2003

7 May, 2003

(Akron, Ohio – May 7, 2003) Summa Health System has always been confident of the high quality care a patient receives while in their hospitals. But Summa had no assurance that the continuity of care would be maintained when an older adult patient was transferred from a Summa Hospital to a skilled nursing facility (SNF).

That has changed. Summa Health System and skilled-nursing providers have come together to be part of a system-wide Care Coordination Network (CCN) that is designed to meet the complex, post-discharge needs of older-adult patients. Twenty-five SNFs have been designated as preferred providers. In order to provide a seamless transfer of services, the network developed a communication program and defined methods of transfer. Each facility will work closely with Summa to set clinical guidelines and will work to improve the outcomes of patients who are transferred from Summa.

Dr. Kyle Allen, D.O., chief of geriatrics and medical director of Summa Senior Health Services, said, "For frail elderly patients, moving from one level of care to another is a very critical time." He added, "if not handled properly, patients can run into serious problems, which result in complications or unnecessary readmission to the hospital. The members of the Care Coordination Network have worked together for the past year to develop a program to help support the patients and their families through this important transition."

According to Allen, the network will lead to improved processes, quality of care and can ultimately improve the health of geriatric patients.

“Through the collaborative of the Care Coordination Network, senior services and the CCN members can share their respective expertise and knowledge in caring for older adults who have complex medical issues,” Allen said. “This initiative is primarily focused around improving the transitional care period and communication. However, in the long term, we can look at and influence outcomes in the larger community. For example, if we start seeing hospital readmissions for conditions that could be treated at the SNF with the same quality care, this can result in improved resource utilization such as hospital beds, improved satisfaction for patients and families and less disruption of the treatment plan, rehabilitation and continuity.”

Judy Akins, executive director of Summa Senior Health Services, said the network also improves communication between facilities.

“When we began this work, one skilled-nursing issue that repeatedly surfaced was inefficient communication and lack of communication. Over and over, issues regarding communication about the patient across the continuum—and the problems that were caused—frequently resulted in the patient coming back into our system via the ED or the patient not achieving satisfactory outcomes,” Akins said.

The post-acute-care strategy will also address logistical problems during discharge planning. It ensures that a discharged patient leaves with what they need and that the accepting facility has what it needs to provide that patient with the proper care. For example, if a patient is on intravenous antibiotics, the nursing staff at the SNF is alerted to the need and they can secure the necessary equipment and personnel.

Summa Health System is one of the largest organized delivery systems in Ohio. The health system encompasses a network of hospitals, including Akron City, St. Thomas and Cuyahoga Falls General Hospitals, three community health centers, SummaCare, Akron City Health System and the Summa Foundation. Summa Health System is a leader in geriatric care. Since 1999, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Summa Senior Health Services among the top in the nation. With resources like the Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) Unit, older-adult patients receive multidisciplinary care with an emphasis on maintaining a their functional status. But a disconnect in care can occur when a patient is transferred from the hospital to another facility.