Mobile Vehicle News Blog

ACA Grant Ensures Access to Health Care
By: Evelyn Castillo

Nearly a year ago, Central City Community Health Center was awarded a grant through the Affordable Care Act to obtain a mobile medical clinic.  As the chosen vendor, Universal Specialty Vehicles, Inc. was given the opportunity to create a mobile vehicle that would meet all the clinic’s requirements.  The Affordable CareAct has issued several grant funds for the public since 2010 and has helped provide affordable health care services to more people nationwide.  

Working closely with the staff of Central City, USV was able to develop a floor plan that would provide functional space to perform necessary medical procedures.  The new clinic includes two exam rooms, a patient-intake area, ADA accessible restroom, galley area and a driver compartment. The two exam rooms have exam tables that will provide both comfort and easy accessibility to the patient.  The rear room hosts a wheelchair lift that will allow handicap patients to easily transport in and out of the vehicle in seconds.   The front exam room hosts a medical grade refrigerator that will store medications and other related items with security.  The ADA accessible restroom is located opposite of the galley area.  This part of the vehicle was constructed with sound absorbent walls and comes together with two accordion doors.  The patient intake area has bench seating and desk space for the staff of Central City to utilize while reviewing patient information.

Every single feature of this vehicle was customized to fit the expectations of the customer.  The driver compartment area is where the data/communications center is located.  This area also has two ultra-leather driver and passenger seats that can swivel, rotate and recline.  A complete wrap-around close off curtain completes this room. The exterior of the vehicle has one A&E Weather-Pro electric awning that extends to provide shade during the hot summer days.  The colorful vehicle graphic wrap was designed and installed by SoCal Wraps.  

The materials used to build this vehicle are innovative and sustainable to resist rugged environments.  The vehicle is going to be utilized in Orange County, primarily in low-income communities.  Central City Community Health believes that “all patients should be served regardless of ability to pay”.  With this new mobile clinic, Central City’s goal is to service more people within city limits.  Visit USV’s facebook page at: Facebook.com/USV1 for more pictures of this unit.  
You can also visit our website at: www.usv1.com

St. John’s provides mobile health care access
By: Natascha Calnon

  Founded in July of 1964, St John’s Well Child and Family Center was founded to respond to the dire need of clinics in southern Los Angeles. St. Johns is a non-profit organization that serves as a primary health source for over 140,000 poor or low-income residents.  St. Johns provides medical, dental, social, and mental health services in the most densely populated neighborhood in southern California.

  St John’s mission “to eliminated health disparities and to foster community well-being by providing and promoting the highest quality care in South Los Angeles,” has been a proud center for all of the projects they undertake. The center is proud of this mission to help create a social justice and equal health opportunities for all humans, fighting for the rights and care for those who are underserved and uninsured.
    

  St. John’s is now going to be more able to help those who need it, with the new Mobile Medical unit designed by Universal Specialty Vehicles. This new added mobility will allow them to provide health care access for those who may not be able to reach it. The “St. Johns Health Access Express” mobile health unit will go out into the field and provide outreach, enrollment and education services six days a week in Central and South Los Angeles. The unit will reach uninsured individuals and enroll those who qualify into public health insurance under the “Bridge to Reform” section 1115 waiver and link them to a medical home at one of St. John’s ten health centers. In Los Angeles County, this program is known as Health Way L.A. The “St. John’s Health Access Express” mobile health unit has the advantage of bringing culturally competent services directly to hard to reach individuals who typically are not interacting with the health care system due to transportation, language, cultural and social barriers Two of the six days the “St. John’s Health Access Express” will park at Homeboy Industries – located in downtown Los Angeles- and provide vital medical care , as well as health insurance enrollment and health screening/ education, for their employees and clients. These individuals, including both the employees and clients who are former gang members, typically forego prevention and primary care services due to the danger of crossing neighborhoods and gang boundaries to access healthcare.

  Given health care services shortages, transportation restrictions and other social and cultural barriers to health access in Los Angeles County, the need for a mobile clinic to enhance St. John’s services is vital. The “St John’s Health Access Express” has the opportunity to positively impact many under deserved communities through Central and South Los Angeles by bringing critical health services directly to the people who need them the most.

