PORT ANGELES — A flailing economy coupled with the closure of CliniCare has led to skyrocketing patient use of the Volunteers in Medicine of the Olympics clinic.
The free clinic, which provides medical care for those who have no other health care alternative, has seen a 30 percent increase in patient visits and a 13 percent increase in total patients since 2009.
In 2009, the clinic at 909 E. Georgiana St., saw 816 patients in 2,738 visits. That grew to 919 patients in 3,554 visits this year, according to the clinic’s annual report.
“The economy continues to put pressure on the local health care delivery system,” said Executive Director Larry Little.
“As a result, VIMO continues to be the safety net for the uninsured.
“Many people continue to have no health insurance, nor hope for obtaining insurance in the foreseeable future.”
Patty Hannah, the clinic’s volunteer coordinator, said that the closure of CliniCare in Port Angeles had propelled some patients to VIMO.
CliniCare, which allowed patients without insurance to pay an up-front fee and accepted patients on a walk-in basis, closed in late October.
“If they were going to CliniCare and had insurance they were able to move them over to the Jamestown or Elwha clinics, but some of those who didn’t came to VIMO, as they needed care,” Hannah said.
The rising numbers is a trend. Patient numbers also increased from 2008 to 2009, according to the annual report.
Overall from 2008 to 2010, the clinic has seen an 83 percent increase in visits — from 1,945 in 2008 to 3,554 in 2010.
The total patients has increased 28 percent — from 717 in 2008 to 919 in 2010.
The visitation has gone up partly because of increased services, Hannah said.
VIMO developed three new special clinics: hypertension chronic disease management, diabetes chronic disease management and behavioral health counseling.
Having patients attend the clinics helps open up more room for patients in the general medical area, Hannah said.
“We run out of room to accept new patients,” she said.
VIMO is working to developing other clinics as well, she said.
Expansion plans include improvements in chronic care clinics and enhanced mental health services.
The clinic employs three part-time staff. The 85 others who work at the clinic are volunteers, Hannah said.
With increased visits, though, there are also increased costs of supplies and other necessities, so VIMO also has increased its fundraising efforts.
The cost per patient for the entire year was $253, the annual report said.
“Care includes physical and mental health exams with follow up care, labs and X-rays provided by OMC, prescription assistance program and other services,” Little wrote in the report.
Donations increased by 30 percent — from $17,878 in 2009 to $23,236 in 2010 — and fundraising revenues increased from $29,561 to $33,842 in 2010, according to the annual report.
Fundraising had also tripled from 2008 to 2009, growing from $7,235 to $29,561 in 2009.
Hannah said the big boost in fundrasing came when the services clubs throughout Port Angeles began dedicating a week to raising funds for the clinic.
She said in 2010 the clinic had also had a significant number of donations in honor of Bob Boardman, who was a volunteer diabetes specialist for the clinic.
Boardman was killed Oct. 16 by a mountain goat in Olympic National Park.
The family requested donations in his honor go to VIMO.
Donations to the clinic can be made by designating a donation through United Way of Clallam County, by sending a check to VIMO, 909 E. Georgiana St., Port Angeles, WA 98362, or by visiting the website www.vimoclinic.org.
For more information, visit the clinic’s website or phone 360-457-4431.
