As part of the Nassau Health Care Corporationís (NHCC) commitment to improving the services and care provided to the Community Health Centers (CHC) patients, NHCC Acting President/CEO Arthur A. Gianelli announced an immediate implementation of a Five Point Reform Plan as Phase I of an overall strategic plan for the six CHCs, located throughout Nassau County. The announcement was made during a press conference at the Westbury/New Cassel Community Health Center on Union Avenue.

ìThe NHCC Community Health Centers play an essential role in providing primary and specialty outpatient care services, particularly to Medicaid and uninsured patients who reside in Nassau Countyís most medically underserved communities, î stated Gianelli. ìThese immediate steps to begin the overhaul of the CHCs, which will include modifying hours of operation, improving patient appointment systems, capital improvements, expansion of services and customer satisfaction surveys, demonstrate our commitment to improving services and care at the six centers.î

Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, in joining NHCC officials in announcing the Five-Point Reform Plan, stated: ìEveryone deserves to have quality healthcare, regardless of their ability to pay, and community health centers play an important role by providing health care to those residents who need it the most. Focusing on improving service at Nassau Community Health Centers is another sign that the new leadership of NUMC is on the right track and focusing on critical issues that directly impact the lives of patients.î

Guy T. Courbois, vice president of operations overseeing the Community Health Centers, stated, ìThis is an important first step in re-establishing our roots in the communities we are serving and delivering quality health care services that directly affect them.î

The following goals will be met in the Five-Point Reform Plan:

ï†Reduced wait times: Over the next several months, the wait time needed for a patient to see a service provider will be reduced, with a goal of wait time for a scheduled appointment, to be within two weeks. Offering additional primary care sessions, on evenings and weekends, and improving coordination with hospital departments and clinics will accomplish this goal.

ï Electronic scheduling: In order to improve the clinic scheduling system, manual ledger scheduling books will be replaced by an electronic appointment system with full roll out completed in all six centers by Dec. 31. The electronic appointment system will make it easier for patients and staff to make appointments and capture important patient information at the point of contact.

ï Expanded Services: With a goal to provide comprehensive health care services needed within the community beyond primary care, NHCC will file a Certificate of Need (CON) to amend its DTC license to include other ambulatory care services such as diabetes, podiatry and physical rehabilitation.

ï Capital Improvements: A series of capital improvements and new equipment purchases will be undertaken to improve the various facilities. These will include renovations of bathrooms, upgrade of the phone system, new exam tables, aesthetic improvements in waiting areas and improved signage.

ï Customer Satisfaction Surveys: In order to assess the quality, quantity and types of services being delivered to the community, patient satisfaction surveys in Spanish and English will be implemented, facilitating direct feedback from the community.

ìIn the coming months, we anticipate proposing additional specific equipment purchases and improvements to our centers, as well as other significant changes. By implementing our Five-Point Reform Plan we have an important opportunity to address historic deficiencies, restore confidence in the community and continue to fulfill our mission to the residents of Nassau County, particularly those who remain under-served and vulnerable,î concluded Gianelli.