    Universal Specialty Vehicles has worked one on one with St. John’s representatives in order to give them a specially designed trailer that fits their exact needs. St. Johns new medical unit is a full 36 feet long from bumper to tongue. Their trailer has been designed in order to encompass three different rooms and even a waiting room. It will have two separate exam rooms each fully equipped. It will also have a Lab area and the entrance waiting area. St. John’s has specialized ADA accessible wheel chair lift, and restroom. This unit has Wilsonart countertops, two Wilsonart desks and special cabinets with positive secure door latches to keep contents in while driving. All overhead cabinets also have lockable storage as well.

  Their Follet Medical grade freezer will be available to hold any medical equipment that needs to be stored. Their front exam room will have a standard Enoch exam table with matching stool, stainless steel sinks, flip-up seat and fold down desk.  The center intake area is equipped with a bench seat for waiting, and encompasses.  The last room, the intake or waiting room is located directly in the heart of the unit. This entrance has power stairs and 2 desks for registration or paperwork. It also includes bench seats for patients waiting to be seated made from Veterans Vinyl.

This unit fully equipped and ready to serve its purpose for St. John’s. This added mobility will make St. John’s able to add extra care for those who are unable to seek medical attention because of various reasons. St. John’s is extremely excited for their new portable clinic and can’t wait till they begin using it. We here at USV cant wait to see it in action and know that it will be making a great contribution to the areas it will be serving. For questions or inquiries, please visit us at  www.usv1.com or www.facebook.com/usv1.

  Gila River Health Care is committed to providing professional health services to the American Indian Community. In 1968, Gila River launched their first clinic and has since developed other facilities to offer more services to their patients.  Gila River Health Care purchased a customized 38’ Mobile Medical Clinic from Universal Specialty Vehicles, Inc. The staff from Gila River Health Care received their vehicle earlier this week.  The staff is overjoyed with their purchase and cannot wait to put it to use! Universal Specialty Vehicles, Inc. worked closely with Rita Helton, Director of School Health Services for Gila River Health Care.  Building a vehicle from the chassis up can be a challenge but Helton was able to provide all the details on what she envisioned to be the ideal mobile clinic for the people they serve.

                
   The interior of the vehicle is made up of two exam rooms, a patient intake room, and galley area with an ADA accessible bathroom.  The rear exam room has a Slide-Out room that gives extra space for patient screening.  The rear exam room is equipped with a treatment exam table and Welch-Allyn Diagnostic Equipment.  The Ricon Wheelchair lift is also located in the rear exam room.  The front exam room has similar equipment installed including a Follet Medical Grade Refrigerator with keypad lock.  A unique feature of the front exam room is that it can be closed off by a set of Woodfold Commercial Accordion doors.  The exterior of the vehicle displays an A&E Weather-Pro Awning, large lockable storage compartments, a 30’ shore power hook-up  with electric power reel and an easy access hood for quick fluid check-ups.

   Gila River Health Care will be sure to enjoy their vehicle for many years to come.  The access and quality of health care being provided to the public is immense and greatly appreciated.  To view more pictures of Gila River Health Care’s new mobile medical clinic, visit us at Facebook.com/USVInc .

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Philanthropic Organization Creates More Opportunities!

Arkansas Family Health Foundation/ARcare is dedicated to providing quality health care to every individual.  The Foundation was founded in 1986 and has since expanded to thirty four locations.  The Foundation is a private non-profit corporation that services the public’s medical and dental needs regardless of their ability to pay.  A unique feature of the health foundation is that it has a transportation system available for use to all their patients.  

The Foundation developed a transportation system that assists with patient screening outside of the clinics.  Several vans are available to transport patients to their designated appointments throughout the week.  
Recently, Arkansas Family Health purchased a 38’ mobile medical clinic from Universal Specialty Vehicles, Inc. Delivery for the vehicle is underway within the next few weeks.  Arkansas Family Health is thrilled to have made this purchase and hopes to service more patients in the near future via their mobile clinic.  

The mobile clinic is equipped with the essential tools necessary to conduct patient screening.  The mobile clinic sits on a Freightliner MB-65 Front Engine chassis and is framed with steel.  The B-20 Bio-diesel engine is one of the few eco-friendly features in the vehicle.  The vehicle has a Ricon S-Series ADA Compliant Wheelchair lift that will create easier access for some patients.

