UHealth Donates Vital Signs Monitors to Three South Florida Clinics
The equipment allows the charitable clinics to devote more resources to caring for South Florida’s vulnerable, underserved patient population.
UHealth — University of Miami Health System recently donated 17 Philips vital signs monitors to three local clinics that provide health care to the most vulnerable. The donation ties into UHealth’s mission to “promote the health and well-being of our community.”
“This was an opportunity for us to give back by strengthening the capacity of free clinics to care for our underserved neighbors,” said Maura Shiffman, M.P.H., assistant vice president of ambulatory operations, who proposed the idea of donating the equipment.
Finding a Use for Needed Medical Equipment
UHealth initially planned to place the monitors in storage as they worked to unify equipment across clinic sites. Once Shiffman discovered they were still functional, she contacted the Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, which provides health care for uninsured, low-income communities.
Three member clinics—Dade County Street Response, Light of the World Clinic and Universal Heritage Institute (UHI)—were looking for monitors.
“Additional machines will help the clinics enhance their workflows, so they can see more patients,” said Shiffman. “Many of their patients fear the health care system, so it is important to find ways to better their health in their own communities and places they feel safe.”
Charitable Clinics Benefit from UHealth Donation
Dade County Street Response will primarily use the five monitors to serve its urgent care patients. Since the equipment is compact, lightweight and portable, they also plan to use it during large community events and during disasters like hurricanes.
“Every piece of equipment we buy is very expensive and cuts into our ability to serve our patients,” said Armen Henderson, M.D., Dade County Street Response director of community engagement and a hospitalist and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “The donation fulfills UHealth’s commitment to patients both inside and outside of the hospital. It also improves the learning environment for the students and residents who work at the clinic and makes it easier for them to serve our patients.”
Light of the World Clinic had been experiencing problems with its monitors that prevented timely patient appointments. The delivery of six monitors was well-timed.
“We are grateful for this donation,” said Sandra Lozano Barry, president and CEO of Light of the World Clinic. “It will give us accurate and timely patient vitals that will enable our volunteer medical staff and providers to properly care and treat our patients.”
With the addition of six machines, UHI will now have one in each of its examination rooms. The donation strengthens UHI’s existing relationship with UHealth. For the past 10 years, the clinic has referred patients who want to stop smoking or using tobacco products to the Miller School, which provides counseling and medication to help them quit.
“As a nonprofit organization, we are always grateful for any gifts or donations we receive that help save our limited resources,” said Shabbir Motorwala, UHI founding member and outreach coordinator. “Without UHI’s help, many of our patients would turn to emergency rooms for non-emergency care, at a high cost to themselves and the healthcare system.”
Shiffman says UHealth is establishing a protocol for future donations.
“We look forward to this being just the starting point for a long-lasting, impactful initiative for the health system,” said Shiffman.