THHS Mobile Medical Unit.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The Tribal Health and Human Services (THHS) recently purchased a Mobile Medical Unit, which will soon be available to serve the community for COVID testing and vaccinations.
The vehicle cost $240,000 and was purchased with grants from Indian Health Service and the Center for Disease Control’s funding for mitigating COVID. They applied for it back in June with much of the input from the providers and nursing staff.
“The idea came about because having a bunch of people in the clinic all at once is difficult to manage because it’s not big enough and having a centralized secondary location is beneficial to give the patients the care they need where they need it,” explained Sunny Stone, Diabetes Manager and QI Coordinator.
“What we wanted to do was to be able to provide care in a way that allows our patients to be closer to home and be able to make it to a location,” she said. “We thought of the idea of having a mobile clinic where we can go to the districts and activities.”
The unit is brand new and was specifically designed and built for the program’s needs. Some of the features include two entryways, handicap accessibility, custom storage cabinets, med fridge, med freezer, specimen fridge, restroom, waiting area and exam area.
Stone said they were thinking long-term when coming up with the design. She foresees utilizing the unit in the future by offering preventative treatment, like foot exams or to see patients in the field. It also has an awning on the outside and is equipped with electric, solar power, AC, heat and water. The outside design is representative of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and includes a scenic landscape as well as the caduceus emblem incorporating sage and sweetgrass to symbolize healing.
Elizabeth Moss, CHS Manager, said the mobile unit won’t be making home stops and doesn’t replace being seeing by a I.H.S. doctor at the clinic, or primary care provider. It will be utilized more at mass planned events.
The staff will be trained on operating the vehicle once they get the licensing and registration done.
Moss said she hopes the community appreciates the mobile unit and recognizes it.