Recorded presentation

Alberto J.F. Cardelle, PhD, MPH, Department of Public Health, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, 200 prospect Street, Denike Building, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301, 570-422-3401, acardelle@po-box.esu.edu and Lisa Baumann, MHA, Healthy Northeast Access Program, Community Access Program, University of Scranton, PO Box 670, Scranton, PA 18501.

This paper presents the results of an outcome-based evaluation of the Northeast Pennsylvania Community Access Program (NECAP) whose goal is the creation of a coalition of community providers that will increase the capacity and quality of safety net services. The key tool of NECAP is the creation and implementation of a web-based medical record system that allows safety net providers to track users regardless of provider site and therefore strengthen the patient’s continuity of care. All clients are enrolled into the system using an assessment tool designed to identify safety-net patients at high risk for negative health outcomes because of lifestyle, behavior and more importantly social determinants, such as lack of insurance. The tool is a 53 variable self-administered tool that allows NECAP staff to score the client’s status in relation to 12 domains (demographic, social, environmental, medical, psychosocial, etc.). The clients receive an acuity score, measuring the acuteness of their service needs. This paper presents the results of the evaluation of the impact of the program on the participants. The evaluation tracks a random sample of the program’s 800+ patients through one year of the program. Patients’ original acuity score is compared with their acuity score in 6 months into the program, 9 months into the program and 12 months into the program. This paper is an initial exploration of the hypothesis that improved continuity of care will decrease the impact of negative health determinants (lack of insurance, lack of a medical home, lack of transportation etc).

Learning Objectives:

• Explore the the benefits of computer medical records
• Identify the benefits of increasing the continuity of care
• Understand the use of acuity scores in evluating programs

Keywords: Access and Services, Outcome Measures

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation