THE HEALTH CORNER - A COMMUNITY-BASED NURSING MODEL TO MAXIMIZE ACCESS TO PRIMARY-CARE

America spends more than $700 billion per year on a health care system that is unparalleled in the technological advances it produces, yet m any Americans do not receive the basic health care they need. Access t o obtaining these health services can be affected by economic, structu ral, or personal barriers. This paper describes a primary health care delivery that addresses the specific health concerns of a neighborhood . The model forges a partnership with the community while developing c ollaborative relationships with area health providers. Targeted health services are offered in a community-based, nurse-managed site. Client s receive the basic health services they need, local providers expand their client base with ''satellite locations,'' and the major medical institutions receive more appropriate referrals and have less unnecess ary use of the emergency rooms.