Local community health center turns focus to community members with highest healthcare needs.

While the Governor of Pennsylvania has asked local nonessential businesses to close in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the doors of LCH (La Comunidad Hispana) remain open for acute care at all three of their locations in Kennett Square, West Grove, and Oxford.

“As other healthcare providers have closed their doors temporarily, we know that many people are struggling to find a place to go for the care they need,” said Mariana Izraelson, Psy.D., PMP, Chief Executive Officer. “If someone is sick and needs to see a provider, we want to be the local resource to address a patient’s concerns and provide care right away. By keeping our doors open for acute visits, we can help to minimize the potential bottle neck at the hospital and other emergency care centers.”

Federico Ceppa, MD, LCH’s Director of Primary Care, stated that the LCH team that is on the ground serving the community during the outbreak, has adjusted well to the changing information and workflows. “Updates are coming in rapidly from the Chester County Health Department and the CDC, and we are adapting our workflow daily to adhere to the new guidelines with safety as the number one priority—for both our patients and our staff,” he said. “This team has remained strong, stable, and professional. I am really proud.”

LCH has made several changes to services available as to best serve the community while minimizing risk. At this time, all routine visits, including outpatient psychotherapy, are being rescheduled to the beginning of April either on-site at LCH’s health centers or via telehealth. Here is the breakdown of the services available at LCH as of today:

Kennett Square

• Primary Care: Open to all individuals for acute visits only, including new patients.
• Pediatrics: Well child visits for ages two and under and acute visits only.
• Behavioral Health: Integrative care business as normal.
• Social Assistance: All visits are being done by phone. (610) 444-7550 X7.

Oxford

• Primary Care: Open to all individuals for acute visits only, including new patients.
• Behavioral Health: Integrative care business as normal.

West Grove

• Women’s Health: Limited to prenatal care and to care for patients with specific women’s health related concerns, such as:
  • STD screening/treatment/concern
  • Acute pelvic pain
  • Pregnancy testing
• Dental: Open to all individuals (children, adolescents and adults) in need of emergency care, including new patients, such as:
  • Severe dental pain
  • Third molar pain (wisdom teeth)
  • Abscess or bubble in the mouth
  • Swelling outside of the mouth
  • Broken teeth causing pain
  • Dental trauma due to injury
  • Any filling that are lost or broken and causing pain
  • Bleeding
• Social Assistance: All visits are being done by phone. (610) 444-7550 X7.

In order to minimize risk, any community members coming to LCH for services during the outbreak are encouraged to come alone. “I know this can be difficult to do, but it is important to have as few people in our waiting areas as possible,” said Dr. Izraelson. “If you are traveling with other family members or friends, ask them to drop you off and then return to pick you up. We are doing this with everyone’s best health interests in mind.”

As another way to minimize risk while still serving the community, LCH is now conducting all Social Assistance visits via telephone. “This is a very difficult time for many of our members,” said Betsy Quijano, Social Assistance Manager. “Our families need us more than ever. We will continue to be a resource and a community connector, even if we can’t meet in person.”  The Social Assistance team at LCH helps with a wide range of support services, from navigating the healthcare system to helping with insurance applications and public benefits, including unemployment applications.

Dr. Izraelson commented that LCH will continue to keep its doors open, “Despite these changes, we are here for the community. We will continue to stay open as a source of care and of reliable information during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Call LCH with questions or concerns about COVID-19 at (610) 444-7550. Visit https://lchcommunityhealth.org/contact-us for full listing of locations and hours across their three locations.