West Michigan Healthcare And HIT Leaders To Co-Present At HIMSS16: Population Health Strategies Aimed At Complex Patient Populations Results In More Than $28M In Cost Reductions For Spectrum Health

Leveraging strategic partnerships, one Michigan health system has unlocked key to coordinating care for vulnerable patient population formerly accessing the emergency department for complex, non-emergent care.

WHO: R. Corey Waller, MD - Spectrum Health Center for Integrative Medicine (Grand Rapids, MI); and Doug Dietzman, Executive Director - Great Lakes Health Connect - The largest health information exchange (HIE) in Michigan; based in Grand Rapids.

Note: Mr. Dietzman and Dr. Waller are available for interview and/or comment upon request.

WHAT: Radically Reforming ER “Super Utilizers” with Health Information Exchange (Session #238)

Dr. R. Corey Waller and Douglas Dietzman will lead a discussion at the upcoming Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Technology & Information Conference demonstrating how Spectrum Health is harnessing health information exchange (HIE) to coordinate care for vulnerable patients who require complex care.

The Spectrum Health Center for Integrative Medicine is leveraging the health IT solutions of Great Lakes Health Connect to create the healthcare sharing and care-connected communities key to enhancing patient experiences, improving clinical outcomes, and reducing healthcare-related costs.

According to a recent Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) report, more than half of all healthcare costs in the United States can be attributed to just 5 percent of the patients who seek care annually. Spectrum efforts have led to:

• 72 percent reduction in emergency room visits over a two-year period
• Cost savings of $28 to $36 million

WHEN: Thursday, March 3rd, 2016 – 1:00 PM -2:00 PM

WHERE: HIMSS16 Technology & Information Conference
Sands Expo Convention Center, Palazzo J
Las Vegas, Nevada

The week-long HIMSS16 conference will be held February 29 - March 4 and brings together more than 40,000 healthcare IT professionals from around the world.