Southern Ohio Health Services Network

400 Techne Center Dr. #402
Milford, OH 45150
513-576-7700

Project Title
Adams County Medical Facility Operations Start-Up
Grant Description
To assist in the start up of new services at the Seaman multi-service facility
Focus Area
Strengthening Primary Care Providers to the Poor
Region Served
Adams County, OH
Award Amount
$350,000
Year Awarded
2000
Grant Duration
24 months
Results At the new multi-specialty center in Seaman, Adams County, the year 2000 was a very big year. On August 14, we opened our approximately 24000 square foot facility, increasing access for individuals and families to primary care (including Ob-Gyn), dental services, behavioral health, and WIC services. If your were able to attend the open house on August 19, you would have seen our beautiful and efficiently arranged facility which consists of 37 patient rooms, 9 offices, a classroom, and a conference room.

The provider staff, operating Monday through Saturday, includes two internal medicine physicians, two pediatricians, a psychiatrist, a licensed social worker, four gynecologists, four dentists, two hygienists, a physician assistant, an ultrasound tech, and two pharmacists. Our medical and dental services are available to both uninsured residents and those with a variety of insurance coverage, including Medicare and Medicaid. The sliding fee charge for uninsured patients who qualify is based upon income and number of household members. We are pleased to offer a sliding fee for dental and medical care and for pharmacy charges.

Families or individuals with limited transportation resources can arrange a single trip to the office for the children and adults to obtain medical care, dental services, counseling services, pharmacy needs and a WIC appointment. Saturday appointments are also available at the new facility for dental care and adult medicine. the center has provided employment for several community residents. Our newly hired support staff all reside in Adams County. In addition, we offer our classroom and conference rooms to community groups who may need meeting space.

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Project Title
Ohio Shared Information System (OSIS)
Grant Description
To provide a) full connectivity and conversion of all partner sites (23 locations) within the OSIS network, b) centralized training services and c) a shared accounting system among the three provider networks in six counties
Focus Area
Strengthening Primary Care Providers to the Poor
Region Served
Adams, Brown, Clermont, Hamilton, Highland, and Fayette Counties, OH
Award Amount
$386,455
Year Awarded
2001
Grant Duration
12 months
Results In March 2002, all 23 project sites were converted to the Medical Manager practice management software system that has billing, quality assurance, and patient management functionalities. This major feat involved 900 hours of staff training and completed the infrastructure for OSIS to move forward more aggressively on other major initiatives:
  • Shared Accounting Software System. The accounting software vendor used currently by two of the three centers plans to introduce a Windows-based version in May 2002. After evaluating two other systems, it was the consensus of the OSIS Finance Committee to delay their recommendation until the new product was introduced and they had the opportunity to review it. The hardware and software required to augment accounting system outputs are in place.
  • Expanded Training and Help Desk Services. A full-time Trainer and Help Desk Technician were hired in late 2001. The Trainer will become the “Medical Manager System Expert” and assure the staff is trained and their skills are maintained. The Trainer is also responsible for basic PC skills training. Classes in Internet Explorer, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, and Basic Windows Navigation are now being offered to health center staffs on a monthly basis. The Help Desk Technician is available during normal work hours to respond to basic hardware and software questions and problems.

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Project Title
Ohio Shared Services, Inc.
Grant Description
To create a shared medical information system network for three safety-net provider organizations in six counties
Focus Area
Strengthening Primary Care Providers to the Poor
Region Served
Adams, Brown, Clermont, Hamilton, Highland, and Fayette Counties, OH
Award Amount
$500,000
Year Awarded
2000
Grant Duration
12 months
Results All three entities involved--Southern Ohio Health Services Network, Cincinnati Health Network and Lincoln Heights Health Care Connection--have outdated Management Information Systems (MIS) systems that will no longer be supported by their respective vendors. The cost of each entity purchasing new hardware and software was prohibitive. The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati funding has enabled the three entities to form a non-profit corporation, Ohio Shared Information Services, Inc. (OSIS).

