The face of health care is changing. And, that face is the patient’s!
Healthcare reform has fallen on the healthcare industry, simultaneously, with the downturn of the American economy. Though reform and economic change have a way of altering one’s outlook, the face of health care is changing for other reasons. The face is taking shape – and it looks like the face is that of patients. This can greatly help business, since the overall goal is easier access to primary health care. How, you ask? Let’s look at what is taking place right here in the Upstate.
Corporate America realizes large sums of money are spent on health care, and medicine is aware that there are areas of inefficiencies that need to be addressed. Strategies to address the delivery of medicine will bring benefits to the patient – the most important part of the healthcare system.
WAVES OF CHANGE
Primary care redesign
Area physicians are aware of the waves of change and are taking measures to meet both industry and patient requests. Starting in late 2010, a “primary care redesign” effort was undertaken to help streamline and standardize how health care is delivered in practices throughout the Upstate. This effort’s focus was on “advanced” primary care, now called the “Patient-centered Medical Home.”
It is important that we have a standard delivery model. The initial focus was on primary care practices, and by assessing them on how well we care for patients – we’ve learned a lot in the process. No one likes change, but good change is good, especially in health care. The effort is spreading.
According to Chris Skinner, director of operations for Regional HealthPlus, which is a physician hospital organization (PHO), “This is good for patients; it helps with office efficiencies and allows synergy in working across the practices in our region. The winner is the patient.”
BEYOND THE UPSTATE
Partnerships are also being aligned outside of the Upstate area as clinical research organizations, most notably, the Consortium of Southeastern Hypertension Control (COSEHC), have joined the effort. COSEHC, an organization of 33 Centers of Excellence® throughout the Southeast, is focused on empowering healthcare providers with tools to better manage cardiovascular diseases.
The COSEHC 5 Star Program looks at “innovative processes for chronic disease management” in primary care. Michael Moore, M.D., COSEHC’s president, noted interest in our area’s initiative because of the team approach to managing hypertension and diabetes across various populations.
The COSEHC 5 Star Program will encompass four other sites located in Louisiana, Tennessee and North Carolina; all sites begin their programs in late September. COSEHC and five other centers will share “best practices” information to promote better models of care.
FOR THE PATIENT
The goal is to give patients easier access to see their primary care provider and when coming in for their appointment, to be treated as “guests” in another’s home. We want to offer high touch services in a caring environment. Our goal will be to couple a caring atmosphere with high-quality clinical medical care, and the COSEHC partnership will aid this area well.
Primary care redesign is well underway at numerous sites. And, for patients, there may be a change noted at upcoming visits with their physician. But, after all is said and done, good change is good…especially in health care.