Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Finding a Medical Home

Walk into an ER for treatment and walk out with a medical home. Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital, a 37-bed community hospital in Rocky Mount, Va., is providing that opportunity for patients to ensure the most appropriate, efficient and effective care. Part of a pilot project, the hospital?s ER uses a 5-level clinical rating system, with levels 4 and 5 considered non-emergent. Patients with non-emergent conditions are screened outside the ER by a physician assistant. If deemed appropriate for primary care, the patient receives information about the role of a medical home in preventing illness and managing overall health. If willing, the patient is scheduled for an appointment with an on-site primary care practice, typically within an hour. CFMH partnered with on-site Carilion Medical Associates as the care practice for this project, being developed as the Healthcare Access Coalition. Between November 2010 and September 2011, 69 percent of eligible patients agreed to an appointment in the primary care practice. The long-term goal is to offer intensive case management to these patients, including education on chronic disease management and healthy lifestyle choices, help with appointment scheduling and billing issues, and access to community resources. CFMH also plans to partner with the local free clinic, a local federally qualified health center and other Carilion primary care providers. For more information, contact William Jacobsen, hospital vice president, at wdjacobsen@carilionclinic.org.