CooperUnite is an exciting new online resource tool to help Cooper staff make direct social service referrals for our patients. It is built and powered through a platform called Aunt Bertha, which hosts a nationwide database of more than 17,500 community-based organizations (CBOs). The tool is currently available through an internet browser and will be integrated into EPIC so it can be accessed through a patient’s chart. The CBOs provide essential services such as food, shelter, health care, employment, financial assistance, and more for referred patients.
By using CooperUnite, Cooper staff can assess the social resource needs of their patients and refer them to local CBOs. On the receiving end, CBOs know that the referral has occurred, and can validate that the patient follows through with the referral. The ultimate goal of using CooperUnite is to elevate the quality, consistency, and reporting of patient resources and outcomes.
Max Kursh, Director of Community and Population Health, spearheaded the launch of the platform in collaboration with Wayne Tompkins, Project Manager in Information Technologies.
“We know that social determinants of health have a significant impact on health outcomes and this project helps us address and reduce challenges our patients may experiencing outside of Cooper,” said Max.
With the launch of CooperUnite, Cooper hopes to grow the number of area programs participating in the CooperUnite network. Local CBOs are offered a free suite of tools that helps them claim their listing on the Aunt Bertha platform and measure inbound activities. Training for Cooper staff is scheduled to start toward the end of June 2020.
We look forward to telling you more about CooperUnite in the next several weeks.
Landing page for CooperUnite.org.