Virginia free clinics care for more patients during the pandemic, as donations drop
The coronavirus pandemic is putting pressure on free clinics across Virginia. They’re providing care to some of the people most vulnerable to the virus at a time when clinic resources are strained.
We know that the number of cases we have on record is an underrepresentation of the true burden for several reasons. Some underrepresentation is because testing for SARS-CoV-2 might not be available for the infected person… Another factor is that not everyone will need to see a doctor for COVID-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) published a very detailed report about the outbreak of COVID-19 in China and found that 80% of cases were mild or moderate. Since then, there have been studies that have identified infections in people who never develop symptoms. If someone gets infected and recovers on their own, then public health may never find out about the case.
Five Things to Remember When Interpreting Epidemiologic Data – Coronavirus
Data will change some overtime. VDH gets data on COVID-19 from a number of different sources. Laboratory results, morbidity reports, death certificates, medical records, and patient interviews are a few of the ways we collect data. Sometimes these different sources will disagree on something. For example, we may get a positive lab result that doesn’t have the patient’s address. To count this case, we use the address of the doctor who ordered the lab test. During the course of the interview, we may find out that the case-patient sought care from their doctor in one county, but actually lives in a different county. In another example, we may receive a report of a case-patient who has all of the symptoms of COVID-19 and meets the criteria for a ‘Probable’ case. If later laboratory testing comes back negative, then we won’t count that person as a case anymore. Every time that we report data, we are reporting the most up-to-date information we have, even if it’s different from what we reported before.
MADISON FREE CLINIC ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF FREE WIFI
Maintaining social distancing in the time of the COVID-19 emergency
MADISON, VA, April 6, 2020— The Madison Free Clinic, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has launched free Wi-Fi for our patients, students, job seekers, and other Madison residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective April 8, 2020, our highspeed Internet will accessible in our parking lot regardless of whether the Clinic itself is open at the time.
The Clinic expects that those using the service do so in accordance with all relative State and Federal laws, and limit their usage to those productive purposes mentioned above, remaining respectful of overall bandwidth consumption. Please see the Acceptable Use Policy below.
The staff, patients, and volunteers of the clinic are extremely grateful to our partners and donors for their continued support during this unprecedented and challenging time.
The Madison Free Clinic, Inc. is 501(c)3 nonprofit organization providing medical, dental, vision and nutrition services to uninsured adults living in Madison County who meet certain financial qualifications.
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Guest Wireless Access Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
This Policy is a guide to the acceptable use of the Madison Free Clinic’s public wi-fi services (Services). Any individual connected to the Clinic’s network in order to use it directly, or to connect to any other network(s), must comply with this policy and the stated purposes and Acceptable Use policies of any other network(s) or host(s) used. The following guidelines will be applied to determine whether or not a particular use of the Services is appropriate:
Users must respect the privacy of others. Users shall not intentionally seek information on, or represent themselves as, another user unless explicitly authorized to do so by that user. Nor shall Users obtain copies of, or modify files, other data, or passwords belonging to others.
Users must respect the legal protection applied to programs, data, photographs, music, written documents and other material as provided by copyright, trademark, patent, licensure and other proprietary rights mechanisms.
Users must respect the integrity of other public or private computing and network systems. Users shall not intentionally develop or use programs that harass other users or infiltrate any other computer, computing system or network and/or damage or alter the software components or file systems of a computer, computing system or network.
Use should be consistent with guiding ethical statements and accepted community standards. Use of the Services for malicious, fraudulent, or misrepresentative purposes is not acceptable.
The Services may not be used in ways that violate applicable laws or regulations.
The Services may not be used in a manner that precludes or significantly hampers network access by others. Nor may the Services be used in a manner that significantly impairs access to other networks connected to the Clinic’s network.
Connections that create routing patterns that are inconsistent with the effective and shared use of the Services may not be established.
Unsolicited advertising is not acceptable. Advertising is permitted on some Web pages, mailing lists, newsgroups, and similar environments if advertising is explicitly allowed in that environment.
Repeated, unsolicited and/or unwanted communication of an intrusive nature is strictly prohibited. Continuing to send e-mail messages or other communications to an individual or organization after being asked to stop is not acceptable.
By logging on, you agree to hold the Madison Free Clinic harmless for any damages that may result from access to the Internet or inappropriate usage.
