Joint Base Lindsey Graham revamps walk-in contraceptive clinic
The clinic provides contraceptive and family planning counseling, same-day Intrauterine Device and Nexplanon placement or removal and screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.
Located on the first floor of the medical group’s primary care clinic, the Walk-In Contraceptive Clinic is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 to 11 a.m. Beneficiaries age 16 and older can receive care without an appointment, with active-duty service members receiving priority when demand is high.
The clinic’s revamp was prompted by a 16-month vacancy in the women’s health nurse practitioner position. During that time, Captain Alena Wroe, 628th Medical Group Healthcare Operations Squadron physician assistant, helped provide women’s health services while identifying ways to improve access to care.
“We are removing barriers to care,” said Wroe. “We're allowing them to get taken care of when they need to be taken care of without delay.”
As Wroe became more involved in women’s health care, she was asked to evaluate the walk-in clinic and identify ways to better meet beneficiary needs while maintaining access to other primary care services.
Wroe led the effort to revitalize the clinic, spending several months updating provider schedules, standard operating procedures, patient forms and training to establish dedicated capacity for walk-in contraceptive care.
Lt. Col. Donna Douglas, the 628th Medical Group Primary Care Flight commander, said Wroe’s work helped move the clinic beyond maintaining existing services and toward a more accessible model of care.
“She has been able to do a whole revitalization of the program and take something that we have been maintaining for so long to another level,” said Douglas.
Providing individualized contraceptive counseling based on a patient’s medical history and preferences, the clinic can meet health care needs. Patients can return for follow-up care as they determine which option works best for them.
For service members, timely access to reproductive health care can also support military readiness by helping them address their health care needs without unnecessary delays.
“Same day access allows us to provide care for our beneficiaries while also giving our providers an opportunity to sit down and discuss which method and which path is best for them based on their health care needs,” said Douglas.
For beneficiaries seeking contraceptive or family planning services, the Walk-In Contraceptive Clinic provides a flexible option to receive care without waiting for a scheduled appointment.
“Don't be afraid to come see us,” said Wroe. “We are here to meet your needs.”
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