The interior of the mobile clinic has Wilsonart countertops, cabinets and table tops with rubber edge molding.  There are two exam rooms in the vehicle and each hold an Enoch Exam Table with a matching doctor’s stool. Stainless steel sinks with attached faucets are also located in each exam room. The exam rooms are fully equipped with Welch-Allyn Integrated Diagnostic wall mounted systems.  The center of the vehicle has a 20” flat panel HDTV with DVD and is located on the driver’s side of the vehicle.  A vinyl bench with a drawer will be utilized as a reception area.  

The exterior of the vehicle has an A&E Weather-Pro electric awning and two entry/exit doors. Large lockable storage compartments can be accessed from the exterior of the vehicle to store bigger items such as folding tables and chairs.  Due to the cold Arkansas climate, insulated tanks were installed to keep the vehicle warm when necessary.  

Universal Specialty Vehicles, Inc. is excited to deliver this custom made vehicle that will help aid the people in need. Universal Specialty Vehicles, Inc. continues to deliver overall customer satisfaction.  For questions or inquiries, please visit their website at www.usv1.com.  

Become a fan of USV, Inc.

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Philanthropic Organization Creates More Opportunities!

Arkansas Family Health Foundation/ARcare is dedicated to providing quality health care to every individual.  The Foundation was founded in 1986 and has since expanded to thirty four locations.  The Foundation is a private non-profit corporation that services the public’s medical and dental needs regardless of their ability to pay.  A unique feature of the health foundation is that it has a transportation system available for use to all their patients.  

The Foundation developed a transportation system that assists with patient screening outside of the clinics.  Several vans are available to transport patients to their designated appointments throughout the week.  
Recently, Arkansas Family Health purchased a 38’ mobile medical clinic from Universal Specialty Vehicles, Inc. Delivery for the vehicle is underway within the next few weeks.  Arkansas Family Health is thrilled to have made this purchase and hopes to service more patients in the near future via their mobile clinic.  

The mobile clinic is equipped with the essential tools necessary to conduct patient screening.  The mobile clinic sits on a Freightliner MB-65 Front Engine chassis and is framed with steel.  The B-20 Bio-diesel engine is one of the few eco-friendly features in the vehicle.  The vehicle has a Ricon S-Series ADA Compliant Wheelchair lift that will create easier access for some patients.

The interior of the mobile clinic has Wilsonart countertops, cabinets and table tops with rubber edge molding.  There are two exam rooms in the vehicle and each hold an Enoch Exam Table with a matching doctor’s stool. Stainless steel sinks with attached faucets are also located in each exam room. The exam rooms are fully equipped with Welch-Allyn Integrated Diagnostic wall mounted systems.  The center of the vehicle has a 20” flat panel HDTV with DVD and is located on the driver’s side of the vehicle.  A vinyl bench with a drawer will be utilized as a reception area.  

The exterior of the vehicle has an A&E Weather-Pro electric awning and two entry/exit doors. Large lockable storage compartments can be accessed from the exterior of the vehicle to store bigger items such as folding tables and chairs.  Due to the cold Arkansas climate, insulated tanks were installed to keep the vehicle warm when necessary.  

Universal Specialty Vehicles, Inc. is excited to deliver this custom made vehicle that will help aid the people in need. Universal Specialty Vehicles, Inc. continues to deliver overall customer satisfaction.  For questions or inquiries, please visit their website at www.usv1.com.  

Become a fan of USV, Inc.

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Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless (ACHCHP) is a federally funded program that provides comprehensive primary medical and health care services to homeless people. ACHCHP provides services to thirty four sites in Alameda County, including a physical clinic in Oakland and a couple mobile medical clinics.

Since 1988, ACHCHP has done outstanding work in providing dental, medical and mental health care to homeless people. In addition, the program provides shelters, food, social and legal services and substance abuse treatments. Mobile Medical Clinics play a fundamental role in providing services for the homeless. In June 2011, Alameda County took delivery of a new 38’ Mobile Medical Clinic that was custom built for the program by Universal Specialty Vehicles, Inc. The vehicle will be operated by a group of professionals, including; nurse practitioners, medical assistants and support staff.

