DANVILLE - Geisinger Health System was recently highlighted in a report by U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., titled "Health Care Delivery System Reform and The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" for two innovative Geisinger programs designed to improve patient care and control costs - ProvenCare and ProvenHealth Navigator.
"Geisinger is continually cited by the president, Congress and industry leaders as a model of success in the era of health care reform, which is a testament to our commitment to innovation and the hard work of our more than 17,000 employees," said Geisinger Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Glenn Steele Jr., M.D., Ph.D. "The work being done at Geisinger is truly about transforming the future of health care, and we are pleased to be recognized for our efforts."
Whitehouse's report was meant to draw attention to the importance of health care delivery system reform and highlights the best practices of innovative models currently being used across the United States.
Geisinger was cited as one of four exemplary healthcare systems nationwide that achieve Whitehouse's five priority areas for delivery system reform: payment reform, primary and preventive care, measuring and reporting quality, administrative simplification and health information technology.
"Each of these initiatives is part of a growing national movement of providers, payers, and states dedicated to improving the quality, safety, and effectiveness of care; pioneering new delivery systems that encourage providers to better coordinate care; and reducing waste and inefficiency," the report states. "It is important to note that the success each (healthcare system) has achieved is the result of system-wide improvement efforts that span other priority areas."
Highlighted in Whitehouse's report are Geisinger's ProvenCare and ProvenHealth Navigator programs.
ProvenCare is Geisinger's approach to providing consistent, best-practice medicine to achieve quality outcomes at a reduced cost. A collaborative effort between Geisinger's Clinical Enterprise and Geisinger Health Plan (GHP), ProvenCare relies on the redesign of care processes and Geisinger's electronic health record to create and standardize evidence-based "bundles" of care. Results indicate that the program significantly improves clinical outcomes.
ProvenHealth Navigator (PHN) is Geisinger Health System's patient-centered medical home initiative. PHN is designed to improve the quality of care provided in physician offices through the implementation of a series of patient-centered, integrated, physician-guided, evidence-based and cost-effective protocols. Findings indicate that PHN improves quality, reduces costs and enhances patient and physician satisfaction.
"We appreciate the recognition," Dr. Steele said, "and look to share what we have learned - and continue to learn - with providers and payers across the United States to further enhance our country's health care system."
