FCHC proactively responded to community needs by converting to Rural Emergency Hospital licensure to sustain access to emergency care and its primary care clinics.
Primary recommendations based on stakeholders and public data sources:
1. Collaborative Community Network to Address Social Determinants of Health
Opportunities identified in the CHNA are related to social and environmental conditions that extend beyond the scope of FCHC and medical providers. Education, employment, housing, access to food, public utility and environmental services, transportation, public safety, faith and spirituality, and recreation, all factor into the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
Safe, reliable community water sources were repeatedly cited as the #1 deficiency impacting all aspects of life and health in Marlin, both consumer and commercial. Lack of employment opportunities paying livable wages is believed to be causing younger families to leave the County, impacting schools, healthcare, employment and housing development, and other social factors.
Access to nutritious foods is an important component of personal and community health and the availability of safe and affordable housing was cited as an issue adversely impacting growth, health and sustainability of essential community services.
FCHC will continue to partner with a collaborative network of diverse community partners whose interests, objectives, and experiences align to identify and see improvement to issues impacting community health and wellbeing.
2. Primary and Specialty Physician Access
FCHC has focused on primary care recruitment in all three Rural Health Clinics located in Marlin, Rosebud and Bremond. Local access to primary care, emergency and specialty providers is a high priority need expressed by community focus groups. FCHC is also working with regional providers to expand local access to specialty providers in addition to Cardiology services already being provided.
3. EMS Ambulance Services
EMS services continue to be contracted by Falls County Emergency Services Districts. FCHC provides parking for the ambulances. At this time adding another ambulance to Falls County is cost prohibitive for Falls County. FCHC continues to work in conjunction with Falls County for EMS services.
4. Community Health Education, Outreach, and Collaboration
Falls Community Hospital continues to provide school physicals at school districts in Falls County. FCHC will continue to work with local school districts to identify and expand the choices of Career Technology for students, including health careers and other skilled service occupations including Certified Nursing Aid programs and other health occupations. The focus will be specifically on expanding primary care access to students, especially those who qualify for Medicaid or other medically underserved programs, benefiting both the patient, family unit and rural health clinics.
Efforts will continue to integrate chronic disease management and education into the primary clinics with a focus on self-management of chronic health issues like diabetes, hypertension and COPD and CHF. Education and outreach programs will be offered locally such as Senior Centers, churches and other places where people naturally congregate. The hospital will promote hospital and clinic services, health, and wellness education using various social media platforms to expand communication.
In addition, FCHC is collaborating with Falls County Ag Extension office, Communities in Schools, and other agencies to participate in joint events promoting health and wellness. These events will include FCHC Health Fair, Marlin National Night Out, Marlin 4th of July Celebration.
5. Mental Health and Drug Abuse
Falls Community Hospital has partnered with the local Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network through a grant to provide mental health assessments for patients in Marlin. The clinician is located in the Marlin RHC and works collaboratively with providers to aid in mental health assessments as well and patient navigation to help patients find appropriate mental healthcare to meet their needs.
The goal is to pursue a holistic approach by integrating mental health services into the primary care rural health clinics to improve coordination and communication with the patient’s primary care provider and break down stigmas and other barriers to encourage patients to improve participation and compliance. Telehealth will continue to be utilized through the partnership with the hospital’s Psychologist.
6. Chronic Disease Self-Management
Marlin RHC’s physicians are implementing new programs to educate patients during their visit and training providers and staff on the importance of patient education. Pulmonology, Wound Care and Mental Health were the most cited specialty needs not currently available. The goal is to identify and prioritize current health issues that negatively impact community health and identify contributing causes to these issues.
7. Dental Services Access
FCHC has partnered with a mobile dental unit that travels to Marlin on a scheduled basis offering services to low-income residents who qualify based on income. In addition, FCHC has clinic space available that could be leased to dental providers to expand services to all citizens of Marlin and the surrounding communities.
8. Water
Due to the catastrophic water disaster in Marlin, the City of Marlin, partnering with state and federal agencies, is constantly working to make upgrades to the water system in Marlin. FCHC representatives are attending city water meetings to stay up to date on improvements and current conditions. FCHC maintains water (potable and non-potable) for emergency outages and continues to aid the community during times or water outages.
EMS services are contracted by Falls County. FCHC provides parking for the ambulances. At this time adding another ambulance to Falls County is cost prohibitive for Falls County. FCHC is looking into options through collaboration with other Falls County offices, grants, and/or other means to improve the EMS service in Falls County.
Falls Community Hospital is providing school physicals at school districts in Falls County. FCHC has received several grants to promote health and vaccine awareness and is utilizing the funds to provide education and build vaccine confidence. In addition, FCHC is collaborating with Falls County Ag Extension office, Communities in Schools, and other agencies to participate in joint events promoting health and wellness. These events will include FCHC Health Fair, Marlin National Night Out, Marlin 4th of July Celebration.
Falls Community Hospital has partnered with Texas A&M to provide free behavioral health services through telemedicine at our clinic in Rosebud. Additionally, Mayor Lofton, who is a licensed counselor, has been contracted with FCHC to provide outreach services to patients in need.
Marlin RHC’s physicians are implementing new programs to educate patients during their visit and training providers and staff on the importance of patient education.
Falls Community Hospital has created new policies regarding administration of narcotics and pain management.
The City of Marlin is constantly working to make upgrades to the water system in Marlin. FCHC representatives are attending city water meetings to stay up to date on improvements and current conditions. FCHC maintains water (potable and non-potable) for emergency outages.