OLE Health has received seven awards for high-quality service within the health field from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the agency responsible for oversight of federally qualified health centers. Of the more than 200 health centers across California eligible for HRSA awards, OLE Health is the only one to receive that many.
The awards are diverse and share a common thread of improving outcomes for patients served by eligible health centers, patients who are often the most vulnerable members of the community. This recognition is based on data provided the organization provides annually to HRSA and includes achievement in:
· Increasing access to care and services
· Leveraging technology to improve patient care
· Improving measurable health outcomes
· Reducing health disparities
· Increasing utilization of preventative services
· Responding to COVID-19
“These items aren’t just quality metrics measured by a government agency; they are efforts that help make our communities healthier and stronger,” said Alicia Hardy, Chief Executive Officer for OLE Health. “We have made strides in improving outcomes and access for patients, and continue to strive to do better. I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and the groundwork we have laid to continue to deliver on our mission of building stronger communities.”
Here is a complete description of the awards received and the efforts that earned the recognition:
· Health Center Quality Leader (Bronze), indicated they ranked in the top 30% of all health centers nationwide in their measures of overall quality. Some of the quality measures noted for excellence in 2022 include:
o Engaging patients in Prenatal Care early (during the first trimester)
o Reducing Low and Very Low Birthweight Deliveries
o Increasing Cervical Cancer Screening
o Promoting Dental Sealants for children ages 6-9
o Prescribing Statin Therapy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease
· Access Enhancer, for increasing by 5% the total number of patients treated at OLE Health and the number of patients who receive at least one comprehensive service. During the pandemic, OLE Health pushed to improve access and have hired more staff, leveraged telehealth services, and resumed evening and weekend hours to try to meet demand.
· Health Disparities Reducer, for a more than 10 percent improvement in high blood pressure control among patients representing various racial/ethnic backgrounds, including those who identified as Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native, White, or more than one race.
· Advancing Health Information Technology for Quality offering services via telehealth, using technology to exchange clinical information, engaging with patients via Health IT (i.e., portal use and texting), and collecting data on patient societal risk factors.
· Addressing Social Risk Factors, for collecting data on patients’ risk factors and increasing patients access to services through care coordination and other efforts to expand access.
· COVID-19 Public Health Champion, for OLE Health’s extensive work offering vaccination for and testing to patients and the community. OLE Health has offered more than 60,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine and continue to offer doses in their health centers.
· Patient-Centered Medical Home, for offering patients a consistent team of providers, led by a primary care provider, who ensure they receive the care they need in a way that they can understand. OLE Health is designated as a PCMH at four of their six sites and is in the process of having the other two designated as PCHM sites.
“This was an organization-wide effort, with every single OLE Health employee and department contributing to our success. We continue to find ways to improve access and provide the best care and outcomes for our patients and are grateful to be acknowledged for our efforts,” said Hardy.
OLE Health services are located at their six facilities in Calistoga, Fairfield, Napa and St. Helena. For more information, please visit the website at olehealth.org.
