The Visiting Nurse Association brought mobile health clinic "Health Care on Wheels" back to Vero Beach, Fla. after a six-month hiatus, according to TCPalm.com.
In June, the van moved near the Indian River Medical Center emergency department in Vero Beach to reduce ED visits for patients with less serious injuries. However, the number of patients using the van decreased significantly because it was not providing care close to where patients lived.
Putting the mobile health clinic on hiatus allowed the VNA to better understand how to expand the van's use in the community, said Lisa Sellers, MSN, head of the mobile van program.
VNA registered nurse practitioners on board the van treat patients for minor medical care twice a week in South Vero Beach and once a week in a nearby park.
"Now that we're out in the community again, we expect those numbers to increase," said Erik Kolacinski, CEO of the Vero Beach VNA.
The VNA is also in the process of obtaining a Medicaid number so a greater number of low-income patients can receive treatment via van, Mr. Kolacinski said.
The VNA expects to expand the van's schedule of operations over the next few months.