Westshore Family Medicine among
top 10% of providers in nation
Muskegon, Mich. (November 15, 2006) – Westshore Family
Medicine (WSFM) recently received recognition for their active
participation in PPRNet, a national primary care practice-based
research and quality improvement organization. This achievement
places WSFM among the top 10% of physician practices in the
nation.
PPRNet is unique in its approach by requiring that all members
of this network be able to obtain and save patient information
on an electronic medical record system. WSFM participated
in a nation-wide study funded by the U.S. Public Health Service
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality designed to accelerate
translation of evidence-based medical guidelines into practice
(ATRIP).
105 practices nationwide have been involved with the two-year
project to improve the delivery of care within the physician
office setting. Over 75 indicators for improving healthcare
were reported on throughout this process. The guidelines are
for prevention and treatment of heart disease and stroke,
diabetes, cancer screenings, immunizations, respiratory disease,
mental health and substance abuse, nutrition and obesity,
and safe drug prescribing in the elderly.
As part of this recognition of participation, several staff
members of WSFM traveled to Charleston, SC to the Network
Meeting. Dr. Joel Jarvis, Family Practice Physician at WSFM
presented the office’s experience with PPRNet and the
impact that it had on both staff and patients. “Being
part of this initiative has been worthwhile for this practice”,
says Dr. Jarvis. “We began this initiative two years
ago and have seen a transformation with our staff by being
proactive with patients to ensure that the appropriate tests
and vaccinations are being done for prevention of disease.”
PPRNet has been instrumental in linking physicians who use
the electronic medical record for their patients for standing
orders such as immunizations. When a patient is at a physician
visit, if an immunization is overdue, it is flagged and the
staff talks with the patient about receiving the immunization
during their visit. Many times the patient has been immunized
before the physician comes to see the patient.
Staff members who attended this conference all shared life
changing experiences. “Our patients expect that the
physician will tell them when their next tests or procedures
will happen,” says Cindy Delgado, Clinical Team Leader.
Mary White, a data clerk stated “Everyone provides the
care to each patient. From the front line staff to the physician,
it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that their
patients are healthy and taking the necessary steps to remain
healthy and fight disease.” Echoing Mary’s experience,
Crys Tapanila, LPN has witnessed first hand the “increased
quality of care that is delivered to each patient.”
WSFM has been influential in looking at the traditional delivery
of healthcare and creatively changing how it is delivered
to their patients. At a time when healthcare providers are
stretched in many directions, the staff at WSFM has proved
that each employee is part of caring for the patient and taking
a proactive approach to treating the patient.
About Mercy Health Partners
MHP is the specialty referral hospital along the lakeshore.
MHP’s specialty services include open heart, cardiology,
vascular, emergency services, cancer care, orthopedic and
spine surgery, urology, bariatric surgery/weight management,
nephrology, ENT, palliative care and rehabilitation. MHP
promotes excellence in a variety of areas through specialized
institutes and centers where specialty and primary care physicians
and staff work collaboratively. Some of these centers include
the Heart and Vascular Institute, the Centers for Women’s
Health, the Center for Weight Management, the Imaging Center
of Excellence and the Emergency Center.
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