The new vehicle is equipped with several eco-friendly items, including Meganite Acrylic solid surface anti-bacterial countertops and Wilsonart Cabinets that are both Greenguard Certified. The mobile clinic contains floor mounted foot controls for water to each of the sinks on board. The pedals allow for water conservation and are more environment friendly. Overall, the vehicle is separated into three areas: the counseling, the lab/intake and Exam room. All these areas are essential for the staff on board to perform their duties.

The counseling area is used to perform private interviews. This area has an area wide enough to accommodate two confidential interviews at once. The Lab/Intake area is equipped with a centrifuge and tube holder, a water dispenser, phlebotomy chair including a table and curtain, and an all in one Printer/Fax/Copier. The Exam room where patients are treated includes a Power Procedure Exam Table (that can be used for Medical and Dental Exams) with foot pedals, a swivel exam table light, lockable cabinets, scale and adjustable chair. There are roughly 36 literature racks throughout the vehicle that display pamphlets with important reading information. One built-in 22” flat panel HDTV is displayed in the Center Intake room. A distinct touch throughout the vehicle is that there are clothes hooks in each room. Also, the vehicle contains a Ricon Wheelchair lift that is positioned at the curb side and an A&E Weather Pro Electric Awning with keychain remote control.

Nonetheless, Universal Specialty Vehicles, Inc. performed an outstanding job! USV took extra time in building the vehicle to make sure that all the medical equipment was situated where it could best be utilized. Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless Program was thrilled to finally have their vehicle and excited to put it to use.

For more information on how to make your organization mobile, give us a call at 951-943-7747. To see pictures of other units we have built, visit us on Facebook.com/USVInc or our website www.usv1.com.

On May 26, 2011 West Virginia’s public school, Spring Hill Elementary hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome a new 37’ Mobile Medical Clinic provided by the Children’s Health Fund to Marshall University’s West Virginia Children’s Health Care Project. Universal Specialty Vehicles, Inc. manufactured the vehicle. Company President, Mary Hall and company CFO, Andy Hall were among the attendees at the ceremony. Specialty mobile clinics are not unusual in West Virginia. In fact, the state had been operating health care services for over 20 years with the same mobile medical clinic. With the help of the Walmart Foundation, the Children’s Health fund was able to receive a grant to help provide medical care to communities situated in the fringe areas of West Virginia. The mobile clinic will be servicing the areas of Cabell, Wayne, Putnam, Lincoln and Mason counties. The vehicle will be traveling about three days a week to five different schools to provide health care to children and adults.

Dr. Isabel Pino, a Pediatrician and Medical Director of the West Virginia Children’s Health Fund Project, along with a specialized group of nurses and rotating resident staff from the Marshall University Medical Center will be conducting physicals and holding clinics for those in need. Universal Specialty Vehicles, Inc. worked with Dr. Isabel Pino and Wil Alvarez, Deputy Executive Director for the Children’s Health Fund, to make this project a rewarding one. Dr. Pino was in need of a vehicle that could travel over 300 miles per week to reach the deserted areas of the state. The older vehicle was not reliable and would often break down.

The 37’ clinic consists of two exam rooms to better serve patients. Both of the exam rooms are equipped with treatment tables, stainless steel sinks, and wall-mounted Welch-Allyn integrated systems. The vehicle also hosts a patient intake area that includes a 20” HDTV. A large vinyl bench with registrar desk and chair give the vehicle much more capacity and serves great as a waiting area. Two refrigerators are included in the vehicle, along with a medical-grade freezer used for vaccines. The Children’s Health fund was pleased with the final product and cannot wait to put the vehicle to use.

Universal Specialty Vehicles, Inc. was delighted to work with such a great staff. Everyone was cooperative and excited about this new edition to the project. Health care should be affordable and obtainable to everyone. The mission of this project is to ensure that “every child has comprehensive access to healthcare” and their new mobile clinic will bring just that. For inquiries, please contact Universal Specialty Vehicles, Inc. We can make you mobile too!

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For decades, City of Hope Cancer Research Center has been pioneering innovative forms of cancer research and treatment in Southern California.  From the development of synthetic human insulin to the standardization of the now traditional bone marrow transplant procedure, City of Hope has been at the front of the proverbial class in terms of developing new sources of treatment and research relating to cancer.

