Better Health Greater Cleveland, part of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Aligning Forces for Quality initiative, reduced the number of cardiovascular hospitalizations in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, by an estimated 2,854 patients from 2009 through 2011, generating savings of $20.1 million, according to Better Health's 10th Community Health Checkup.
The report describes the outcomes of the Better Health program, which includes 450 primary care providers who care for more than 60 percent of patients in Cuyahoga County with cardiovascular conditions. The Better Health initiative focuses on diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure and angina — classified as ambulatory care sensitive conditions because access to primary care can reduce the likelihood of hospital admission for complications.
Each year from 2009 through 2011, the number of ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations decreased, with a 10.7 percent decrease in 2011. Compared with the next five largest Ohio counties, the reduced hospitalizations represent savings of $20.1 million for families, health plans and employers, according to the report.
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The report describes the outcomes of the Better Health program, which includes 450 primary care providers who care for more than 60 percent of patients in Cuyahoga County with cardiovascular conditions. The Better Health initiative focuses on diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure and angina — classified as ambulatory care sensitive conditions because access to primary care can reduce the likelihood of hospital admission for complications.
Each year from 2009 through 2011, the number of ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations decreased, with a 10.7 percent decrease in 2011. Compared with the next five largest Ohio counties, the reduced hospitalizations represent savings of $20.1 million for families, health plans and employers, according to the report.
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