ST. ANNA'S MEDICAL MISSION
What We Do
The Mobile Medical Unit is taken into predetermined areas of Greater New Orleans on a regular weekly schedule. Our schedule has included the St. Roch area, the Lower 9th Ward, Meraux (a hard-hit section of St. Bernard Parish), Central City and a predominantly Hispanic area of Kenner, in addition to our own neighborhood of the Treme' and Marigny. We continue to be cognizant of other areas that may benefit from our services with the continued lack of "normal" health care access, especially for the un-insured and under-insured, and hope to expand as we are able to increase the availability of physician or nurse practitioner coverage.
We accept adult patients on a first-come-first-serve basis. Most of the issues we see are hypertension (newly diagnosed or uncontrolled), diabetes, medication refills, depression/PTSD, rashes, colds/flu, and occasionally cuts/scrapes. Basic medical care is available when physicians or nurse practitioners are on-board; when no physician is available we provide blood pressure and diabetes screenings, education and referrals. Mental health screenings and counseling are available when psychiatrists or social workers are on board. Spiritual guidance/counseling is available when priests or deacons are available. All of our services are free.
We have no laboratory, EKG or radiology facilities, but can do simple procedures such as suturing simple lacerations, incision and drainage, etc., based on the practitioner's expertise. Referrals are made to several area clinics and/or hospitals for further care, and patients are educated and encouraged on the need for a more consistent means of healthcare (clinic or physician) for chronic or long-term illness. Sample medications, when available, are given to clients by the physician or nurse practitioner.
The EMS System (911) is called for life-threatening emergencies. If a client needs more care than we can provide immediately, yet is not a "911 emergency", they are sent to one of the referral clinics or to the nearest ER. If the client does not have transportation we'll get them there and home utilizing a contract with a local taxi company can.
Charts are made for each patient seen by a doctor/nurse practitioner and are kept in the RV. Screenings are also kept for future review.
Besides our "routine" schedule, we occasionally participate in health fairs or other similar type gatherings coordinated by various groups and organizations in town. Blood pressure, diabetes and stress/depression screenings are usually done at these events, but if there is a physician or nurse practitioner available, we'll also offer their services.
