A comprehensive review of Iowa State University’s student health clinic has found some problems.The 59-page report by Keeling & Associates looked at the organization, programs and services and operation of the Thielen Student Health Center.
“There are a lot of challenges identified in the report, many of them you know we are aware of,” said Martino Harmon, associate vice president Student Affairs and interim director of the Student Health Center.
The Health Center commissioned the review after the former director moved out of her position in September 2014.
“The timing was good before you bring in new leadership. It’s good to take a good assessment of where you are now,” said Harmon.
The report said the center suffers from a serious, chronic and corrosive lack of leadership as well as quality of care provided to students is at risk. One case cited was a potentially life-threatening case of an appendicitis that was not detected. Another student said a stress fracture went unnoticed by staff adding another six weeks to the student’s recovery.
Students that KCCI spoke to on campus Wednesday said they disagree with the report.
“I’ve never one had anything to complain about. I’ve always felt very taken care of there,” said ISU graduate student Samantha Barbour.
“I was excited actually believe it or not, I really thought well we have a road map, we have a document, we have information that will help guide us,” said Harmon.
REPORT DETAILS:
The report outlines 15 recommended areas for changes including the need for more staff, more space and more funding.
The report calls for an increase in student fees of $10 per semester to generate an additional $500,000 to make changes.
On the list, administrative staff positions including a call to get a new permanent director for the clinic in place by Jan. 1, 2016.
It calls for restoring quality improvement practices.
The report also suggests improving students’ access to clinic services by making more appointment slots available, having rooms to conduct appointments, staffing appointments with health care providers and adding more support services.
It suggests increasing clinic hours by staying open later in the afternoon and evening during weekdays.
The report says the expansion of hours will require additional staff.
“Iowa State should provide a far stronger, more visible and more effective portfolio of health promotion and prevention services for its students than now exists in TSHC,” reads the report.
It suggests adding more preventive services that could include an office and outreach locations in other campus buildings that have higher student traffic.
The report recommends adding a mental health services strategy that should include 20 or more mental health professionals.
When it comes to women’s’ health, the report calls for a “dedicated women’s health service with its own character, portfolio of clinical services, staff, approach and tone.”
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