Page 84 - 2021 MHA Start-up Guide

Proposal: A statement of what you intend to achieve, how you intend to achieve it and what you
need in order to do so . A successful proposal for a mobile healthcare program should contain a
needs assessment, care or service delivery model and plan for sustainability and growth .

Red rule: Duties or practices that must be performed, without fail and without exception . Exam-
ples include performing a “time out” before an invasive procedure or two-step client identification
verification. These should be limited but thoroughly enforced.

Retrofitting: The addition of new technology or components to an existing vehicle . You may
choose to purchase a used mobile health vehicle or base vehicle and modify or retrofit it to in-
clude the clinical interior your program requires.

Return on investment (ROI): The benefits your parent organization or funder will receive in ex-
change for providing resources. ROI can take the form of financial savings, increased community
health or both. For example, reducing ER visits benefits both the community and a hospital sys-
tem .

Risk analysis: An assessment of hazards to your program’s success . A thorough risk analysis
belongs in your business plan and should include items like staffing, partnerships and more.

Tractor with fifth wheel and medical trailer: Vehicle such as a pickup trucks with specialized
trailers that can be up to 53 feet in length, may be designed with multiple slide outs and allow a
wide variety of internal configurations for medical or dental use.

Tractor with fifth wheel and trailer: Common trailers towed behind pickup trucks . While popular
for recreation and commercial use, it’s not optimal for medical use due to lack of a high floor level.

Travel trailer: Trailer-style units that are towed behind a truck or similarly powered vehicle . They
are often single level, come with up to three axles and can be as long as 40 feet . Travel trailers fall
into two categories: those below 4,000 pounds and those greater than 4,000 pounds .

Virtual private network (VPN): An option for wireless information security leveraging encryption
and authentication to maintain message integrity and privacy. Many healthcare systems require
a VPN to protect client data.

Wireless modem: A modem that connects to a wireless network without use of cables . Similar to
cell phones, a wireless modem is the most common type of internet connection in mobile health
vehicles .

8 2 MOBILE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM STAR T-UP GUIDE