While for most of us, a trip to the doctor’s office might cause a slight inconvenience, for islanders a simple trip might become a multi-day affair. What might be a 30-minute wait for their appointment could turn into missing the next ferry and possibly the last trip of the day. Even a single appointment for a test includes a ferry or plane ride and advance planning. To help islanders both stay healthy and on island, Sunbeam Nurse Simone Babineaux has started offering preventative health screenings that include a point of care test called an A1C.
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When a resident comes onto the Sunbeam and wants to have screenings done, Simone welcomes them into her office. She then will do blood pressure and A1C checks because as she explains, “These tests are quick and easy steps that can result in solutions as cardiovascular health is vital to our overall health and wellbeing. Your systolic blood pressure, A1C, and cholesterol levels determine 75% of our cardiovascular events.”
These tests take about five minutes to complete. After getting the results, islanders can talk with Simone and she will help them understand the readings, give them educational handouts, and offer any consultation they might need. An island resident shared, “This test has taught me new things about my health and I appreciate the time and care that was taken to explain it to me.” Simone will also share the tests with the resident’s primary care doctors as well as any specialists, if they request that the results be shared. Follow-up screenings may also be scheduled to measure progress.
More than 30 people on islands have already started doing health screenings with Simone on a regular basis. She is also doing follow-ups with residents, through either phone calls, texts, or emails if people are looking for more support or resources. Simone is also there to “just listen” if islanders want to talk.
Simone hopes to start cholesterol point of care testing in the near future, the third factor that helps identify cardiovascular risks.
Learn more about the work the Mission is doing on the Sunbeam.