Western New Yorks health care system ranked in the top 20 percent 54th out of 306 regions studied in a national ranking for access to health care, prevention and treatment, according to a new study. <\/p>\n
The Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit that studies health care issues, cited the region for being a strong performer despite the disadvantages of a weak economy and poverty. <\/p>\n
The organization examined 42 indicators to determine the rankings, including immunization rates, health insurance coverage, avoidable hospital admissions, cancer-related deaths and safer prescribing processes for medications. <\/p>\n
There is a strong correlation between poverty and poor performance in this ranking. We are a poor region but landed in the top quartile. That is noteworthy, said Dr. Michael W. Cropp, CEO of Independent Health. <\/p>\n
Were a community with limited resources that is finding ways to create more value in health care, Cropp said. <\/p>\n
Three findings stood out. The Buffalo area, compared with other parts of the United States, has succeeded at developing partnerships among nonprofit health plans and physicians to improve quality. Also, a regional electronic health information exchange shares clinical and administrative data. The Commonwealth Fund also pointed out cooperative community health organizations such as the P2 Collaborative of Western New York. <\/p>\n
The report noted efforts by some physician groups to work with insurers and hospitals to improve care, highlighting the Buffalo Medical Group, a large private practice, and Catholic Medical Partners, the organization that represents the 900 physicians affiliated with the Catholic Health System. <\/p>\n
The doctors in Catholic Medical Partners have collectively hired more than 240 care coordinators to help manage patients with chronic diseases, according to the report. In addition, a team of registered dietitians offers nutrition education. And the practice association also employs performance incentives to promote the use of electronic medical records. <\/p>\n
As a result of these and other measures, the percentage of diabetic patients whose condition was under control increased to 32.2 percent, from 13.9 percent, over a three-year period, and hospital readmissions declined significantly, the researchers said. <\/p>\n
The Commonwealth Fund also lauded efforts to develop community organizations to foster collaboration among health care providers, patients, payers and others. <\/p>\n
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Collaboration elevates WNY to top 20% in national health care rankings<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Western New Yorks health care system ranked in the top 20 percent 54th out of 306 regions studied in a national ranking for access to health care, prevention and treatment, according to a new study. Continue reading