Explanation
This ordinance authorizes Columbus Public Health to enter into a grant agreement with The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute in support of efforts to enhance telehealth participation for sickle cell disease patients.
As telehealth quickly became a prominent mode of healthcare delivery because of Covid 19, an informal survey regarding telehealth access was conducted of 20 random sickle cell patients being seen during one week in clinic. Of those 20 individuals, 10 barriers were identified amongst 6 patients. The Ohio State Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center provides care for over 400 patients with sickle cell disease. The majority of these patients with established care at The James live in the Columbus area. These Columbus patients with identified barriers to access would be the targeted constituency group. A formalized screening would be developed to allow for systemic identification of barriers needing to be addressed. The program would allow development of a menu of options such as cell phone plans, internet hot spots, cards for pre-paid cell phone minutes, and cell phone enhancements to accommodate physical disabilities (hearing or visual impairments) with the goal of breaking down barriers to utilization of telehealth.
Measurements of success will include increased telehealth participation amongst participants especially as Covid 19 remains a threat to public health, decreased no show and appointment cancellation rates, and improved health outcomes related to rapid access to healthcare providers.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Health Operating Fund.
Emergency action is requested in order to avoid any delay in deploying resources to sickle cell disease patients to improve telehealth access.
Title
To authorize Columbus Public Health to enter into a grant agreement with The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute in support of efforts to enhance telehealth participation for sickle cell disease patients; to authorize an expenditure within the Health Operating Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($5,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth is quickly becoming a prominent mode for healthcare delivery; and
WHEREAS, there are barriers that exist for sickle cell disease patients to access critically-needed telehealth services; and
WHEREAS, this grant will be utilized to develop options for patients currently facing barriers, including internet access, cell phone connectivity, and services to accommodate physical disabilities; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily business of the city in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a grant agreement in order to avoid any delay in deploying resources to sickle cell disease patients to improve telehealth access; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That Columbus Public Health is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute in support of efforts to enhance telehealth participation for sickle cell disease patients.
SECTION 2. That in regard to the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $5,000.00 is hereby authorized within the Health Operating Fund, fund 2250, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.