Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) - Capacity Building to Develop Standard Electronic Client Information Data Systems at the Bluegrass Care Clinic

The applicant organization, Bluegrass Care Clinic, is affiliated with the University of Kentucky Medical Center, and has served as the safety net for HIV primary care in 63 counties in central and eastern Kentucky since 1990. With the receipt of Ryan White Part C funds in 2001, the BCC increased the number and range of services to HIV-infected and HIV-affected persons. Board-certified infectious diseases physicians provide primary care service and also serve as ID consultants for hospitalized, HIV-infected persons. A patient service coordinator manages medical services. A team approach to care includes services of two HIV clinical pharmacists, a nutritionist, and a mental health counselor. Dental services are provided by the UK RW Dental Reimbursement Program. RW Part B Care Coordinators have been housed on-site since July 2006, and provide medical care management at all scheduled patient appointments, as well as on a walk-in basis. Of the patients served in 2008, 75% were Caucasian, 18% African American, and 6% Hispanic, 56% were below 200% of Poverty. Forty-eight of the 63 counties served (76%) are federally recognized as economically distressed.