Nurse on Call Program

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

Recent events have created challenges that necessitated a change in the way that Public Health responded to the needs of the community. The economic downturn created a cohort of uninsured people who now needed access to affordable health services and other services. Widespread flooding in Southeast Michigan in 2014 demonstrated a need for reliable health information about safety, housing, resources and safe food and water. Disease outbreaks, such as measles, have sparked a need for information for all ages and socioeconomic groups about preventing, recognizing and treating communicable illnesses. In view of these challenges, the Oakland County Nurse on Call Program was marketed to respond to an increased need in the community for assistance. The Nurse on Call Program serves consumers, professionals, schools and businesses by providing health and general information, community resources and referrals. The program’s goal is to provide information that will assist the client to access the services that they need. The program received an average of 17,001 calls per year between 2010 and 2014. The use of a call distribution phone system and the implementation of an online database enable Public Health Nurses who staff the call center to meet the increased need for information by the public due to recent economic and pandemic events.