La Clinica, founded in 1971, serves 81,000 patients annually across 35 locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. These locations include stand-alone primary care facilities, clustered campus settings, school-based health centers, and mixed-use complexes. The region’s varied climate—hot inland areas and cool coastal regions—presents distinct health risks. Recognizing the vulnerability of a population accustomed to cooler temperatures, La Clinica received a grant from CalEPA to send text message-based alerts to high-risk patients during extreme heat events, defined as two or more consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 95°F..
During the summers of 2022 and 2023, La Clinica sent heat alerts to thousands of patients in Contra Costa and Solano counties. The alerts provided critical information on how to stay safe during extreme heat events, particularly for high-risk groups like the elderly, children, pregnant people, and those with chronic health conditions. In 2023, La Clinica signed up for heat alerts from Harvard C-CHANGE, tailored to the local climate
La Clinica adopted both proactive and reactive prevention strategies to mitigate the health impacts of extreme heat. Starting in late spring, patients were advised on how to prepare for summer heat, including checking air quality, staying hydrated, and modifying activities. Individualized action plans were developed to address specific health risks. During clinic visits, “health shock” events were used as teachable moments to motivate behavior changes. Patients were explicitly informed about the risks of dehydration and given practical advice on staying cool and hydrated.
The text alerts sent during the summers of 2022 and 2023 had a significant impact on patient safety and awareness. In the first summer, 2,608 recipients in Eastern Contra Costa County received alerts during extreme heat events. By the second summer, the program expanded to include Contra Costa and Solano counties, reaching 5,871 and 5,664 recipients, respectively. Feedback from these alerts was overwhelmingly positive. Recipients expressed trust in La Clinica over government or other authorities, found the language and reading level of the messages appropriate, and appreciated the useful information they were previously unaware of. Although in-person focus groups had low attendance, pivoting to phone calls for feedback proved more successful. La Clinica also advertised the initiative through posters and educational materials distributed at clinics, enhancing community engagement and awareness.
La Clinica’s comprehensive approach to managing health risks during extreme heat events sets a commendable example for other health centers looking to enhance patient care and safety. By integrating targeted text message alerts with practical education on heat preparedness, La Clinica has effectively raised awareness and safeguarded its community against the dangers of heat-related illnesses. Their strategy of leveraging local climate data to deliver timely, personalized communications exemplifies how health centers can utilize technology to address specific regional health challenges.
La Clinica’s Resources
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM POOR AIR QUALITY Flyer
This flyer provides essential tips in both English and Spanish, including checking air quality levels, limiting outdoor activities, using appropriate masks, and maintaining clean indoor air to ensure the safety and health of individuals and their families.
How to Survive a Heatwave Infographic (English)
How to Survive a Heatwave Infographic (Spanish)
The infographic includes practical tips such as lowering shades to reduce heat, maintaining cross-ventilation, hydrating frequently, avoiding alcohol and sugary drinks, wearing loose cotton clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, and seeking cool shelters like libraries and cooling centers. It also highlights the importance of not leaving children or pets in cars, recognizing the signs of heat-related illnesses, and making a plan for help during extreme heat, particularly for vulnerable populations like young children, older adults, and outdoor workers.
Text Message Examples
La Clinica has developed a series of text message alerts to help the community manage health risks during heat-related events. These alerts are tailored to specific groups, providing critical advice based on current air quality index (AQI) levels.
Patient Instructions Examples
La Clinica has crafted these instructions in English and Spanish to guide patients on how to protect themselves and their families during extreme heat events and periods of poor air quality.
ICD-10 Value Sets
La Clinica has developed a set of ICD-10 value sets to support them in identifying and managing conditions related to extreme heat and poor air quality. These value sets include specific codes for conditions that are exacerbated by these environmental factors, enabling better patient tracking and care management. If you would like to see the value sets created by NACHC for this purpose, please click here.