To extrapolate on last month's post, I want to focus on another patient-centered medical home model found in Cayuga County. If there is something that this county is doing right when it comes to healthcare, their holistic approach is certainly it!! The Cayuga Medical Center is a large, 204 bed hospital hosting over 200 physicians from various subspecialties. Their clinical services include bariatrics, cancer treatment (including radiation), a healthy living department, orthopedics and sports medicine, maternal and pediatrics, physical therapy, pulmonary medicine, a stroke center and more. They have an emergency department, urgent care, as well as outpatient departments. They have laboratories at 5 of the medical locations for easy access. It truly makes healthcare easy for those who live in Cayuga county and surrounding areas. In addition to physicians, the staff boasts PhDs, RNs, and more. They are proud to be a "comprehensive medical center" to offer "attentive and compassionate care to each patient who comes through our doors. Our patients and families are at the center of everything we do." This non-for-profit organization certainly seems to be effective, serving more than 150,000 area residents, allowing them access to top-notch medical care without extensive travel.
I do see myself participating in such a model like the patient-centered medical home and think it is truly an important way to advance the practice of healthcare in the United States. So much more can be achieved when preventative medicine, subspecialties, and primary care work together. This helps to decrease unnecessary ordering of laboratory tests, waits for referrals, and more.
http://www.cayugamed.org/content.cfm?page=mission
I agree that we will be full participants in teh PCMH model when we are practicing. Do you know what the service area is for the CMC? It is interesting that they are so large and are relatively close to Syracuse. Coming from the 1000s Islands, I am used to smaller hospitals that refer on a regular basis, which can mean a 2 hr drive to see a cardiologist - not a fun day. It is good that such a comprehensive system is available in such a rural area.
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your insightful comments. I really appreciated your comment that stated, "So much more can be achieved when preventative medicine, subspecialties, and primary care work together." Great perspective!
Katie