CFTK Funded Projects

Mobile Unit

The Kentucky Children’s Hospital Mobile Unit is an innovative solution to the problem of health care parity for UK HealthCare’s youngest patients. Two percent of Kentuckians aged 16 and older have no access to transportation—and that, combined with a lack of pediatricians and subspecialty providers, creates a perfect storm of delayed care for some of the commonwealth’s sickest youth.

The Kentucky Children’s Hospital Mobile Unit has the capacity to see up to 1,100 patients per year in pediatric cardiology, hemophilia/blood disorders, high BMI, and adolescent mental health. The unit can also serve as a primary pediatric service with the ability to complete routine well visits and sports/school physicals.

The Mobile Unit was established with several lead gifts to purchase and outfit the vehicle and staff it for the first two years of operation, including $500,000 from Coaches for the Kids Foundation. As of 2022 a vendor has been selected, production is underway, and the unit is expected hit the road later this year.

LOCUS Home Monitoring

LOCUS Home Monitoring System supporting the Congenital Heart Clinic and the Infant Complex Care Clinic.
KCH treats some of the most medically complex infants in the state, and many lack access to care in their home county. This system is a bridge to health for medically fragile infants discharged home between surgeries that are high risk for mortality.
Digital monitoring provides families with a safe, accurate, and user-friendly technology to monitor their children at home between visits, drastically reducing fatalities among these patients.

UK Zero Suicide Academy

Zero Suicide is a framework designed to transform system-wide suicide prevention care. Many healthcare systems, including Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, have adopted Zero Suicide.

Studies have shown reductions in suicide rates up to 75%. Coaches for the Kids Foundation funding will implement the UK Zero Suicide Academy, creating a solid support system for staff and patients. Education will begin in the late Spring of 2022 for all clinical and non-clinical staff at Kentucky Children’s Hospital.

Training gives staff the competence to identify individuals with suicide risk through screenings for all patents at every visit.