It makes an impression...the mega medical mammoth called "Medicine on the Move" is 45 feet long. If this truck were any longer, they'd need a permit to move it. Inside there are 4 medical professionals, 2 exam rooms…ultrasounds and x-rays and a radiology lab. Outside, a wheelchair lift. Trevor Hayes with Health Plan of Nevada gave us a sneak peek, telling us, “There are hardwood floors. There's a skylight that changes colors…granite-looking counter tops...and the cushions on the examination beds have got to be 4 to 6 inches thick!"
Brand new and Peterbilt-propelled, it will cruise up and down between Vegas and here. Toni Corbin of Southwest Medical Associates took us inside: "This would be an example of one of our exam rooms. And we're very mobile, so we're using tablets in all of our exam rooms. And this is our fully comprehensive radiology suite. This is a digital mammography unit, it's one of its kind that's in a mobile unit today."
This doctor’s office on wheels will have its first day of business in Reno tomorrow (Wednesday). And they say you will see more of these…you're looking at a new trend: medical is going more mobile. Part of it is getting preventive care out there, saving the insurance provider, and the patient, high expense. Plus customers like convenience. Hayes told us, "And so we came up with the idea along with our partner at OptumCare to build this, and take the care to the people."
And patients lately want more…not just using mobile clinics for physicals, immunizations and everyday maladies like strep throat. They're seeking care for more serious conditions, and looking for more intensive clinical work. Toni showed us the goods inside: "EKGs...X-rays...ultrasound, spirometry." Toni witnessed a life changed here in southern Nevada last week. Their EKG detected a serious heart problem: "And we were able to get her into a cardiologist to get her heart-related issues addressed."
They also hope to eliminate many of the gripes associated with doctor's offices: crowded waiting rooms, long waits, inconvenient hours…at the same time charging the same, and reducing traffic in emergency rooms. It’s also a way to deal with so many more people on insurance since the health care act. As Hayes told us, "There are hundreds of thousands of extra people who now have care, have coverage, and don't have access to care. And we decided we had to get them care. They have insurance. They need to see a doctor!"
Medicine on the Move is for Medicare and Health Plan of Nevada customers. It provides services to northern Nevadans for the first time Wednesday and Thursday. To make an appointment, click below:
