“We have to commend your team for the excellent job you are doing in monitoring Jamir’s diabetes. We have monitored him for years, and his A1C level is the best it has ever been. On another note, I should also share with you that this is the happiest we have ever seen Jamir.” ~Doctor of a Bonnie Brae resident
The Health office is best described as a mini “Urgent Care” type facility and is a 4 room infirmary that can accommodate 8 residents. There is a nurses’ station, treatment room, conference room, locked medication room, laundry room, and 2 physician offices. The Health Office staff includes: a Director of Nursing; Nursing Supervisor; four full-time Registered Nurses; one Mental Health Advanced Practice Nurse; a medical assistant; a medical secretary; a Registered Dietician; two drivers who bring residents to medical appointments; and a full-time Psychiatrist and contracted Pediatrician. Nurses counsel the boys in such areas as personal hygiene, infection control, diet, exercise, and growth and development. Increasingly, nurses monitor and provide counseling in the management of chronic care issues such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Our dietician provides nutritional services and education to staff, residents, and families on an on-going basis. Psychotropic medications are overseen by our Child Psychiatrist along with an Advanced Nurse Practitioner.
The philosophy of the Bonnie Brae Health Office is to create an environment where comprehensive medical services are provided that meet each individual’s health care needs while establishing an ongoing, trusting, and therapeutic relationship. Emphasis is placed on well-child care development, preventive health and serious medical concerns.
The Bonnie Brae Health Office delivers quality care in the following areas: Psychiatric services including comprehensive evaluations, monthly assessments and medication monitoring; pediatric services including annual physical examinations, immunizations and treatment of medical concerns; nursing services including assessments, medication administration, health education and coordinating health screens; and dietary services and nutritional assessments. Residents receive twice-yearly dental exams, annual eye exams, lab work and HIV testing, tuberculosis screening, flu vaccination, EKG testing, and consultations with specialists as needed. The Health Office staff works closely with a full range of specialists to provide optimal care for our boys. Additionally, the Health Office staff provides Occupational Health services for all staff and administers vaccines to ensure all staff are current with immunizations according to CDC standards.
Our Health Office team works to ensure that our young people’s health needs are monitored 24/7. In addition to triaging daily incidences of cuts and bruises, stomach aches and sore throats, the team monitors the special health needs and considerations of each and every one of the 115 boys in our care. 82% of our young men are on at least 1 medication, and most are on multiple medications. These medications have to be distributed at certain times each day, and this process and these boys require constant daily monitoring. To demonstrate, from January to June of 2014, our Health Office staff administered 57,960 doses of medicine. Additionally, our Health Office team advocates for our young men – setting up appointments with appropriate specialists as needed for optimum treatment and care.
Our staff has an impeccable record and reputation with outside physicians and specialists and have been recognized for their incredible medication management as it relates to pre-existing conditions, excellent psychopharmacologic care and for their ability to decrease the amount of psychotropic medications that our young people take – in 2016, 46% decreased their psychotropic meds, and an additional 21% were reduced to no psychotropic medications. This care is provided with an equal emphasis on personal care and concern. Being away from family is difficult for a young person who is sick or just “doesn’t feel good,” and our Health Office staff recognize this and provide the comfort many of these young men seek and need.
