Family Healthcare of Hagerstown recently received a jointly funded grant for $235,000 from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission and Aetna Better Health of Maryland.

Money from the grant will help serve high-risk patients, those with chronic diseases and those who are frequent users of the hospital and/or emergency room.

The program,called "Integrating Pre-Provider Welcome Visits for Better Outcomes," welcomes and supports patients as they transition to individualized care at the clinic.

Along with capital and workflow improvements, the program has allowed Family Healthcare of Hagerstown to hire two additional licensed practical nurses to provide more support for patients, thereby decreasing patient no-shows.

The pre-visit nurse coordinators support patients in person and by telephone. They work with patients before their scheduled clinic appointment to address barriers to care so patients can achieve better health outcomes.

Before the initiative, staff members were noting that some patients weren't keeping clinic appointments and frequently were using hospital or emergency room services.

To address both, the nurses are spending more time working directly with patients so appointments are kept, medications lists are reconciled, full medical records and histories are gathered, and barriers are addressed.

In turn, patients are better prepared for their clinical appointments and health care providers are fully equipped with necessary information. That allows more time during the visit for the patient and provider to focus on health issues.

Implementation began in May. In just four months, more than 400 patients received care.

"We have an excellent staff caring for very complex patients, so having staff and patients working closely alongside one another maximizes time and effort,"Kim Murdaugh, executive director of Family Healthcare of Hagerstown, said in a news release.

We are especially excited to support the grant for Family Healthcare of Hagerstown" said Angelo Edge, chief executive officer of Aetna Better Health of Maryland. "Their work with high-risk patients is an essential to helping close the gaps in patient care."

"The Community Health Resources Commission is thrilled to support Family HealthCare of Hagerstown," said Mark Luckner, the commission's executive director. "This program will help create a medical home at Family Healthcare of Hagerstown for individuals with chronic conditions."

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Family Healthcare of Hagerstown receives grant - Herald-Mail Media