Community

‘On the Road to a Healthier You’

JERSEY SHORE-- The "On the Road to a Healthier You" Geisinger Care Caps Bus makes blood work, imaging and necessary check-ups for individuals with diabetes "convenient," "educational" and helpful in "maximising their quality of life."

The bus, which is rather new according to Geisinger officials, is traveling to 19 different healthcare facilities and hospitals taking in around 50 patients per day according to Ann Mooney, optimization consultant for the Medicine Institute.

"The goal is early detection and prevention," she said. "This is a huge win for our patients."

She added that within the bus, patients can get their blood drawn as well as checking for diabetic retinopathy, checking for the possibility of blindness, and nephropathy, and checking the organs.

Before being seen by the care gaps nurses, the patients get their vitals checked, their height and weight as well as a COVID-19 screening.

"I wanted to see what it was all about," said Dorothy Hoffman. "I would say this is way more convenient."

In addition, the wellness team also provides educational tools and medical guidance about their medical needs.

"The care gap nurses are fantastic," Virginia Gavek, a performance innovation consultant, said. "It is all about community. Everyone has been so positive about it."

In addition, patients can also schedule their other lab work and screenings at the bus.

Geisinger officials said the bus is helping with the overwhelming need for diabetic care as there is an average of 500 new diabetes diagnosis per month.

"These guys need more care," Gavek added. "This makes it more apt for them to come and get checked out. It opens up the conversation that education is needed."

The nurses, phlebotomist and wellness team are all local Geisinger medical staff that the patients would be speaking to regularly within their community, keeping the communities close and the interactions at a minimum due to COVID-19.

The bus is also solar powered and included air-conditioning for the hot summer weather.

The last stop of this particular tour will be in August. If interested in an appointment, call your Geisinger Primary Care Physician.