Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Spectrum Health recently implemented a program, The Center for Integrative Health Management at Spectrum Health, to lower unnecessary emergency department use at Spectrum Health Butterworth and Spectrum Health Blodgett, both in Grand Rapids. The hospitals handle 150,000 ED visits per year.
One year after the program was implemented, visits among heavy ED utilizers fell by 85 percent, lowering associated healthcare costs by $1 million.
The program's successful strategy followed six steps developed by Spectrum emergency physician Corey Waller, MD, in his personal test of the pilot program. The steps included:
1. Developing a business plan. The program required financial proof to be adopted.
2. Securing training in relevant areas. Dr. Waller obtained additional training in pain medicine and addiction treatment to prepare for challenges ED over-users experience.
3. Partnering with behavioral specialties. Spectrum partnered with Network180, a local mental health and substance abuse treatment center to provide behavioral health support to its ED.
4. Establishing convenient locations for patients. Spectrum assessed several locations and selected one at which to expand its urgent care and emergency department based on its accessibility to the targeted patient population.
5. Using supplemental electronic medical record technology. Spectrum Health modified its electronic medical record technology to meet its needs in emergency health.
6. Expanding coverage. After a successful program was in place, the program expanded to cover the entire Grand Rapids region.
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