Data on how Emmi Solutions’ technology improves patient flow, care and reimbursement to be showcased at AHA’s 2012 Leadership Summit
Technology Allows Grady Memorial Hospital to Empower More Atlanta Heart Disease Patients to Self-Manage
<0> Ritz CommunicationsPatty Keiler, 312-550-5394 </0>
Grady Memorial Hospital has standardized and improved patient education and reduced by 75 percent the amount of time staff spend educating new patients about Warfarin by implementing Emmi Solutions’ interactive multimedia program in its Coumadin Clinic. This has allowed Grady, the largest hospital in Georgia and the public hospital for Atlanta, to add 138 patient appointment slots per month to better meet the needs of a growing heart disease population. This study was selected as a poster display at the 20 Annual Health Forum and the American Hospital Association Leadership Summit to be held July 19-21 in San Francisco.
Grady previously had to limit the number of new patient visits to its Coumadin Clinic per day due to the length of time – nearly 90 minutes – required to help each new patient understand their condition and self-management responsibilities. This could delay the date of the first visit for new patients.
“By implementing interactive patient engagement technology we were able to dramatically improve the efficiency of our clinic, and thus provide care for a far greater number of our patients,” said Sue Green, Senior Vice President of Operations, Grady Health System. “Beyond that, this technology engaged our patients and empowered them to ultimately take greater responsibility for their own care. As we move into a new era of accountability, innovation such as this is imperative to our success.”
Despite Grady’s heavily underserved, older patient population – which includes many computer novices – 100 percent of patients participate in the interactive multimedia program during their clinic visit. The program educates them about their condition and treatment, and engages them to actively self-manage their care.
The focus of the posters chosen for presentation at the Summit are innovations and advances that help hospitals and health systems transition from the present day volume-based environment to a one in which success depends on the delivery of value.
Grady Health System is one of the largest public health systems in the United States. Grady consists of the 953-bed Grady Memorial Hospital, six neighborhood health centers, Crestview Health & Rehabilitation Center, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, which is operated as a Children's affiliate.
With its nationally acclaimed Emergency Department and Burn Center, Grady has the premier level I trauma center in the region and serves as the 911 ambulance provider for the city of Atlanta. The state's only Poison Center is housed at Grady as well.
The Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center, Grady Diabetes Center, Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, and the Avon Breast Health Center are also notable components of the health system. Additionally, Grady's Ponce de Leon Center was named one of the top three HIV/AIDS outpatient clinics in the country.
Other key services include Grady's Regional Perinatal Center and its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the Primary Care Center, dedicated 60 Plus services for older adults, Teen Services, and the Rape Crisis Center.
Nationally ranked in one specialty, Grady was named one of Atlanta’s Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. In 2012, Hospitals & Health Networks Magazine named Grady one of the country’s Most Wired health systems.
Emmi’s proprietary interactive communication methodology – which incorporates graphics, text and spoken words – delivers actionable health information to patients at key moments across the continuum of care. It has been demonstrated to help healthcare providers reduce costs, increase revenue and improve outcomes by engaging and empowering patients. The platform allows providers to track the delivery and consumption of information to measure the clinical and financial impact of patient engagement and meet regulatory guidelines. The web-based platform requires no installation or maintenance and can be used in stand-alone mode or fully integrated into existing systems.