2008 Clinic Update

We’d like to update you on the care that we gave during 2008. We see patients on a walk-in basis on Thursday evenings from 6-8:30 and established patients by appointment two Monday evenings a month.

What kind of care are we providing?
• Since our opening, we’ve seen 932 new patients for a total of 1966 visits. 
• In 2008, we had 1026 visits, a 40% increase from 2007.
• 73% of the visits were for chronic health conditions.
• 21% of our visits are by appointment, allowing more continuity for patients with chronic health conditions and additional time for health education. 
• 25% of patients see our patient advocates for assistance with specialty care referrals, prescription assistance programs, social service resources, and other needs.
• In 2008 we wrote over 1200 prescriptions, mostly for chronic conditions.
• We successfully helped over 100 patients apply for coverage through the Oregon Health Plan, and 6 were randomly selected to receive coverage.
• We currently have 254 people on our chronic disease registry, which includes those with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, asthma, and depression.
• The number of people with diabetes that we care for increased by 113% in 2008 and those with hypertension increased by 81%.
• 63% of our diabetic patients have gotten the pneumonia vaccination, which compares favorably to the Oregon state average of 52%.

Who are we seeing?
• 97% of patients seen in 2008 live in the North/inner Northeast neighborhood. (We usually can help patients from areas outside the neighborhood find care closer to where they live.)
• 95% of our patients have household incomes below 150% of the federal poverty level despite 50% being employed.
• Those patients established at our clinic have reduced their use of the emergency room by 25%.
• 51% of our patients are men and 49% are women.
• 45% are African American, 36% are Caucasian and 10% are multi-cultural or not giving information.

How do the patients feel about our service?
• Our patients, many living in poverty, donated more than $1,500 in 2008 to support the work of our clinic.
• We receive thanks and blessings from grateful patients many times each week.
• Those patients fortunate enough to obtain health insurance are often disappointed that they will no longer be able to see us at North by Northeast. 

Thanks to all of you who support our work. Together, we are building a stronger community.