Care-A-Van: A Mobile Health Clinic Serving Those in Need
Care-A-Van staff held their monthly immunization clinic a day early to allow for the upcoming holidays. During the busy clinic, Mary Svoboda, Care-A-Van's RN, noticed a 3 year old boy, in for his needed vaccinations, did not look well at all. He was very uncomfortable, was not moving his arm and had a bandage wrapped around his forearm.
His mother said he had fallen yesterday from a toy rocking horse. The family did not have insurance, MediCal or money so she took him to a local healer who massaged his arm, covered it in Bengay and wrapped it in a bandage.
Mary, a pediatric nurse, unwrapped and looked closely at his arm. His elbow was red and swollen. Concerned about a potentially serious fracture and infection she advised his parents to take him immediately to High Desert Health Services Urgent Care in Palmdale. Not having insurance, Jose Naranjo, Care-A-Van’s registrar, thought to pre-register the child for MediCal services through the Child Health and Disability Gateway program. He gave the young boy’s mother a card to inform Urgent Care staff that temporary MediCal coverage for her son was in place so that he could receive immediate care.
Two days later, Maria Altamirano, Care-A-Van's Special Programs Coordinator called the father to see how his brave little five year old was doing. He told her that the injury caused serious damage to his arm. After several hours in urgent care, he was transported to Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, and was in surgery at the exact time Maria called. The father was so appreciative of the dedication of Care-A-Van staff and thankful for their care. It was the loving attention of Mary Svoboda, RN that saved this little boy from very serious complications—and even possibly a life threatening infection.
Right people + right tools + right timing = 1 Miracle. Thank you to everyone who helps to make Care-A-Van possible.
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