Caring Begins at Caridad Center – Now More Than Ever

In 2010 our major accomplishments included:

Adults and children (birth to 17) who could not access health care elsewhere came to Caridad Center for acute and/or chronic care services. Volunteer doctors and nurses, dentists and dental assistants & hygienists, provided primary health and dental care, pediatrics, gynecology, mental health, specialty care, and, through the Patient Care Coordinator, referrals to outside providers for prosthetics, medical appliances, further evaluations, procedures and surgeries, when required. Additional services included medications, hearing tests, case management, chronic disease prevention, education and treatment, and assistance in obtaining health insurance, if eligible.

5,647 patients were assessed by Caridad Health Clinic volunteer providers and at outreach activities organized by the Prevention, Education and Treatment (P.E.T.) Program for risk of Hypertension, Diabetes, High Cholesterol, Obesity, and Metabolic Syndrome. Of these, 5,258 received additional screenings to confirm a diagnosis. 3,427 were found to have at least one chronic disease.

 

The P.E.T. Chronic Disease Management Program served 643 clinic adults, identifying 224 as at risk and 227 with at least one chronic disease. The P.E.T. Childhood Obesity Program saw 110 children, identifying 36 at risk, 10 with a chronic disease, and enrolled 20 families in a holistic, family-centered approach to improving the children’s health outcomes.

In addition to clinic patients, the P.E.T. Program provides prevention and education services for the community-at-large. 132 classes and workshops were offered, with 2,752 participants in attendance. 15 nutrition and 94 disease management sessions were held. 23 workshops (English/Spanish) for the Stanford University Chronic Disease Self-Management Program were offered with 237 participants -11 of whom are now trained as Workshop Leaders.

 

Caridad Center’s Vision Program is the only free vision program in Palm Beach County that also has access to tertiary care. 665 adults and 104 children were seen at 1,331 visits by seven volunteer ophthalmologists and one technician who provided ophthalmology services and education regarding eye health and injury prevention. Many of the patients suffered from eye ailments, due to excessive sun exposure. A major accomplishment in 2010 was the renovation of a surgical suite on-site, and 20 pterygium surgeries were performed.

 

The Caridad Center houses the largest free dental clinic in Palm Beach County providing preventive and restorative care and dental hygiene services through the volunteer efforts of 33 dentists, 16 dental assistants and 31 dental hygienists. Routine examinations, dental cleanings, extractions, fillings, other procedures and education about dental care were provided to 985 children and 2,226 adults through 6,157 visits to the dental clinic.

 

The Diabetes/Dental Program resulted in 768 patients being assessed for diabetic risk, of which 134 were referred to P.E.T. for further screening. 83 diagnosed diabetics were referred for dental evaluation, especially for risk of periodontal disease, and dental hygiene services.