I have been at the American College of Healthcare Executives Annual Congress for the last several days. What I have found truly amazing by interacting with colleagues and attending the many educational sessions is that the Western Maryland Health System is so far ahead of hospitals across the US in our approach to accountable care. By accountable care, I don't mean the creation of an Accountable Care Organization, aka ACO; that will come in time. What I mean is our approach to finding better ways to care for our patients while reimbursement is being ratcheted down and expectations for better outcomes have been elevated. Our approach to accountable care can be found in our initiatives to reduce readmissions, more comprehensive care plans and discharge plans, case managing our high utilizers, the establishment of clinics and medical homes, the creation of primary care practices in the community and a much more comprehensive approach to the care of the patient through initiatives such as Perfect Care and better care coordination. We should be teaching this stuff. Great job, everyone!
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