SLCH and GHVFHC Partner to Expand Care Coordination Efforts
Newburgh, NY: St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital (SLCH) and The Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center (GHVFHC) are working collaboratively to provide the best possible medical care, in the right setting based on individual patient needs.
A Care Coordinator will be placed in the hospital's emergency department to assist GHVFHC patients in accessing Primary Care, Urgent Care, and other vital services provided by GHVFHC. The Care Coordinator will work with SLCH emergency department staff to assist patients with appointment scheduling, arrange transportation, and provide education about primary and emergency care utilization.
New York State recently set a goal to reduce avoidable hospitalizations and emergency department visits by 25 percent over the next five years. Both SLCH and GHVFHC are proactively working towards transforming the community wide health care delivery to better meet the needs of patients seeking medical care at our facilities.
"The entire health care system is changing in a fundamental manner, and we as providers must work together to offer safe, efficient care in the proper setting to all of the patients in this community, said Robert S. Ross, SLCH President and CEO. "I am thrilled to partner with GHVFHC on this initiative. This is an exciting opportunity to enhance care coordination."
This new program is aimed towards improving the general health and wellness of our community. The goal is to inform frequent emergency department users about the benefits of Primary Care so that patients can begin leading a healthier lifestyle. With this added service in the emergency department, patients will learn the importance of receiving preventative care regularly and emergency care, when needed.
"Our combined efforts will put an emphasis on primary and preventative health care; allowing our patients to maintain continued good health opposed to getting medical care only when they are sick," said Linda S. Muller, GHVFHC President and CEO. "These efforts will reduce emergency department visits and costs and encourage patients to take control of their health more regularly—not just on an emergency basis, thus helping to achieving the "Triple Aim" in health care: Improved Patient Experience, Improved Clinical Outcomes, and a Reduction in Health Care Costs".
St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital (SLCH) is a not-for-profit community hospital with campuses in Newburgh and Cornwall, NY. The hospital is dedicated to serving the health care needs of the Hudson Valley and aspires to excellence in the delivery of compassionate and comprehensive health care services. SLCH offers comprehensive cardiac, stroke, cancer, and orthopedic services and a full range of other clinical offerings. For more information, go to http://www.stlukescornwallhospital.org/ or http://www.facebook.com/stlukescornwallhospital.
The Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center is a non-profit organization that provides high quality, comprehensive, primary and preventative health care services to over 21,000 patients in an environment of caring, respect and dignity; in a cost effective manner that maximizes revenues; in order to be responsive to the needs of the Mid-Hudson community but with continued emphasis on the underserved and those without access to care regardless of race, economic status, age, sex, sexual orientation or disability. GHVFHC has locations in Newburgh, New Windsor, and Highland Falls. GHVFHC is one of the only Health Center's in the area to be accredited by the Joint Commission and designated by the National Committee of Quality Assurance (NCQA) as Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home. To learn more, visit www.ghvfhc.org.
