HEALTH
ACCESS
WORKERS,
GETTING
THE WORK
DONE
CMCS does the
harlem shake
Watch the video: http://www.cmcs-indy.com/video/CMCSHS.wmv
The CMCS
focal point video
Watch the video: http://www.cmcs-indy.com/video/CMCSOverviewS.wmv
CMCS connections
7
BY LINDA GROSSER
With limited time to complete
patient care visits, diagnose
and create treatment plans
for patients, providers are left
with little time to tackle the
non-clinical and social issues
which may be overwhelming
the patient and interfering
with their self care.
A Health Access Worker (HAW)
is a non-licensed team member
and community resource
specialist who works with the
patient and provider to improve
patient health outcomes. HAWs
can assist patients with a variety
of resources, including housing,
transportation and making or
attending appointments with
a patient. The HAW can help
patients navigate the complex
medical care system. This
ongoing support improves the
patient's access to care and
adherence to their treatment
plan. A pilot project using a
HAW is currently underway in a
busy provider office to improve
wellness care rates in children.
Working with a HAW allows
providers to work at the top of
their license. Knowing more
about the non-clinical needs
of patients allows for a more
holistic approach to care and
may be crucial to the overall
health and well being of patients,
resulting in an improved quality
of life. Visit innovations.ahrq.
gov for more information about
Health Access Workers.
4th quarter 2013
