Turning Points Adds On-Site Blood Testing, Education and Treatment Program in New Partnership with Manatee County

BRADENTON – The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners have approved funding to be allocated for Turning Points to add a pilot on-site blood testing, education and treatment program for HbA1C (blood sugar) and Lipid Panels (Cholesterol) at the Bill Galvano One Stop Center Clinic.

Providing these tests on-site allows the physicians, clinicians and LECOM students at the Turning Points clinic to inform the patient immediately of the results and to provide education, nutrition information, and pharmacy education and services as available for conditions related to diabetes and high cholesterol. In September 2015, County funding was set aside in the Health Care Reserves for pilot programs to look for ways to provide early intervention in healthcare related issues. By providing early treatment of these two diseases for patients with limited access to care, we hope to decrease the long-term number of diabetics being hospitalized for more severe illnesses.

This program shall provide a full service health program centered on the provision of blood testing for HbA1C and Lipid Panels to eligible Manatee County residents. Activities shall include:

a. Free quarterly HbA1C and Lipid Panel testing and analysis available to each diabetic or prediabetic patient and initial tests to patients deemed at risk of becoming diabetic as recommended by a physician or physician extender

b. Nutrition education

c. Education on prescriptions

d. Pharmacy services (when available)

e. Distribution of Coast2Coast discount prescription cards

f. Recommended additional treatments and referrals (i.e.: eye exams, skin checks)

g. Lifestyle education related to living with diabetes or heart disease

h. Blood pressure monitoring and treatment

i. Weight management education

j. Encourage all Type 2 diabetes patients to participate in the LECOM “Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Survey” including permitting the County to place computers in the clinic to allow for electronic survey completions

k. Reporting to the County

“This is a transitional year in uninsured health care in Manatee County, and the relationship with Turning Points in this pilot project will allow us to develop data related to uninsured needs in our community while creating opportunities for better health for the Turning Points clients. Programs such as this are critical in improving health care over time through the application of evidence based practices”, said Karen Windom, Deputy County Administrator for Manatee County.

The newly appointed Turning Points Medical Director, Dr. Ron Cirillo, will be responsible for overseeing this program along Jill Hinman, the Turning Points Clinic Director. They work with paid and volunteer healthcare professionals to provide quality healthcare to clients. The clinic provides free services to the uninsured and under insured. Just in the past 6 months, the medical and dental clinics have had 4,000 visits and have done over $440,000 in free services. Dr. Cirillo also oversees the rotation of the 4th year medical students who provide primary care along with pharmacy students from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM).

Pictured – The Bill Galvano One Stop Center at Turning Points

About Turning Points

Turning Points and our Bill Galvano One Stop Center partners provide a remarkable variety of services designed to assist individuals and families on their path to financial stability and independence. Turning Points is the one stop shop for preventing and ending homelessness in our community. We provide day resource services (such as hot showers, laundry services, clothing, food), employment services, rental and utility assistance, veteran’s services (employment, housing and childcare), and free medical and dental care for the uninsured and underinsured. A total of 9,645 people received help last year with critical services targeted to the essential needs of people in crisis. Turning Points can only provide this high standard of service because of our caring, compassionate volunteers and strong community support.

For more information, visit http://tpmanatee.org/

To donate directly to Turning Points, visit http://tpmanatee.org/take-action/donate/