Cottage Health 2020 Culture Audit

Population Health UPDATED: Population Health is an initiative created to improve the health outcomes of our communities and avert unnecessary illness and more expensive health care. By offering grant funding and collaboration to local nonprofits, Cottage is able to help more of our neighbors live healthier and more productive lives. Recuperative Care Program Offers Healing, Housing and Hope to Patients Experiencing Homelessness As some of the most vulnerable members of the community, patients experiencing homelessness are at risk of poorer health outcomes and often lack access to basic support in recovering from illness or injury. Cottage Health has partnered with PATH Santa Barbara to address the basic needs of these fragile patients through the Cottage Recuperative Care Program. Launched as a pilot program with four beds in fall 2018 and fully implemented with 10 beds at the beginning of 2019, the program helps homeless individuals recover in a safe and supportive environment after hospital discharge. Goals include increased access to permanent housing, decreased hospital visits and increased access to a medical home. Under the program, PATH provides up to 10 beds for patients discharged from Cottage Health hospitals in Santa Barbara, Goleta Valley and the Santa Ynez Valley. Patients can remain in the program for up to 90 days and receive support from an onsite Cottage Health nurse, a Cottage Health navigator to help address social needs and around-the-clock respite care monitors. Currently, Santa Barbara County has approximately 1,800 individuals experiencing homelessness, of whom 50% live in the City of Santa Barbara. Much of this population comes through the emergency department (ED) frequently, only to return to the streets facing challenging circumstances for recuperation. Working with PATH, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and CenCal Health (the region’s Medi-Cal program), Cottage Health participates in a steering committee with these partners to focus on program planning, process improvement, and evaluation. The program brings hope and help to a population most in need. Patients are provided a safe place to recover and receive support in achieving better health outcomes and addressing their social needs. To support them, the onsite Cottage Health navigator and nurse develop individualized plans for social and medical care needs, connect patients to resources and job training, and help them become document-ready for housing. To date, the program has had 23 patients (83% male and 100% CenCal), with significant decreases in ED and inpatient visits. Currently, there are nine patients in the program, and ten patients have completed it. Upon exiting, one entered permanent housing, one moved to temporary housing, seven transitioned to PATH program beds, and one returned to a prior living arrangement. Supplemental Materials Video : Partnerships in Care - Cottage Recuperative Care at PATH 34/119 Start | Contents | Highlights | Business Description | Hiring & Welcoming | Inspiring | Speaking | Listening | Thanking | Developing | Caring | Celebrating | Sharing • Business Description 6.21