Helping Hands
According to a 2015 study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly one in ten American adults is unable to afford their medications and, as a result, do not take them as prescribed. The poorest adults - those living below 139% of the poverty level - were found to be the group most likely to not take medication as prescribed due to financial limitations. This reality can have devastating effects on an individual’s health, and can lead to additional health care costs through hospitalization needed as a result of non-compliance with medications.
The Helping Hands Program at Swedish Hospital was created in 2014 to address this problem. Physicians in the Emergency Department found that they were treating the same patients over and over - that patients were returning to the ED after their initial emergency department visit, and they were even sicker because they were unable to afford the medication they had been prescribed.
Building upon other hospital models, the Helping Hands Program provides one-time assistance to patients in need. The program also provides education to patients on preventative medicine (such as inhaler for asthma), and the importance of completing the full course of medication prescribed.
Philanthropic support continues to play an important role in our ability to continue this important program. Contact Swedish Hospital Foundation to learn more about how your charitable gift will help make a difference for our patients.
Read more articles about Helping Hands.
Statistics
250+ uninsured ED patients received prescription medications since 2015
Patients are homeless, uninsured or undocumented and ineligible for public aid
Medicines include antibiotics, psychiatric drugs, maintenance medications, like blood pressure medication, and pain medication.
Average cost of medications is $100