The eConsult Geriatrics Community Resources Portal is a source for MHLA providers to connect our older participants to community resources such as Wellness and Disease Management, Food and Nutrition, Employment, Housing and Financial programs.  And, though the MHLA geriatric population (55+) represents over 25% of our enrollment, the use of the portal has historically been modest.

Pilot Project:  Beginning March 2021, Northeast Valley Health Corporation staff members have been collaborating with UCLA medical students to bring awareness to and increase utilization of the Portal.  The pilot project was called the Geri eConsult Quality Improvement Project.  Led by Dr. Heather Schickedanz, Chair, Department of Family Medicine Harbor-UCLA and Co-Chair, LA County Health Agency Geriatrics Workgroup, the project provided eConsult users the option to refer older patients to a Geriatrics Navigator (i.e., medical students Andreé Franco-Vásquez and Miriam Ramos). Once an eConsult was initiated, the Navigator called the patient and provided resources and navigation support in English or Spanish.

Results: The Geri eConsult Pilot Team received a total of 15 referrals.  Most referrals were for Food and Nutrition, Financial Services, Wellness Disease Management, Transportation, Care Giver Support and In-Home Support.  Eighty percent of referrals were from female participants, 80% were over 80 years old and all indicated their preferred language as Spanish.

Continued Integration:  The Geriatrics Community Resources Portal continues to allow all MHLA providers to review resources directly.  MHLA continues to explore additional strategies with DHS specialty care leadership to encourage ongoing integration of portal resources by MHLA providers.