Page 11 - Impact Report FY2020

HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS SUPPORT HOSPITAL AND COMMUNITY
Supporting Victims of Elder Abuse
It is estimated
that 10 percent
of older adults experience some form of elder abuse. To help prevent these crimes, the Department of
Justice, through its Office of Victims of Crime program, awarded a three-year grant totaling $375,000 to the Foundation’s Center for Healthier Communities to
help victims of elder abuse and financial exploitation. The grant funds the creation of a case review enhanced multidisciplinary team (E-MDT) who will identify victims, connect them with services specific to their needs, and restore their safety while a forensic process aims to
hold offenders accountable. The collaborative E-MDT
on this program includes the Center for Assault Treatment Services, Valley Care Community Consortium, Alzheimer’s Association, ONEgeneration, and a member from neuropsychology, law enforcement, and forensic accountancy professions. This team will aid professionals and community members in identifying and preventing elder abuse.
Fighting Human Trafficking
Human trafficking (HT) is modern day slavery. As the fastest growing criminal enterprise, it fuels a $150 billion industry. Sadly, HT victims who visit a hospital often go unidentified—even in our own community.
To effect change, Dignity Health has invested
over $1 million to train 4,000 staff members to recognize victims and provide trauma-informed care. By partnering with the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, Dignity Health hired a survivor to respond onsite to help victims at all four of our
Los Angeles-based hospitals, including Northridge Hospital. Once identified, HT victims receive help from the Center for Assault Treatment Services to begin living a normal life. What’s more, the Dignity Health Medical Safe Havens Program is being implemented at the Dignity Health Family Medicine Residency Program at Northridge Hospital to provide long-term, integrated care for HT survivors.
Preventing Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes through Interactive Engagement
Properly managing chronic
illnesses can save lives.
Thanks to a $181,680 grant
from the California Department
of Public Health, the Center
for Healthier Communities and the hospital’s Chronic Disease Transitional Care Program are partnering on the Prevention Forward Program which helps people with pre-diabetes, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. The program supports positive patient outcomes through self- management strategies including tracking blood pressure and glucose, participation in Nationally Accredited Lifestyle Change Classes, and Comprehensive Medication Management. Northridge Hospital offers Activate Your Heart,
an eight-week program, and the six week Diabetes Empowerment Education Program. Both programs offer cooking demonstrations, stress management techniques, grocery store tours, group exercise, and health screenings to help participants enjoy the benefits of a healthier, more energetic lifestyle.
Helping Substance
Abuse and Opioid
Addicted Patients
Through its Medication
Assisted Treatment (MAT) Access Points Project,
the Center at Sierra Health Foundation awarded a $67,500 grant to the Northridge Hospital Foundation
to help opioid addicted patients who present to the Emergency Department (ED) or hospital. Eight staff, including physicians, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants completed MAT Waiver Training and are initiating treatment in the ED or inpatient units. Led
by the Pain Management Team, they create and initiate a plan of care and then refer patients to outpatient or inpatient services. Inpatients with substance abuse issues are managed by a part-time nurse practitioner with a MAT waiver, while outpatients who receive MAT in the ED are provided with a warm handoff to a local treatment/detox center for continuum of care. The MAT Access Points Project is funded through the Department of Health Care Services’ California MAT Expansion Project and is administered by The Center at
Sierra Health Foundation. 11