OSIS has purchased a new MIS system, Medical Manager. The hardware and software have been installed and the staff of the respective entities are currently being trained. The first organization to convert to the new system will be Lincoln Heights Health Care Connection followed by conversions for the other two organizations. The system is currently licensed for 160 operators. After the original three incorporating entities are utilizing the system effectively, other not-for-profit primary care organizations that provide services to similar populations will be invited to join OSIS.

The hardware configuration can accommodate up to 2000 users. In addition to providing billing services, the system includes quality assurance and patient management programs.

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Project Title
Western Brown County School-Based Health Center Year Four Challenge & Incentive Grants
Grant Description
To support the Western Brown School-Based Health Center's sixth year of operations
Focus Area
School-Based Child Health Interventions
Region Served
Brown County, OH
Award Amount
$59,036
Year Awarded
2003
Grant Duration
12 months
Results Western Brown School-Based Health Center (SBHC) was developed through a joint effort between Southern Ohio Health Services Network (SOHSN) and Western Brown School District to address the need for improved access to primary care services for the children of the county’s largest school district. The SBHC offers medical, dental, and mental health counseling services to the elementary and middles schools, kindergarten through eighth grade. The SBHC is staffed by a Practice Manager, Nurse Practitioner, Licensed Independent Social Worker, Dental Hygienist, and Administrative Assistant. SOHSN’s Dental Director also donates a limited amount of hours each school year for dental screenings for a designated grade level.

The SBHC has enjoyed increased success since its inception. As of January 2004, 1,283 students are enrolled in the program, up from 670 only two years ago. So far in the 2003-04 school year, the SBHC has provided over 1,200 visits.

Both SOHSN and school staffs (as well as other volunteers) are committed to financial sustainability of the program. Members of its fundraising committee have been actively fundraising through private and government grants, private contributions, local government support, payroll deductions, board mileage check donation, and special projects. The SBHC has also been successful at billing and reimbursement for services rendered at the center.

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Project Title
Western Brown Local School District SBHC
Grant Description
To create a school-based health center in the Western Brown County School District that will provide primary health care to students in grades K-8
Focus Area
School-Based Child Health Interventions
Region Served
Brown County, OH
Award Amount
$334,000
Year Awarded
1999
Grant Duration
36 months
Results The Western Brown SBHC opened in October 2000. They provided mental health and primary care services for the K - 8th grade. The SBHC also referred students for additional medical and mental health services as needed and followed-up on the referrals.

The SBHC provides health education instruction in the classroom, such as First Aid and Fat to Fit, but was unable to have the district implement a curriculum beyond state requirements. The SBHC continues working on this.

Dental services became available during the second year of operation. There were a total of 818 Dental Screenings and 193 Dental Cleanings over the 3 year time period.

The Western Brown SBHC continues working on persuing sustainability through service, donations, grants and other appropriate means. During the second year of operation, SOHSN enforced stricter payment rules, which reduced the number of families enrolled in the SBHC, but did not impact the overall activity of the SBHC. During the third year of operation, the SBHC experienced a 76% collection rate, which is slightly lower than SOHSN's overall rates. The SBHC collected over $60,000 in services revenue for year three. In addition to service revenue, the SBHC received three grants totaling $56,000, not including the Foundation Challenge and Incentive Grants, and implemented a variety of funraising techniques, such as a cookbook sale. The SBHC plans to apply for the federal grant, "Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities," which would make the SBHC self-sustained. Even though the SBHC is not currently self-sustaining, its successful billing practices greatly reduce the additional amount needed to operate.

The SBHC implemented the use of Welligent school-based health center program for their medical records and evaluation. They also participated in the Foundations's external evaluation of the school-based health center grantees and also participated in SBHC Health Outcomes and Cost Effectiveness Studies.

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Project Title
Western Brown School-Based Health Planning
Grant Description
To determine the feasibility of a school-based health center in the Western Brown School District
Focus Area
School-Based Child Health Interventions
Region Served
Brown County, OH
Award Amount
$24,077
Year Awarded
1999
Grant Duration
6 months
Results The grant resulted in a proposal for a School-Based Health Center Start-Up Grant, which was submitted to the Foundation.

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