Physicians screen for food insecurity and refer patients who screen positive to 1 of 2 food pharmacies.To help identify food-insecure patients, ProMedica integrated the Children’s HealthWatch Hunger Vital SignTM survey in its inpatient admission database. Patients with positive results are assigned to a social worker to further discuss their food and financial stability. Upon
discharge, patients are provided with a care package designed by a dietitian containing a day’s worth of meals and a resource guide with information on available food-related programs such as food pantries, soup kitchens and food delivery services in the community. The patients are able to re-visit the food pharmacy 1/month for 6 months and are able to get a new referral at the end of 6 months, if needed. Meals were not delivered

As a non-profit, mission-based health system committed to community health needs ProMedica works together with community agencies, faith organizations, businesses, and elected leaders to end hunger, sharing successful strategies employed throughout their region.

1,100 patients of the 2,243 who were referred used their referrals and became clients of the food pharmacies. According to the operating health system, Medicaid patients referred experienced 3% decrease in ED visits, 53% reduction in readmissions, and 4% increase in primary care visits after screening.To date, 4,000 Medicaid patients have been referred to the food pharmacy.