NYC Street Medicine Program Adds Point-of-Care Labs, Ultrasound

NYC Health + Hospitals’ Street Health Outreach + Wellness (SHOW) mobile program has added point-of-care lab testing (POCT), point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), and blood draw services onboard its five mobile health units.

The SHOW program deploys a fleet of five mobile health units across New York City to meet unhoused and street homeless New Yorkers.

Access is provided in real-time, with no appointments needed, no insurance requirements, and no cost to the patient. Since the program launched in April 2021, SHOW teams have provided over 275,000 engagements with New Yorkers, connecting patients to specialty, harm reduction, social services, and primary care at the public hospital system’s five Primary Care Safety Net (PCSN) clinics.

The new medical services will improve SHOW teams’ ability to evaluate and manage patient needs and reduce barriers to critically needed care. 

“Street medicine is all about being able to provide high yield medical services in that moment of engagement,” said SHOW Medical Director and Medical Director and Co-Founder of NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Primary Care Safety Net Clinic Yinan Lan, M.D., in a statement. “These effective engagement moments can lead to years of healthcare continuity, making the difference in someone’s health trajectory in life. The point-of-care ultrasounds allow us to extend our physical exam tools far beyond the traditional scope in making these street medicine moments impactful.”

With the expansion of POCT labs, blood draw labs, and POCUS onboard all SHOW mobile units, clinicians will have enhanced capacities to evaluate, diagnose, and manage patient care wherever patients want to receive that care. Available POCT lab tests include COVID-19, HIV, A1c, blood glucose, and Hepatitis C. Blood draw labs include an array of tests, including a basic metabolic panel, HIV, Hep C confirmatory testing, and more, and are sent to NYC Health + Hospitals’ lab partner for analysis.

In addition, POCUS services will enhance clinicians’ physical examination and enable a more comprehensive physical assessment. Using a handheld probe and tablet, clinicians will be able to scan for concerns such as skin and soft tissue injuries, bladder, and lung function. With this service enhancement, the level of comprehensive primary care that patients have in a clinic can be provided on the SHOW unit or even the street.

“These new services allow for a more comprehensive assessment and diagnosis for our patients, just like we do in the hospital setting, which can save our patients time, money, anxiety, and lives, added System Chief, Strategy & Special Projects for NYC Health + Hospitals Clinical Services Operations Leon Boudourakis, M.D., M.H.S., in a statement.