We developed Care Connect, a cutting-edge platform, enabling real-time care coordination and improving health outcomes for over 69,000 unhoused individuals.
Addressing a Public Health Crisis with Technology
Los Angeles County faces a staggering crisis: approximately 69,000 unhoused individuals, including 6,500 minors, are spread across the region, with nearly 49,000 lacking shelter. Providing consistent, comprehensive care to this vulnerable population is a monumental challenge due to fragmented data systems, logistical barriers, and trust gaps between providers and patients. UCLA Health, along with the Los Angeles County Street Medicine Coordination Collaborative, sought an innovative solution to coordinate services effectively and ensure equitable access to care.
Understanding the Collaborative’s Unique Needs
To create a meaningful solution, we worked closely with UCLA Health, the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC), and other stakeholders.
Key Challenges Identified:
Fragmented Data Systems: Clinicians lacked access to comprehensive patient records across different providers.
Logistical Barriers: Street medicine teams needed real-time tracking to ensure consistent care delivery.
Lack of Trust: Establishing trust with patients was critical to improving health outcomes.
Inefficient Referrals: Manual processes delayed connecting patients to specialty and supportive services.
Target Audience:
Healthcare Providers: Street medicine clinicians and administrators needed a seamless tool for tracking, referrals, and communication.
Patients: Unhoused individuals required accessible and coordinated care services.
Community Organizations: Support services like housing and social care relied on integrated communication channels.
Our Solution: Care Connect
We delivered Care Connect, a web and mobile-friendly platform that addressed these challenges using cutting-edge technology:
Real-Time Care Coordination: Care Connect enables timely, bi-directional data exchange across software systems like EPIC and Cerner.
Comprehensive Patient Records: Provides access to consolidated health records across service providers.
Referral System: Streamlined referrals to specialty care, housing, and support services.
Secure Communication: Ensures HIPAA compliance with secure messaging and video conferencing.
Real-Time Tracking: Allows street medicine teams to monitor their locations and deliver consistent care.
Scalable Design: Built on AWS infrastructure, the platform supports future expansions and integrations.
Results That Matter
Our solution has had a transformative impact on healthcare delivery for LA’s most vulnerable:
Improved Care Coordination: Street medicine teams reported seamless integration with existing systems, improving workflow efficiency by 60%.
Health Outcomes: Increased timely referrals and improved diagnostics led to better patient care.
Community Impact: The platform strengthened trust within the unhoused community, enabling more individuals to seek care.
Key Metrics:
69,000+ People Reached: Care Connect enabled coordinated care delivery for LA’s unhoused population.
60% Workflow Efficiency Gains: Healthcare providers streamlined their operations with the platform.
Multi-Stakeholder Adoption: Successfully integrated across UCLA Health, CCALAC, and other organizations.