The Rock River Community Clinic (RRCC) in Whitewater hosted last month a gathering of donors responsible for helping it obtain a common Electronic Medical Record System (EMR).
The new system brought clinics within an established network together through a connected system, providing better efficiency and continuity, according to a recent press release from RRCC.
One of the clinics had been using paper medical records since its inception and the other two were operating on different electronic formats, which made it difficult to coordinate care between clinics, the release stated.
Although RRCC had received monies from a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) — an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — to help with the migration to the common electronic environment, the organization was still in need of additional funding.
Thanks to the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation, the Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation, and Whitewater residents Jim and Julie Caldwell, the project was completed, the release noted.
During the June 16 event, donors were invited to tour the health clinic and witness the efficiency that was made possible through this critical donation, the release continued.
The three-year HRSA grant totals $900,000 and is managed by the Rock River Community Health Network (RRHCN). The purpose of RRHCN is to increase health equity in Jefferson and Dodge counties, specifically focusing on access for low-income individuals to primary care through a value-based approach that provides improved care and health at a lower cost. The program looks to focus on bringing access to those who are both uninsured and underinsured.
The RRHCN’s overarching project goals are to: 1) improve the quality, coordination and cost of health care services; 2) increase community member access to health care services, and 3) improve health outcomes for the population through strengthened and expanded services through the newly established RRCC.
The RRHCN is comprised of seven local organizations that have a long history of collaboration, and include Fort HealthCare, Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation, Jefferson County, Rainbow Hospice, RRCC, Watertown Health Department, and Watertown Regional Medical Center, the release stated.
About RRCC
According to the release: On January 1, 2020, three existing clinics for the underserved in Jefferson and Dodge counties merged to form Rock River Community Clinic. They are Community Dental Clinic in Fort Atkinson, Rock River Free Clinic in Jefferson and Watertown Area Cares Clinic. The clinics joined together to better serve the area’s most vulnerable populations.
With the merger came the realization that there was a big need for another clinic in the Whitewater area, so despite the effects of the pandemic, RRCC moved forward with the addition of a fourth clinic that opened in July of 2020, offering much needed healthcare to Whitewater and the surrounding area. RRCC offers health and dental care to the uninsured and underinsured in the area with an income of less than 200% of the federal poverty level. The dedicated team at all RRCC locations provides high-quality, compassionate and comprehensive care to every patient. The cost of services is based on a sliding fee scale.
RRCC believes that helping patients manage chronic disease and oral healthcare to live healthier lives creates a healthier community.
Those with questions regarding RRCC or its network, may contact Jeaunetta at the Watertown Clinic: 920-206-7797.
Jazmine Hartmann, referral coordinator at the Rock River Community Clinic, at left, and Shawn Skurky, a registered nurse, access patient information using the organization’s new electronic medical record system. The system was made possible with funding received from a Federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant, the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation, the Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation and Whitewater residents Jim and Julie Caldwell. Photo submitted.
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