One integral aspect of that continual evolution of cancer treatment and research has been and always will be the search for blood donors and the development of blood donation outreach and procedures.  Whether it be for transfusions or purely for research relating to leukemia, having continual access to various blood sources has been paramount to City of Hope’s success as a cancer research institute.  Indeed, it is so integral that the campus just completed work on its LEED-certified  Michael Amini Transfusion Medicine Center.

However, a physical research center can only go so far in terms of stimulating donations.  Almost any blood donation center realizes that having a mobile outreach solution for blood donations is truly a key aspect of blood donation and research, and as such, City of Hope approached USV to create a comfortable, modern, and eco-friendly mobile blood mobile for this very mission.

As always, USV was more than prepared to meet the specifications and unique challenges presented by City of Hope.  From the need for five donor beds and two private history consultation areas within two slide-out rooms to the implementation of Green Guard-certified Meganite countertops throughout the unit, USV crafted a inviting-yet-medically-modern environment that ensured comfort for City of Hope’s patients and a sterile, reliable, and decidedly ergonomic environment for its employees and volunteers.

Moreover, USV worked closely with City of Hope to develop a first of its kind donation area expansion system through the use of our seamless extension slide-outs.  Where a normal donation space is usually hampered by an almost claustrophobic collection of donation chairs, donors, and medical personnel, USV worked to expand the donation area by way of our slide-outs and expand the available work space within the vehicle.  It is a simple concept in execution, but one that has not been implemented within the mobile specialty vehicle industry.  As such, one can once again see that USV is working with its customers and partners to innovate in ways that simply haven’t been seen in our industry.

Indeed, it has long been USV’s goals to craft such innovative environments for all of our customers, but in regards to our mobile blood mobile offerings, this unique balance between ensuring comfort for patients while also developing an ergonomic and environmentally friendly workspace represents for us, as a company and a culture, a continually evolving challenge.  Moreover, this very challenge has provided us with a sense of ultimate accomplishment by way of the knowledge that our blend of comfort and utility is unparalleled within the mobile specialty vehicle industry.

In closing, please feel free to peruse our various mobile blood donation center offerings and contact us with any inquiries you may have in relation to our crafting a solution similar to that of City of Hope for your hospital, clinic, research center, or university.

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On February 11, 2011 Universal Specialty Vehicles will be attending the 2011 Annual Health Care Symposium at the Hyatt Regency Resort in Huntington Beach, California.

This will be USV’s second time attending this symposium. We look forward to meeting fellow exhibitors and attendees. If you will be present at this event, please feel free to pay us a visit.

For more information on the 2011 Annual Health Care Symposium, please visit www.ccalac.org . 
We look forward to meeting you!

The Mobile Health Clinics Network is dedicated to providing health care advocacy and awareness to the public.  With over 200 organizations fostering the importance of healthcare, the MHCN is known to be among the most distinguished networks in the country.  On September 25th to 28th, 2010, MCHN hosted its’ annual forum in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Universal Specialty Vehicles, Inc.  was one of the many attendees that traveled south to be a part of this 4-day event.   Universal Specialty Vehicles, Inc. is a leading manufacturing company specializing in the production of custom-made mobile vehicles.    With cutting-edge technology, USV, Inc. has built mobile vehicles that have allowed the public to access healthcare even in the most extreme remote areas of the United States.

Many organizations are shifting to the “mobile clinic” trend because it allows their organization to branch out and make a difference.   USV, Inc. is pleased to be a part of a positive and innovative network that creates opportunities for everyone.  Attending the MHCN allowed its guests to not only gain knowledge of the future of healthcare but to experience the historic and cultural ambience that New Orleans has to offer.  The 2011 MHCN Forum will be hosted in Palm Springs, CA.

See you there!
For more information regarding Universal Specialty Vehicles, Inc. visit: www.usv1.com and for MHCN membership services visit: http://www.mobilehealthclinicsnetwork.org

CareMore started over 15 years ago as a Medical Group. The name “CareMore” represents the philosophy inspired by a proactive model of care with a caring touch and focus on wellness. CareMore evolved to serve seniors and continues today serving seniors as a Health Plan. The organization provides health plans for low-income seniors, people with chronic illnesses, and those living in skilled nursing facilities. CareMore Health Plan, Inc is based in California but has additional offices in Nevada and Arizona.