Page 83 - 2021 MHA Start-up Guide

Mobile health vehicle: A vehicle that provides healthcare to specific populations outside the
brick-and-mortar walls of a clinic or hospital . Mobile health vehicles come in many shapes and
sizes and offer a variety of onboard services, including physical exams, screening, counseling
and more .
Mobile Healthcare Association: A nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and serving the
Mobile Healthcare sector through advocacy, education and research in order to increase access
to care for all . (mobilehca .org)

Mobile healthcare: A sector within healthcare that focuses on outbound care for communities
underserved by traditional healthcare institutions .

Needs assessment: An analysis of current gaps in patient care and why these gaps exist . Pro-
viding a needs assessment will help clarify your business case and showcase the key areas your
program will seek to improve .

Operating margins: Similar to profit, your margin is the financial cushion available for emergency
expenditures or maintaining service in case of loss of funding . A margin of 20 percent or less may
put your program at risk of service interruptions .

Option appraisal: A rough outline of the costs and benefits of executing a full mobile healthcare
program . An option appraisal helps identify must-haves and is a key component of a successful
business plan .

Over-the-road: Transportation between cities or states . For mobile health programs, over-the-
road considerations cover everything from driver licensing and training to expense tracking while
traveling between sites .

Parent organization: The hospital, clinic or other institution under which your mobile healthcare
program operates . Often, your program’s mission and policies must align in some way with those
of your parent organization . Parent organizations may or may not provide funding for your pro-
gram, but will require a business plan, regardless.

Partner organization: A community group, school, faith-based organization or other entity that
can provide access to the population you wish to serve . Partner organizations often also provide
marketing and public relations and logistical services in support of mobile healthcare programs .
A thorough vetting of potential partner organizations and the drafting of an MOU are recommend-
ed before entering any formal relationship .

Policy: Documented direction for actions to be taken in a given situation . Clearly written policies
can help direct staff to the right person or resource when challenging situations arise.

Pre-trip checklist: A list of vehicle parts to inspect prior to every trip . Pre-trip checklists typically
cover the exterior, interior, generator and under the hood of the vehicle .
Procedure: Documented steps a staff member should take — and when they should take them
— in order to deliver consistent outcomes . For example, clear procedures for updating client re-
cords can prevent data loss and ensure quality care.

MOBILE HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION 8 1