The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #64893

Susan Vonderheid, PhD, RN¹, Joanne Pohl, PhD, RN¹, Kathy Forrest, BSN, RN², Michele Poole, MSN, RN, CS³, Patricia Schafer, PhD, RN⁴, and Violet H. Barkauskas, PhD, RN, FAAN¹. (1) School of Nursing, The University of Michigan, 218 South Calumet Avenue, Aurora, IL 60506, 630-906-0569, vonde@umich.edu, (2) College of Nursing, Michigan State University, A120 Life Sciences Building, East Lansing, MI 48824, (3) Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, (4) Kirkhof School of Nursing, Grand Valley State University, 344C DeVos, 401 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Background: With the rising number of uninsured and underinsured individuals across the nation, the role of safety net providers is becoming increasingly important. Similar to other safety-net providers, Academic Nurse Managed Primary Care Centers often struggle to achieve financial sustainability while serving resource intensive populations and receiving inadequate reimbursement. Continuous measurement and comparison of financial performance measures are essential to improve the fiscal management and long-term survival of safety net providers. Objective: The purpose of this paper is to (1) measure and compare financial productivity using Full Time Equivalents and Relative Value Units for years 2000 and 2001 of Academic NMCs delivering primary care to diverse populations and (2) identify business practices that affect these performance measures. Sample: As part of an Academic Consortium of Nurse-Managed Primary Care Centers, six centers across a midwestern State collected revenue and cost data for calendar year 2000 and 2001. Centers provide a full range of primary care services, and the majority of centers offer health education classes, screening, and counseling. Centers provided between 1000 to 7000 visits per year. Methods: Researchers developed a financial reporting form and interviewed key personnel to obtain comparable data across sites. Data were analyzed using gross accounting methods. Performance measures were calculated and then centers were compared by level of performance. Results:. Performance measures indicating profitability, cost management and productivity are reported. Barriers to financial self-sufficiency remain substantial. Business practices contributing to improvements in financial status are also identified.

Learning Objectives:

• List financial indicators useful in monitoring financial performance of nurse-managed primary care centers.
• Describe business practices associated with better financial performance of nurse-managed primary care centers.

Keywords: Nursing Center, Performance Measures

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Grand Valley State University Michigan State University University of Michigan Wayne State
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment