Priority Area |
Collaborating Hospitals |
Collaborating Counties |
Specific Focus Area |
Strategies and/or Interventions |
Partners |
Access to Quality Health Care |
- Bassett Hospital
- A.O. Fox Hospital
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- Dental health
- General access to care
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- Increase collaboration and interaction among agencies and organizations in Otsego County so everyone knows what services and programs are available to make necessary healthcare and prevention referrals.
- Plan for agencies to work together in times of crisis, with the LHD as the information center or a clearinghouse with a 800 number that residents could dial to obtain health information.
- Open more school-based clinics.
- Extend healthcare and dental clinic hours.
- Arrange for caregivers to make home visits.
- Offer vehicles to use for healthcare purposes, similar to the 'Wheels to Work' cars available through agencies like Opportunities for Otsego (OFO), and provide funding for repairs.
- Match bus schedules with work schedules and hospital schedules.
- Review socioeconomic status eligibility guidelines in the current economic climate.
- Provide combined services that are offered at health fairs in central locations.
- Distribute The Parent Handbook that is considered a key community resource.
- Continue dental health education through Rural Health Education Network of Delaware, Otsego, Montgomery and Schoharie Counties (RHENDOMS), which reaches out to parents.
- Expand the network by making schools aware that this fully funded program exists.
- Continue the school-based health center sealant program and educate parents about sealant and dental health.
- Reactivate the Otsego County Oral Health Coalition.
- Educate dental providers about Medicaid reimbursements in the county and give instruction about how to navigate the Medicaid system.
- Educate health care providers about what dental services are available on a referral basis.
- Educate the public about dental health and insurance options for dental health.
- Increase the public’s awareness of dental health services in the area.
- Utilize ongoing health fairs and various media outlets to disseminate educational materials about dental health to the public.
- Investigate loan forgiveness as a way to locate new dental health providers to area.
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Mental Health/Substance Abuse |
- Bassett Hospital
- A.O. Fox Hospital
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- Involve primary care providers in mental health care.
- Conduct a public health campaign about the risk factors associated with binge drinking. Include information about prescription drugs.
- Provide a CME training for primary care physicians, surgeons, and mid-level practitioners about brief screenings and a referral process for substance abuse, mainly for alcohol, but the screening can be adapted for other substances such as prescription drugs. Invite area physicians and mid-level practitioners who practice outside of Fox and Bassett hospitals.
- Provide a list of resources and referral agencies to healthcare providers, including a list of user-friendly online links to The Parent Handybook, LEAF, OFO, CDC, the Otsego County Health Department, and other relevant sites.
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- Bassett Healthcare
- A.O. Fox Hospital
- LEAF
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Physical Activity and Nutrition |
- Bassett Healthcare
- A.O. Fox Hospital
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- Provide early education about the importance of physical activity and nutrition throughout life including during pregnancy to prevent chronic diseases.
- Develop plan or protocol to coordinate follow-up and continuing care treatment between families, schools and primary care providers for treatment of childhood obesity.
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