August 6th, 2014 by WCBC Radio
Today, Governor Martin O’Malley joined officials at the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center (WMRMC) to see firsthand how innovative statewide programs have cut hospital admissions to new lows. Addressing preventable hospitalizations is one of Governor O’Malley’s core goals for improving the health of Maryland citizens by changing the way healthcare is provided. Overall there has been an 11.5% decrease is preventable hospitalizations per 100,000 Marylander since 2011.
“We’re using innovative strategies to solve important problems,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “By focusing on common platforms, and by moving away from ‘fee-for-service,’ we are reducing preventable hospitalizations, controlling healthcare costs, and keeping Marylanders healthier.”
The Governor toured the Center for Clinical Resources, which uses a multidisciplinary approach to coordinating care for patients with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, heart failure, and COPD. The Center has produced approximately $1.4 million in savings for chronic heart failure and diabetic patients. The Governor was joined by Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH); Dr. Sue Raver, Allegany Health Officer; Barry Ronan, President & CEO of the Western Maryland Hospital System (WMHS), parent group of WMRMC; and Nancy Adams, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer of the WMHS
“The Western Maryland Health System has been able to successfully embrace the triple aim of health care reform: better quality of care at a reduced cost while improving the health of the community and this has been accomplished through a new care delivery model introduced under the O’Malley Administration,” said Mr. Ronan. “Total patient revenue or TPR, which served as a precursor to the modernization of the Medicare Waiver in Maryland, was introduced in ten Maryland hospitals four years ago. The model is based on value and keeping people healthy and out of the hospital. Under Governor O’Malley, not only do Marylanders have greater value and improved health status as demonstrated by our health needs assessment results, but access to care has also dramatically improved.”
The Governor also released A Prescription for Innovation: Maryland’s Data-Driven Approach to Containing Costs and Advancing Health. The paper provides an overview of how the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s innovative policy efforts and investments in new data platforms have sparked unprecedented progress inside and out of the health care system, leading to lower costs, better health outcomes, and improved patient care.
“What’s happening in Western Maryland is at the cutting edge of healthcare in our nation,” said Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, Secretary of DHMH. “By shifting off of fee-for-service hospital reimbursement, the health system is achieving greater results and controlling costs.”
The ‘Governing for Results’ series focus Maryland’s progress in achieving measurable improvements in the areas of opportunity (jobs and schools), sustainability, public safety and public health. The events will focus on strategies and efforts the State is using to achieve the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s 16 goals.
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