As part of last year’s Healthcare Executive Summit in Chicago, our very own Ron Guziak presented his opinions on community based health care, and changes within the hospital ecosystem – a powerful presentation that landed him a feature piece in today’s Becker’s Hospital Review.
“Whereas three percent of the population are the sickest and represent the vast majority of the healthcare dollars in the United States, and 12 percent of the population experience surgeries, emergencies, and cancer treatment, 85 percent of the population uses healthcare services periodically but thinks of themselves as very healthy—and wants to stay that way.”
“Most of what I hear about population health is about the 15 percent; our system of care gives lip service to the 85 percent,” Guziak said. “At Sun Health, we believe it is now our responsibility to provide services to the 85 percent using evidence-based technology and programs, while measuring outcomes.”
Today, Sun Health is not only the largest locally owned senior living nonprofit in Arizona, but it also is seeing dramatic success with its community health programs, including Care Transitions. “Our goal is to use revenue from our portfolio, our foundation and our senior living operations to fund community programs,” Guziak said.
In May 2013, Sun Health entered the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid pilot Community Based Care Transitions Program. The 30-day program provides in-home nursing assessment, chronic disease education, medication review and education, home safety evaluation, fall risk assessment and weekly follow-up calls.
At two hospitals, Sun Health Care Transitions has reduced the readmission rate for high-risk Medicare patients to 7 percent.”
*Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
