OUR UPDATED COVID-19 RESPONSE (October)
For Patients and Referring Providers:
On March 17, Culmore Clinic moved to Telemedicine appointments only. Current patients needing routine care and/or who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should call 703 860 2413 to schedule an appointment .
Para Pacientes y Proveedores de Referencias:
Desde el 17 de marzo, la Clínica Culmore solamente se dedica a las citas de telemedicina. Los pacientes actuales que necesiten atención de rutina y/o que experimenten síntomas de COVID-19 deben llamar al 703 860 2413 para programar una cita.
For Community-at-Large:
Dear Community,
I hope this finds you safe and well and finding ways to stay connected to friends and family. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted us all in different ways, depending on which “boat” we are in during this storm; and it has also impacted us in similar ways, especially our mental and emotional health. If you are reading this update, I hope that it will bring you some comfort and joy knowing that your support has enabled Culmore Clinic to meet the healthcare of existing and many new patients who have been disproportionately impacted by this scourge due to their living and working conditions, not to mention underlying health conditions.
Know, too, that even though many patients tested positive and got quite sick, our wrap-around care for these patients – from nursing follow-up to the delivery of food and medical supplies to referrals to community resources – helped get them back on their feet. Thank you for being there with us!
As the curve has flattened in our community, with few positive cases being recorded over the last few weeks, we have made some adjustments to our services and begun to prepare for reopening once again.
The development of a hybrid model of patient service – telemedicine and select onsite services – began with putting in place a comprehensive infectious disease prevention plan, spurred on by Governor Northam’s edict that every place of employment in the Commonwealth establish an Emergency Temporary Standard to protect employees, facilities, and others from potential infection.
In close communication with our dear host, First Christian Church of Falls Church, we have also developed a reopening plan that encompasses steps to protect the larger church facility, staff, and congregants. I will keep you posted on those developments.
Meanwhile:
We continue to offer telemedicine provider visits, with follow-up nursing calls as necessary, and at a rate of 189 provider visits per month. Please check out our homespun telemedicine video to see exactly what that looks like!
We offer onsite medication pickup (and delivery as necessary), thanks to NOVA ScriptsCentral and a team of volunteers from the Church of Latter-day Saints. And our partner, Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, has not missed a week of food and meal delivery to patients each week since the pandemic began!
With funds from our Breaking Barriers Fund, Culmore Clinic continues to support patients with the purchase of prescriptions or medical supplies when it is clear that our patients are faced with the choice of taking care of their health and paying their rent – a choice we don’t think anyone should have to make.
We have enrolled 98 new patients who did not have a primary healthcare home and continue to offer patients referrals to community resources provided by the County or our nonprofit partners and faith communities.
We have started vaccinating patients against the flu, with the help of a fabulous team of Marymount University student nurses who provide both a critical service to the Clinic while gaining firsthand nursing experience.
So, you can see we are still incredibly busy and I remain in awe of the dedication of our staff and volunteers, our donors and supporters, and our Board and partners to the mission of the small, but mighty Culmore Clinic and its precious patients. Thank you, one and all!
Please be sure to check our blog often, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and sign up for our e-newsletter if you have not yet. These are the best ways we can keep you informed and inspired during this trying time.
Take care of yourselves and stay healthy!
Warmly,
Anne-Lise
Anne-Lise Quinn
Executive Director
Culmore Clinic
anneliseq@culmoreclinic.org