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Impact of Closure of a Safety Net HIV Case Management Agency
Author(s) -
Khosla Nidhi,
Kennedy Caitlin,
Winch Peter,
Latkin Carl,
Marsteller Jill
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
world medical and health policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.326
H-Index - 11
ISSN - 1948-4682
DOI - 10.1002/wmh3.139
Subject(s) - agency (philosophy) , closure (psychology) , safety net , business , public relations , asset (computer security) , newspaper , health care , service (business) , marketing , sociology , medicine , computer security , economic growth , political science , advertising , environmental health , economics , law , social science , computer science
Safety net healthcare agencies serve important roles within organizational networks, yet little research has examined the impact of their closure on other healthcare organizations. Using a case study approach, we explored the impact of the sudden closure of a prominent safety net HIV agency on other HIV service organizations and clients in a U.S. city. We conducted 23 key informant interviews and examined newspaper articles and agency publications. The agency's closure led to many clients being lost to the system, delays in care, and the loss of a caring community asset that provided unique services together (e.g., legal aid, showers, laundry, lockers for homeless people). Other organizations suffered since they had relied on the agency for case management services. Agencies should engage in transition planning and sustainability planning to ensure continuity of services. Policymakers must implement health system changes in a planned manner wherever possible.