Page 48 - 2021 MHA Start-up Guide

Starting Out
Three cardinal rules should underpin your transition from all of your planning work into the prac-
tical concerns of everyday operations. The first is do not buy any vehicle until you have a firm
idea of your care delivery model . Your care model and the clients you serve will inform the design
of your vehicle – does it need handicapped access for example or how will circulation work with
either one or two doors? So, resist any temptation to rush off to buy a vehicle before you know
how and for whom it will be used .

Secondly, after an informed selection process of your vehicle manufacturer, ensure you are con-
versant with all of the various vehicle types available in the market place . There is no substitute
for internal space but it comes at a cost; adding slideouts is a particularly good example here .
You also need to be conversant with the systems that support a mobile medical unit from on
board water and power to fire warning systems. Read the vehicle design section below carefully
and discuss the various options with your vendor . Know the items that are provided with the base
vehicle you design and those optional items with a separate price tag . They can soon add up .

And thirdly, ensure you are clear as to the operational requirements to operate safely, support
staff with clear procedures and protocols and to ensure the smooth running of the care delivery.

Once you’ve gotten your basic policies and procedures in place, it’s time to tackle operations .
From driver training through vehicle maintenance to marketing collateral, operations manage-
ment extends beyond the implementation period and into the everyday functioning of your Pro-
gram . Revisit your operations checklist every few months to update it based on learnings and
changes to your Program . Here are some critical elements to establish right away:

46 MOBILE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM STAR T-UP GUIDE