Henry’s Groceries for Health

By Jamie Cetrone | Categories: | Comments Off on Henry’s Groceries for Health

Gleaners and Henry Ford Health System recognized an opportunity to improve the health of patients who are already high-risk clinically (multiple chronic conditions) and are screened positive for food insecurity. Case managers in three high-risk clinics screen patients for food insecurity and eligibility, and patients who accept enrollment in the program are offered a package of food (including fresh produce and frozen meats) every two weeks for six months. The pilot will enroll 300 patients total, with expansion based on success. Measures include ED visits, admissions, and readmissions experienced by the enrolled population.

The program scope includes the patients currently being seen in three Henry Ford Medical Group clinics across Southeast Michigan, including two in the City of Detroit. Case managers already support these clinics, so no new staff resources were required. Gleaners receives lists of patients to receive food deliveries (for patients at two of the clinics) or food pick-up (for patients in the third clinic). Funding is handled through existing Patient Needs Fund, covering the cost of the food and delivery for the patients.

HFHS Public Health Sciences assisted with the software to send patient information in a de-identified way to Gleaners. HFHS legal team assisted with ensuring a Business Associate Agreement. The Gleaners senior team meets with the HFHS program team weekly to track progress in the pilot.

The program launched in the three clinics on 11/15/17. As of 1/8/18, 575 patients have been assessed, of which 118 (20.5%) have been identified as food insecure. Some of these patients proved ineligible for the program due to extensive dietary restrictions, in-home cooking limitations, or family size, bringing the total eligible to 100 (17.5%). Of these, 100% have accepted the program, and only three have subsequently dis-enrolled for various reasons.