NIHD press release

With the successful implementation of its new Substance Use Disorder program, Northern Inyo Healthcare District now finds itself needing to expand its patient care capacity.

With space at a premium, Dr. Kevin S. Flanigan, CEO for NIHD, decided to expand exam room space and services through additional telemedicine services. Dr. Flanigan said while office space is essential, it is far more critical that patients and their providers have adequate space for care delivery. The District then applied for a grant through The Center at Sierra Health Foundation to help furnish one of the current office spaces as a new telemedicine room.

Dr. Flanigan has repeatedly stated that success begets success. The adage held for both the success of increasing access to treatment, as well as gaining access to grant funds. Earlier this year NIHD was named one of 31 recipients for Bridge Grant funding. Those funds helped NIHD get its opioid use disorder treatment program off the ground. Now the success in receiving one grant has helped lead the way for the awarding of a second grant. This time money from the Sierra Health Foundation will allow NIHD to expand its clinical service by funding the purchase of exam room equipment and telehealth equipment. 

To date, NIHD providers have treated more than four dozen patients for substance use disorder. With the rapid growth of the program, already limited patient treatment space became even more limited. NIHD Leaders agreed that if they could find funding, they would convert office space into treatment space. With the new funds, NIHD will be able to see patients in a more appropriate and timely fashion.

Dr. Flanigan described the move as clearly necessary, stating that patient care always takes a front seat to office space needs for leadership.

The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, through the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Access Points Project, awarded more than $16.4 million to 120 organizations at more than 270 sites/access points throughout California. This funding will ensure that the delivery of MAT facilitates positive treatment outcomes, safe management of care transitions and long-term recovery for people with opioid and other substance use disorders.

###

About Northern Inyo Healthcare District: Founded in 1946, Northern Inyo Healthcare District features a 25-bed critical access hospital, a 24-hour emergency department, a primary care rural health clinic, a diagnostic imaging center, and clinics specializing in women’s health, orthopedics, internal medicine, pediatrics and allergies, general surgery, colorectal surgery, breast cancer surgery and urology. Continually striving to improve the health outcomes of those who rely on its services, Northern Inyo Healthcare District aims to improve our communities one life at a time. One team, one goal, your health.