What’s new in health care in Coosa County: House calls are back, bringing better access, improved outcomes
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Special to the News
By Heather Jarrett, chief clinical officer, Optum Home & Community Care Solutions
In Coosa County, residents are now enjoying something reminiscent of older classic television shows, harkening back to simpler times.
Remember the old Marcus Welby, MD TV show? The doctor, with a kind bedside manner, made house calls and was on a first-name basis with many of his patients. After his examination, he would console the family and announce, “Don’t worry, she’ll be just fine.”
But what’s old is new again as actual house calls are making a comeback, providing better access and improved outcomes here in Coosa County.
Many older adults are now benefiting from programs being offered through many health insurers who bring nurse practitioners and their preventive care skills into the homes of older adults. The nurse practitioners spend up to an hour with patients, checking their health and helping them make connections to other social services so they can live a better, more independent life.
Coosa County is faring slightly worse than the average county in Alabama for population health and well-being, and worse than the average county in the nation, according to County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a national study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
In Coosa County, 24% of adults reported that they consider themselves in fair or poor health, which is higher than the state average of 22%.
One nurse practitioner who is a true believer of house calls has seen firsthand how the program is saving lives.
Nelda, a seasoned nurse practitioner, brings decades of nursing experience to the doorsteps of patients. Nelda’s career began in 1995 and advanced through every level of nursing education.
In one visit, Nelda detected a dangerously irregular heartbeat in a patient who had just seen his doctor the day before. Acting quickly, she called the physician from the patient’s home and arranged for an urgent follow-up.
The diagnosis: atrial fibrillation, a condition that, if left untreated, can lead to stroke. Thanks to Nelda’s intervention, the patient was promptly started on life-saving medications.
In another case, she recognized signs of congestive heart failure – swollen feet, shortness of breath and an irregular pulse. She contacted the patient’s cardiologist directly, securing an appointment within two days. The patient was hospitalized and stabilized before the condition worsened.
For Nelda, these moments define the value of house calls.
“That’s the meat and potatoes of what we do,” she says. “We catch things others might miss – not because they don’t care, but because they don’t have the time.”
Her patients often express deep gratitude, telling her, “God sent you to me.” And for Nelda, that’s all the reason she needs to keep going.
Harkening back to house calls is something old that’s new again and improving the lives of older adults.
If you are interested in learning more about the house call program, please contact your health plan for more information.