The intent of this policy is to identify certain types of uses that are not appropriate, but this policy does not necessarily enumerate all possible inappropriate uses. Using the guidelines given above, we may at any time make a determination that a particular use is not appropriate.
Madison Free Clinic increasing services for residents
The Madison Free Clinic is ramping up its efforts to try and help residents in Madison County during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for more information.
Distance and travel time between patients and care providers can limit access to care. Fortunately, telemedicine can overcome geographic barriers to healthcare, especially for specialized providers. Telemedicine can be particularly beneficial for patients in medically underserved communities and those in rural geographical locations where clinician shortages exist.
A recent study showed that with telemedicine, patients had:
• 38% fewer hospital admissions
• 31% fewer hospital re-admissions
• 63% more likely to spend fewer days in the hospital
• Were more engaged in their healthcare
A strong doctor-patient relationship is the foundation for high-quality patient care and reducing health care costs. Telemedicine should support, not replace, traditional care delivery. With telemedicine care providers can continue to care for patients in-person care while still providing the flexibility and convenience of seeing patients remotely for follow up visits, check-ups, and education when appropriate or necessary.
I am a patient at the Madison County Free Clinic. I would like to tell a little of life’s story.
I have always been a working man. I started out working at 12 years old between the school years and on weekends. I worked for my uncle, building homes. I did this for about 5 years until I got out of school. I immediately went to work full time as a mechanic. I worked for many years as a technician and service manager for a local family-owned business.
But let’s back up a little. When I was in my mid to late twenties, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. And also severe gouty arthritis. Over the years, the conditions became extreme. By the time I was in my 40’s, I had diabetic nerve damage and also joint damage and circulation problems in my feet and legs. The pain at times was unbearable. I continued working until I was 52 years old. At that point, I was at the end of my rope. I didn’t know what to do. My doctors had told me that I needed to get off my feet before I ended up losing them. So, with no other choice, I had to leave a job that I loved and the people that I had cared for and worked with for many years.
Now, what was I going to do? The last time I picked up my insulin at the pharmacy before my insurance ran out, I asked the pharmacist how much insulin would cost when I had to pay for it? The answer about floored me. One month’s supply of both types of insulin was going to be $997 and change. This was very bad news.
Thankfully, one of my nurses, at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, told me about a program with the manufacturer of the insulin. So, my wife did all the paperwork and sent it to the drug manufacturer. With the help of the Free Clinic, we were approved to get my insulin at no cost. This helped greatly!
Well, it’s been 5 years. Every year, I have to re-qualify. The wonderful staff at Madison Free Clinic does this for me. Along with approval from my Doctor, they submit my paperwork and every year I’ve been approved and continue to get my insulin at no cost. This is literally a lifesaver. I don’t know how I could possible manage to get my insulin without the help of the Free Clinic.
After having nearly 40 years of work history, the hardest thing I ever had to do was walk into the Madison Free Clinic and ask for help. I was delightfully surprised! I met some of the most caring and respectful people I have ever met in my life. My very special thanks to Diana Kornegay and Brenda Clements and all the staff at Madison Free Clinic.
A 4-week Balanced Living with Diabetes series is being offered for individuals who are diabetic, pre-diabetic, or interested in learning how to prevent diabetes, beginning Monday, October 16th from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM at the Madison Extension Office (located in the War Memorial Building, 2 South Main Street,). During the series, participants will review diabetic meal planning practices, portion control, and self-management strategies for living well with diabetes, guided by a Registered Dietician and Certified Diabetes Educator. Participants will be eligible for a free A1C test and blood pressure screening at no cost. Diabetic friendly recipes will be demonstrated, and participants will receive items to help manage their diabetes (a cookbook, measuring cups, pedometer, etc.) all for free! There is an opportunity for eligible individuals to participate in a study to evaluate the impact of this program.
For more information, or to register, please call Clare Lillard, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent at (540)948-6881.
Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and services are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation or marital or family status. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. If you are a person with a disability and require assistance or accommodation to participate in this program, please call the Madison County Extension Office at (540)948-6881 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at least five days prior to this event. TDD number is 800-828-1120.
MADISON, VA, April 6, 2020— The Madison Free Clinic, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has launched free Wi-Fi for our patients, students, job seekers, and other Madison residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective April 8, 2020, our highspeed Internet will accessible in our parking lot regardless of whether the Clinic itself is open at the time.
