As part of National Health Center Week and our theme, Planting the Seeds for Better Health, we're highlighting how Community Health Centers help patients stay healthy through preventive care and early detection. Today, we're featuring ETSU College of Nursing - Johnson City Community Health Center and its innovative monthly preventive measure focus program.
The following insights come from Amy Marie Sponhaltz, Quality Assurance Coordinator, who is leading this program.
What inspired the team to create the monthly preventive measure focus program?
This started before I came on board. I believe the idea came about because we have so many measures/screenings. They wanted to focus on one a month to give the providers additional information regarding how to screen, document and code to ensure that everything was being captured. The repository also gives the providers information for all measures/screenings and has helped them navigate the screening visits.
Have you seen measurable improvements in preventive screening rates since implementing the program?
If so, can you share any examples or data? We have seen improvement in some of our screenings. Our colorectal cancer screenings have increased by 7% in the first two quarters. There is still a lot of work to be done but it is a good start.
How does this program ultimately improve the patient experience and patient outcomes?
The focus for the month brings awareness to the provider to make sure they are screening everyone and this benefits the patient to ensure they are doing the necessary screenings to prevent these disease processes.
If you could share one message with patients and staff about the importance of preventive care, what would it be?
To quote my dad, “Your health is like your car, once it breaks down you can’t go anywhere.” Prevention ensures that patients have healthy outcomes to pursue a happy life and enjoy it without financial crisis due to an illness that easily could have been prevented. Providers working together with patients towards patient centered care will always be more motivated to find solutions and patients are compliant with the plan the provider gives them.
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