Tuesday, April 29, 2025
4/29/2025
Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending - Construction - Alameda Health System (AHS) is a major safety net health care organization providing comprehensive services to more than 110,000 patients who are ethnically/racially diverse and low-income. The COVID-19 pandemic forced AHS to rethink its health care delivery model from one entirely reliant on patients having face-to-face visits to one that now incorporates telehealth visits and technology as a critical way to improve access. AHS is dedicated to expanding its telehealth activities and promoting equitable access to digital tools for our vulnerable populations. AHS patients value and appreciate telehealth video visits which provide flexibility and convenience by enabling them to engage in care more often and more effectively than in-person visits (e.g., eliminates transportation challenges). As a result, digital health must increasingly be incorporated as a standard tool for patient care. At the same time, advancements in technology have the potential to promote health disparities and widen inequities due to the digital divide. Patients can face technology barriers and challenges that prevent full engagement in telehealth video visits such as limited broadband and/or internet access, the lack of a computer or smartphone, as well as, insufficient digital literacy. Recognizing these challenges, AHS proposes to use the Congressionally Directed Spending allocation of $316,000 to purchase equipment that will enhance AHS’s telehealth and digital presence, and improve patient access and experience. The telehealth expansion project has three components: 1. Expand telehealth video visit capability: Capacity would be expanded by creating virtual hubs for doctors/providers to conduct video visits in privacy. The lack of space, privacy concerns and inadequate technology limit adoption of video visits. Ten (10) mobile equipment workstations would be purchased to create usable and agile environments for physicians to conduct video visits with patients. The virtual hubs would be located on the Highland Hospital campus and support ambulatory outpatient services. 2. Implement patient portal access for hospitalized patients: Through AHS’s electronic health record, patients have access to a patient portal which enables them to obtain their health information, request services and monitor their health condition(s). However, AHS does not provide access to the patient portal for those who are in the hospital. One hundred (100) tablets, associated case/keyboards and medical mobile carts would be purchased and placed in hospital rooms for patient use. With these tools, patients could access the patient portal and obtain such information as their test results, list of hospital-related health issues, current medications. The mobile tablet carts would be placed in AHS’s three acute care hospitals, namely, Alameda Hospital, Highland Hospital and San Leandro Hospital. By providing patients easy access to bedside devices and resources, they are not reliant on bringing their own devices which may or may work due to connectivity issues. 3. Create patient kiosks: Patient kiosks have been shown to improve patient experience, expedite various clinic activities (such as patient appointment check-in/registration, questionnaires) and create operational efficiencies. Patients have increasing expectation that technology will be used to reduce their wait-time, provide them vital clinical information and/or facilitate a productive conversation with their clinician. AHS does not have patient kiosks in any of its facilities. Thirty-eight (38) mobile kiosks would be purchased and placed throughout the three acute care hospitals (i.e., Alameda, Highland and San Leandro) and the wellness centers/clinics (i.e., Eastmont, Hayward, Highland and Newark). It is estimated that all projects will be implemented within 12 months of award with a July 1, 2022 start date and June 30, 2023 completion date.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).