Agenda - 11-16-1993 - III-B (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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II and the manner in which to utilize and access these services. As the social work outreach plan begins in the Southern Orange Clinic, students in need of health services will also be identified through contacts at school. This networking will be facilitated by the Program Coordinator (the medical staff person in the Adolescents-in-Need Project) who will be available during the first cycle of the grant to set up the clinic and the supporting network. This person will spend time meeting with the above groups as she sets up the physical aspects of the clinic and meeting periodically with key individual providers from each agency. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES The target community has a wealth of medical services available to its population. A major teaching hospital, a community health clinic and private physicians reach many people. The proposed clinic/outreach program will complement these services by providing free care to students who do not have access to comprehensive health care. Through county funding, an Adolescent Clinic was developed in the Northern branch of the OCHD and is staffed by a physician, nurse, clinic manager, lab technician and nutritionist. The clinic is held on one afternoon per week and provides care for 8-10 students per clinic day. Transportation is offered from school to clinic and all services are free. The adolescent clinic provides services to teens aged 12 to 21 and recommends annual visits for physical examinations and health guidance. Follow up visits or referrals to other providers are scheduled as warranted by clinical signs or symptoms. Adolescents present with complaints ranging for acne to orthopedic problems to sexuality issues. On arrival to the clinic, adolescents fill out an intake form that helps them define how they are feeling physically and emotionally. This information is then used by providers to discuss issues relevant to the individual adolescents health and behavior. All adolescents under the age of eighteen are required to have permission from their guardian to be seen at the clinic. Confidentiality is guaranteed for family planning, diagnosis and treatment of STDs and mental health counseling. Acute or chronic medical problems needing referral, require permission from guardian for services to be rendered. Health guidance is part of each clinic encounter in order to promote a better understanding of physical growth, psychosocial and psychosexual development and to encourage the adolescent to become actively involved in decisions regarding their health care. Topics covered in health guidance are injury prevention, fitness and nutrition, sexual behaviors including abstinence, tobacco use, alcohol use and other substances including anabolic steroids. Screening services are available through the adolescent clinic for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, scoliosis, tobacco, alcohol and other substances, sexual behaviors, sexually transmitted diseases, depression or suicide, emotional, physical or sexual abuse, learning or school problems and TB skin test. If screening is positive, appropriate referrals are made to providers at local tertiary care centers, mental health and social service agencies. Follow up is coordinated through the referring physician, clinic manager, school nurse and receiving physician at the time of the referral. Medical care is provided for common problems seen in the adolescent clinic not requiring referral such as acne and other skin problems, asthma, musculoskeletal problems including minor sports injuries, headaches, sexually transmitted diseases, allergies, sinusitis, urinary tract infections, anemia, upper and lower respiratory tract infections, immunizations, stress, peer pressure, chronic abdominal pain and obesity.