St. Mary's- LPN

St. Mary's Center is the only HIV Residential Facility on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. (516 W 126th St, New York, NY 10027)

There have been tremendous improvements in the management of HIV since St. Mary's Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) opened in 1992. These developments have led to increased life expectancy, an aging HIV infected population and the emergence of all the chronic medical conditions typically seen among non HIV patients.

St. Mary's Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) was established to address the medical and social needs of this expanding group of chronically infected patients. All of the clinicians at St. Mary's are trained in internal medicine as well as being HIV specialists. As such, they are equipped to deal with diseases that are becoming more prevalent in this population such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiac disease.

In the future we plan to expand primary care to the community at large, with or without HIV. We will accept Medicare as well as many other kinds of insurance.

MEDICAL & NURSING SERVICES

Clients in the ADHC who have primary care providers elsewhere are evaluated by the program physician who can act as a liaison. The goal is to improve the patients' understanding of their health. Lab results and medication regimens are evaluated. A registered nurse evaluates clients' antiretroviral adherence and is available to provide assistance such as 1-to-1 counseling, Directly Observed Therapy or pre-poured pill boxes. Sick visits are usually available on the same day.