Two years ago, Winnebago’s Specialty Vehicle Division partnered with the Boston-based Kraft Center for Community Health to build a mobile medical clinic, which has since been dubbed Community Care in Reach. Its mission is to reach out to those struggling or recovering from opioid addiction.
The mobile unit recently reached the 10,000-contact milestone, and since its deployment has had nearly 1,400 patient encounters. Seventy-five percent of Community Care in Reach’s clinical encounters represent follow-up visits by patients. The team has also distributed almost 3,000 overdose-reversing naloxone kits to individuals coping with opioid addiction.
Community Care in Reach was built by Winnebago Industries Specialty Vehicles using its Class C 423S Ford Transit-based platform with personalized modifications. The mobile health unit features a small waiting area, a patient exam room and all the medical equipment necessary to enable the vehicle and staff to act as a licensed satellite clinic. Using secure WiFi, health professionals can access medical records and enroll patients in programs, bringing the same sense of formality, organization, and process as a hospital.
“Through mobile outreach, these caregivers can engage people in their environment, provide basic services and help patients begin treatment for their opioid addictions in a trusting environment,” said Ashis Bhattacharya, vice president of Business Development, Advanced Technology, and Specialty Vehicles at Winnebago Industries. “The results they’ve reported in the last two years speak volumes, and we are looking forward to following their results in the coming years.”
Added Craig Regis, program manager for The Kraft Center for Community Health: “In Massachusetts alone, an average of six people are dying every day from opioid use and overdose. Since most of these deaths occur in populations experiencing homelessness or housing instability, we needed to bring services directly to this population. Through our collaborations with Winnebago Industries Specialty Vehicles and the GE Foundation, we have helped a significant number of people in the last two years who are disconnected from healthcare or don’t have the means to travel. We are very grateful for their support.”
