Jameson Health System Launches Patient Navigation Program with Highmark Foundation and Accenture
Jameson
Hospital has established a patient navigator pilot program with the
support of the Highmark
Foundation and Accenture
(NYSE:ACN). Jameson Hospital is one of three hospitals in the Pittsburgh
region that are introducing patient navigators to help reduce the
disparities that prevent underinsured patients from accessing
high-quality care.
As announced earlier this year, the Pittsburgh-area
program will be supported by three health systems, six certified
patient navigators and 24 hospital employees who are trained to help
support the program. At Jameson Hospital, the Patient
Navigation Institute will certify two patient navigators and train
eight hospital employees who are dedicated to several hundred select
patients. Patient navigation, which utilizes low-cost, trained community
members to connect patients to primary care, is reported
to reduce appointment “no-show” rates, decrease inpatient admissions and
reduce unnecessary emergency room visits.
“The patient navigation pilot program is exciting for both the hospital
and the patients that will benefit,” said Christina Wilds, senior
program officer of the Highmark Foundation. “The purpose of the one-year
pilot is twofold: to increase access to high-quality care among
low-income and uninsured populations as well as improve workforce
development.”
“It is our goal and expectation for this pilot to expand,” shared
Kristin Greenburg, RN, BSN, senior case manager at Jameson Health
System. “We hope to evolve the program and grant a further reach of
customized patient navigation services that will impact the healthcare
delivery continuum in our region.”
The role of the navigators is to guide patients through each step of
their medical care plan, which may include: in-hospital consultation and
care planning, scheduling physician appointments, coordinating
transportation arrangements, assisting in obtaining child care to attend
medical appointments and guiding patients through insurance coverage
needs.
“Patient navigation not only creates a one-on-one connection for the
patient, it serves as a low-cost investment that delivers significant
value to care delivery,” said Dave Balderson, who leads the patient
navigation effort at Accenture. “The Highmark Foundation is uniquely
positioned to help hospitals and patients navigate various barriers
within the health system while freeing up time for clinicians to do what
they do best – provide care.”
The Jameson Hospital project is part of a local initiative by Accenture
and the Highmark Foundation to establish an infrastructure for patient
navigation – both locally and within the individual hospitals. The
Highmark Foundation has committed $254,500 and Accenture is providing
pro-bono services and funding for supporting the salaries of the six
newly hired patient navigators. The Patient Navigation Institute also
provided training to certify the six patient navigators as well as
educate the 24 hospitals employees who will manage and support the
programs.
Learn more about Accenture’s
Insight Driven Health, Accenture
Health Management Services and Delivering
Public Service for the Future.
About Highmark Foundation
The Highmark Foundation’s mission is to improve the health, well-being
and quality of life of the individuals who reside in the communities
served by Highmark Health Services and its affiliates. They accomplish
their mission by supporting organizations and programs that help
contribute to the overall health of a community.
About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and
outsourcing company, with approximately 266,000 people serving clients
in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience,
comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions,
and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies,
Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance
businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of
US$27.9 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2012. Its home page
is www.accenture.com.
Accenture Health Management
Through Accenture
Health Management Service, we help clients design, build and run
high performing health management programs that improve health quality
and outcomes while increasing consumer and provider engagement.
Accenture brings clients a combination of deep subject matter knowledge
and unique capabilities that can be deployed through consulting,
technology and BPO services.
Copyright Business Wire 2013