Montefiore in the News

Medical Center's Progressive Approach to Care Management Praised

Montefiore Medical Center's model of accountable care and the positive impact it has on the health of the Bronx community is the subject of a Modern Healthcare white paper published Aug. 29.

Entitled Montefiore Medical Center: On the Cutting Edge of Accountable Care, the white paper highlights Montefiore as an accountable care organization (ACO) caring for the poorest of New York's five boroughs "with a combination of high tech and high touch", and suggests that the Montefiore model of accountable care may be successfully replicated in other environments. Modern Healthcare white papers offer an in-depth look at emerging healthcare issues and are aimed at assisting leaders in making better informed, strategic decisions for their organizations.

The paper quotes Steven M. Safyer, MD, President and CEO, as well as other administrative and clinical leaders at the medical center, and describes how Montefiore's systemwide culture of care management aims to keep patients as healthy as possible and out of the hospital. Focusing on its integrated provider association (IPA) and its Care Management Organization (CMO), the paper explains how the "efficient and expert care" provided for these patients positions Montefiore for the ACOs mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Montefiore's progressive approach to care management is described in detail, including how care managers monitor patients with serious chronic illnesses such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and how social workers help patients manage non-medical issues, all to help them adhere to their doctors' orders. With its 1,600 employed physicians, the medical center is "ahead of the curve in the employed-physician model that many hospitals are now adopting," according to the paper's authors.

Also highlighted is the use of integrated information technology — a systemwide electronic medical record system, Clinical Looking Glass software to measure quality of care and identify areas for improvement, and Montefiore's participation in the Bronx Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO), which holds health information data for a million patients — to provide quality, efficient healthcare.

The article lists Montefiore's community-based initiatives including health educators at local schools, food shopping classes to improve the quality of the community's diet, distribution of coupons for fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets, and monthly classes on managing diabetes and pulmonary disease, as additional important elements within its continuum of care for Bronx residents.

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