225888 A Healthcare System Approach to Prevention: The Medical Home Model from Framework to Practice

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Theresa De La Haya, RN, MPH , Community Health and Clinical Preventive Programs, University Health System, Senior Vice President, San Antonio, TX
Priti Mody-Bailey, MD, MA , Community Medicine Associates, President/CEO, San Antonio, TX
Linda Hook, RN, MSN, MSHP , Women's and Preventive Health Services, University Health System, Clinical Director, San Antonio, TX
Camerino I. Salazar, MS , University Center for Community Health, University Health System, Director, Outcomes and Evaluation, San Antonio, TX
February 2008 marked a critical juncture for the Bexar County Hospital District d/b/a University Health System (UHS) as it assumed clinical and financial responsibility for the delivery of clinical preventive services. Through a collaborative health planning process all clinical preventive health services were transitioned from the local public health department (San Antonio Metropolitan Health District) to UHS with the broader goals being that such a transition would a) enhance the quality of services, b) reduce duplication, and utilize resources more efficiently, and c) support a seamless system of care for patients.

These efforts were further advanced in 2009 when UHS initiated an effort to more fully integrate the conceptual framework of the Medical Home Model into the broader clinical mission of its preventive health clinics thus providing the residents of Bexar County accessible, comprehensive, integrated, patient-centered care. This initiative was also guided UHS' strategic priorities that included alignment of clinical services, targeting specific populations for improved access to care and a movement towards integration.

UHS's commitment to community health improvement through delivery of core clinical services via the Medical Home Model (MHM) can also be seen as part of a broader prevention effort to improve access to health services, prevent disease among at-risk populations, identify best practices and work collaboratively with academic and community partners toward an ultimate goal of reducing healthcare utilization among the residents of Bexar County.

Learning Areas:
Provision of health care to the public

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the conceptual framework of the Medical Home Model within a health system approach to community health improvement that includes prevention, delivery of efficient high value care, evidence-based practice, community engagement, and inter-operable information systems. Discuss the planning and implementation steps taken in helping to optimize a targeted approaches to health promotion and disease prevention efforts within a healthcare setting. Describe the process for improving delivery of care to high-risk populations through a specific health system initiative focusing on delivery of comprehensive clinical preventive services.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I currently serve as Senior Vice President for Community Health and Clinical Preventive Programs and working in partnership to improve delivery of comprehensive clinical preventive services for the residents of Bexar County, Texas
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.