FORT DRUM, N.Y. (WWTI) – Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization and North Country Initiative recently donated nearly 1,300 thermometers to six local pediatric health centers in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties.
The donation of the thermometers is part of an on-going effort by FDRHPO and NCI for the purpose of funding remote patient monitoring devices, to expand work within digital inclusion for patients, as well as part of the “Call Us First Campaign” which aims at limiting avoidable emergency department visits by encouraging patients to contact their primary care team first for minor acute concerns.
Each thermometer has a label with the name and phone number of the primary care practice. As Patient-Centered Medical Homes, the practices have 24/7 triage lines that patients can call and receive medical advice, including to set up a same-day or next-day primary care appointment if needed.NCI DEPUTY DIRECTOR JOANNA LOOMIS
The thermometers were donated to six healthcare centers and placed on display and distributed for free to patients as they visit their primary healthcare providers.
FDRHPO works together with NCI, whose mission is to work in partnership with hospitals, independent physicians and community providers to improve the healthcare system across northern New York’s Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.