health problems, furnish medications, make home visits, provide counseling, conduct educational seminars and one-on-one information about medications and medical adherence, among other services.

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