2015 might be winding down, but there’s one part of MCN that shows no sign of slowing: Health Network. Our bridge case management system for mobile patients helps health centers and other institutions keep mobile patients in treatment as they migrate. The continuity of care service, which we provide free of charge, has grown by leaps and bounds in 2015 -- and that means more mobile patients were able to finish their treatments for ailments and health concerns like tuberculosis, cancer, and HIV/AIDS, and fewer patients were lost to follow-up at health centers around the country. We had so many successes that we had to pick just the top five ways that Health Network brought so many people back onto the path to health in 2015:

1. We closed out a record number of cases. Closed cases are an important indicator of our effectiveness. While some patients’ cases were closed because they were no longer migrating, many patients in Health Network had their cases closed because their treatment was successfully completed. Every clinic that enrolls a patient in Health Network receives an Outcome Report detailing the conditions under which the case was closed. In 2015, Health Network closed out 979 cases -- 30% higher than the previous record of 681 closed cases in 2013.  The percentage jump is due to increased capacity and a greater number of enrolled patients -- but the results are what’s exciting: more patients were able to continue care even though they were on the move. 

2. We created new tools for clinics. This year, we released a short video series to assist health centers in better understanding what Health Network is and how it works. The series, in English with Spanish subtitles, received stellar feedback. Also in 2015, Health Network began to offer regular case review calls with institutions juggling many Health Network cases. These regular calls assure that Health Network patient medical information is regularly and easily updated as Health Network receives records from around the world. Clinics are always welcomed to contact Ricardo Garay, Health Network Manager, to schedule in-depth trainings with clinics that are interested in using Health Network. These training can be done virtually and are a great way to get a site started with Health Network. 

3. Researchers found proof of Health Network’s cost effectiveness. Independent research done by Dr. Cynthia Tschampl and colleagues at The Heller School of Brandeis University demonstrated that Health Network’s bridge case management for latent tuberculosis is highly cost effective. 

4. We strengthened our Health Network team. As we added new Health Network associates, we also added more support for all associates, to increase team cohesion and to help associates best process the often trauma-filled and heartbreaking worlds of their patients. We also revamped the Health Network internship program, which increased capacity of Health Network overall and provides a meaningful, hands-on internship for local university students.

5. We increased our visibility. The benefits of Health Network for mobile patients were shared at health forums around the world, from the 46th Union World Conference on Lung Health in South Africa where we shared the successes of Health Network’s TBNet, to state controller’s meetings where we highlighted Health Network as both lifesaving and money-saving, to the year’s National Stream Forums and other national meetings where we showed how Health Network can assist health centers in creating a patient-centered medical home for mobile patients. We hope this outreach will continue to increase our patient enrollment so we can help even more patients in the future. 

A huge thank you to all of our clinician partners for your work in assuring that mobile patients don’t have to stop treatment just because they’re on the road. Thanks to our collective work, thousands of patients were able to stay in care. We look forward to continuing partnerships doing this important work in 2016! 

Happy Birthday to Health Network Manager, Ricardo Garay, and congratulations to all our Health Network associates for their successes this year!

Health Network is provided free of charge for patients and enrolling health centers. Support Health Network and all of our programs at Migrant Clinicians Network, between now and December 31st, and your donation will be doubled $1 for $1! Learn more here. 

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