Healthcare Coalitions: Bringing partners in public health and healthcare together

This column appears in the Nevada Appeal Wednesday health pages. It addresses topics related to the health of our community.

Thursday, agencies and organizations representing healthcare, public health, emergency medical services and law enforcement gathered at Carson City Fire Station 51 to participate in the inaugural Carson City Healthcare Coalition meeting. Facilitated by the County Health Officer, Susan Pintar, the meeting emphasized a whole community approach to solving issues related to public health and healthcare in our community.

Across the nation, healthcare coalitions are being developed to address gaps in the healthcare system.

For Carson City, the impetus to form a healthcare coalition derived from a Carson City Health & Human Services (CCHHS) grant requirement. As a subgrantee of the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health, CCHHS strives to meet the hospital preparedness program goals and support overall healthcare system preparedness. Activities are designed to address emergency response issues related to healthcare delivery and to maximizing the use of health resources.

Beyond the need to prepare for emergency disasters, the Carson City Healthcare Coalition aims to collaborate on larger public health issues, such as those related to substance abuse, behavioral health, and access to healthcare services. CCHHS is also hoping to engage coalition partners to participate in the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Planning (CHIP) process being conducted this year.

The Carson City Healthcare Coalition will be modeled after similar coalitions that exist in neighboring communities, such as Douglas County and Washoe County. Accomplishments of the Douglas County Healthcare Coalition include a reduction in hospital-acquired infections and a HeartSafe Community designation.

In addition, the coalition members have worked together to develop a baseline assessment tool for patients who are being transferred from one facility to another within the county. The Inter-Hospital Coordinating Council in Washoe County has developed healthcare evacuation plans and a water resource for hospitals. The Carson City Healthcare Coalition anticipates there will be many opportunities for community health improvement in the future.

If you represent a healthcare entity and are interested in becoming a member of the Carson City Healthcare Coalition, contact the Health Department at (775) 283-7908. To learn more about public health emergency preparedness efforts, check out our website at www.gethealthycarsoncity.org or “like” us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/CCHHS.