Penn Medicine is seeking to connect patients who typically rely on the emergency room for elective procedures with surgical care via its Center for Surgical Health, the Philadelphia-based system said July 26.
“Many uninsured patients from marginalized groups — particularly immigrant communities in Philadelphia — use the ER for their surgical needs, regardless of the condition, which can lead to costly care and worse outcomes," Jon Morris, MD, director of the center and a professor of surgery at University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, said in a news release.
The center includes a program to help patients navigate their surgical care, along with research, policy and medical education arms focused on expanding this model beyond Philadelphia.
Penn Medicine has treated 154 patients at the center this year. The health system said it's on track to treat 175 by the end of 2021 and expects this number to grow in subsequent years as the center expands.
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