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Medical Services
Desert Senita employs a team of family practice physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners who see patients of all ages. They are open to take new patients and are available for physicals (including CDL and sports physicals), well-child exams, well-woman care such as annual Pap exams and other screenings, and provide continuity care to those patients with chronic medical problems such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Of course, Desert Senita providers also see patients for acute illnesses and injuries, including for such common things as the flu or for treatment of lacerations (cuts). Our family practice providers work closely with dental, behavioral health, and health education staff to provide the most comprehensive care possible to those patients that have medical problems such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, and elevated cholesterol.
Some additional services provided by Desert Senita include minor surgery such as removals and referrals to specialty care. Desert Senita also has a limited number of visiting specialists who come to the health center to provide specialty care on-site. Currently Desert Senita hosts a visiting cardiologist and podiatrist once a month, and also has ultrasound services available approximately twice per month.
Dental Services
Desert Senita Dental Center offers a full array of dental services to meet the diverse needs of all patients, both children and adults. We understand that for many patients, it has been a long time since they have seen a dentist, and in some cases some people have never been to a dentist! Our kind, compassionate staff will help you understand what your treatment needs are, and looks forward to helping you achieve good oral health.
In 2009, we opened our state-of-the-art, 6-chair facility, where we provide a full range of services which include preventative, restorative, major dental care (including simple oral surgery, crowns, bridges, and dentures), as well as emergency care. Currently Desert Senita dental staff are undergoing Invisalign certification and hope to begin offering that service to our patients by Fall 2010.
We welcome new patients, and both established and new patients should call (520) 387-4500 to schedule routine preventative oral health care as well as for any dental emergencies. Dental center staff will assist patients in scheduling all other types of appointments according to the treatment plan outlined by the Desert Senita dentists.
Behavioral Health Services
Behavioral health services are provided at the medical facility site by a behavioral health clinician team utilizing the integrated service delivery model. This model encourages the collaboration of behavioral health staff with medical and dental professional staff members to work with individuals and families to educate, treat, and empower patients in their behavioral and overall health care. Behavioral health care is provided a comfortable environment by our well-trained, professional staff, conveniently located within the medical facility site.
Behavioral health staff currently provide counseling services for depression, anxiety, stress, and other conditions. Some limited traditional counseling services are available, although 90% of the counseling services provided are generally provided under the integrated service delivery model. Desert Senita does contract with a limited number of private insurance plans to provide traditional counseling services.
For participants in the AHCCCS (Medicaid) program, the State of Arizona contracts with a county-based Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA) for traditional counseling, case management services, and for services for Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI) patients. AHCCCS members who reside in Ajo and who may be in need of these services should contact the local RBHA, Project PPEP, to complete the eligibility and registration process to receive services from Project PPEP in Ajo. The local Ajo phone number for Project PPEP is (520) 387-5232.
For crisis situations, please call the Southern Arizona Mental Health Center (SAMHC) crisis line at (800) 796-6762.
Education and Outreach Programs and Services
In additional to the variety of medical, dental, and behavioral health services provided, Desert Senita realizes that patient education and empowerment are an important part of a patient’s care and potential well-being. We provide a number of education and outreach programs and services, including:
- Diabetes education classes and group medical visits for patients with diabetes – patients who participate in our diabetes education classes and diabetes group medical visits or “diabetes management sessions” utilizing a collaborative treatment and self-management model have significantly lower blood sugars than those patients who do not participate in the sessions and visits, and have a more a comprehensive support system which includes not only their primary care provider, but also includes the health educator, behavioral health staff, outreach or “promotora” staff, and other patients who also have diabetes
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program services
- PAPRx pharmaceutical assistance program screening and assistance, for those who cannot afford their everyday medications, and who are uninsured and meet eligibility guidelines
- Eligibility assistance for current and prospective patients who do not have health insurance, including screening for AHCCCS (Medicaid), Desert Senita Health Plan sliding fee scale, and Pima Community Access Program (PCAP) Pima County-based specialty program.
Ancillary Services – Laboratory, X-Ray, and Immunization Services
Desert Senita Community Health Center is fortunate to have the ability to perform laboratory and x-ray exams ordered by your primary care provider on-site for your convenience, as well as being able to administer most types of childhood and adult vaccinations on-site.
- Labs are drawn on-site, and if your insurance contracts with Desert Senita for lab services, testing can be performed on-site and results are generally available the same day or by the next business day. In some cases, your insurance may not allow Desert Senita to perform lab tests on-site; however, labs can be drawn on-site, then sent off to the appropriate laboratory as required by your insurance, with results generally available within 2 to 3 business days.
- Desert Senita employs a full-time x-ray technologist who performs and develops x-rays and bone density testing on-site. X-ray films are sent by courier weekly to be over-read by a Radiologist who returns final results by fax.
- We also offer well-child clinics which include scheduled well-child appointments as well as a walk-in clinic for immunizations. Each well-child visit includes a variety of preventative screenings, which assist the primary care provider and parents and guardians in making appropriate choices and decisions to enhance a child’s health and well-being throughout their youth. Clinics are generally held once a month from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Health center clinical staff receive regular updates on current and proposed immunization guidelines, and nursing staff send reminders to parents and guardians whose children are due for immunizations. Desert Senita also participates in the Arizona State Immunization Information System (ASIIS) and the Vaccine for Children Program (VFC), and has a high compliance rate for childhood immunization, due in large part to the hard work of nursing and outreach awareness campaigns.
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