low country rural health network
TRANSCRIPT
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Serving Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell and
Hampton counties
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Mission To affect positive change in the access,
delivery, availability, and affordability of quality health care and support the delivery of these benefits to the residents of the Low Country.
Vision To provide a vertically integrated delivery
system that respects member autonomy while focusing on “common ground” issues which enhance health services, promote healthier communities, accommodate changing conditions throughout the service area and reduce member operating costs.
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Not-for-profit, 501©(3) organization formed in 1998
Network Members – each member has a seat on Board of Directors and include:
Allendale County Hospital, CEO Bamberg County Hospital & Nursing Center, CEO Barnwell County Hospital, CEO Hampton Regional Medical Center, CEO Low Country Health Care System, Executive
Director Public Health Departments, District Director SC Office of Rural Health, Executive Director
(partner)New members: USC Salkehatchie (Dean) & Harrison Peeples Rural Health Clinic (NP)
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Allendale – 11,000 populationUninsured – 38%Ranks lowest in the state among % of
families living below poverty levelPer capita income is lowest in state at
$7,458Critical Access Hospital
Bamberg - 16,900 populationUninsured - 39%
Barnwell - 23,000 populationUninsured – 28.9%
Hampton - 21,000 populationUninsured – 38.3%
Total Population of service area: 72,000Based on 2000 census, 34,803 person have incomes below
200% poverty in 4 county area
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Allendale County Hospital – Aiken – Augusta - Walterboro -Charleston
Bamberg County Hospital – Orangeburg – Columbia (little bit to Charleston)
Barnwell County Hospital – Aiken – Augusta
Hampton Regional Medical Center – Beaufort – Charleston -
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Operates 2 offices – Bamberg & Allendale Current operating budget - $750,000
which currently consists of revenue from mobile MRI services and a grant from AccessHealth (partnership b/w SCHA and The Duke Endowment)
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Physician recruitment Marketing/Advertising Grant writing – over $5 million in last 6
years Radiology - 24/7 coverage Teleradiology/PACS Mobile MRI Centralized Credentialing IT/Computer support Transcription Shared staffing positions Group Purchasing
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Four hospitals came together during a time of crisis in 2003 when Radiology group decided to STOP providing services to Allendale, Bamberg and Barnwell Hospitals and formed a Radiology Group
For three years, these Radiologists provided on-site coverage to 4 hospitals
Hospitals experienced tremendous growth
Bamberg Hired FT Radiologist Allendale/Barnwell share a FT Radiologist Hampton hire ¾ Radiologist
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LCHCN was awarded a grant by Duke Endowment to implement a 4 county-wide Picture Archiving Communications System (PACS)
All 4 hospitals have infrastructure in place to provide 24 hour/7 day/week Radiology coverage
Hospitals have the ability to send CTs, ultrasounds, MRIs, nuclear studies and plain films through PACS
Hospitals can send to each other for Radiology back-up
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Mobile Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is provided on-site to three network hospitals one day/week
LCHCN obtained a loan from Wachovia as well as SC Office of Rural Health’s Revolving Loan Fund to purchase the mobile MRI unit and the loan was guaranteed by the hospitals
LCHCN conducts the billing and the revenue is used to sustain the services of the network
LCHCN leases the unit to another rural hospital one day of the week and a physician’s practice one day/week
LCHCN currently performs approximately 35 – 40 scans per week
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LCHCN at one time provided credentialing services for three of four hospitals in LCHCN service area
LCHCN developed one application form for the provider as he/she was applying for all three hospitals (teleradiologists, radiologist, general surgeon, poditrist, etc.)
LCHCN provided this service because of shared Radiology program
Credentialing Coordinator resigned in July 2008 so each hospital picked up their own work
Currently reviewing option of centralized credentialing program for network members again as well as developing model for charging health plans a fee for verifying provider privileges
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Transcription was a need identified by network members at the 2004 Strategic Planning session
Through a grant, LCHCN purchased a dictation system and provided services to its network members beginning January 15, 2006
LCHCN provided transcription services to 3 member hospitals, 3 physician offices within the service area and two physician offices outside the service area
LCHCN developed marketing materials for this service
Discontinued service 2 years ago Plans to revisit service and based on need
will offer to network members again
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Patient Care Advocate (PCA) in docs offices to review patients’ charts and identify preventive screenings needed
Physician recommends screening (typically at local hospital)
Radiology volumes grew at hospitals - HRMC experienced 24% growth in colorectal screenings and 58% growth in screening mammograms
Marketing campaign in four county area to include billboards, radio ads, newspaper ads and Ministerial Alliance luncheons
Established Patient Assistance Fund thru churches to pay for office visits, transportation and medications
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Case Management – managed load of approximately 300 patients at any given time in service area
Diabetes education – two hospitals were certified as Diabetic Teaching Centers with the aid of a Certified Diabetic Educator and can bill for the visits
Pharmacy Tech – Accessed over $300,000 of free medications for un/underinsured patients over one year for Bamberg County ( AWP Average Wholesale Price)
Enrolled over 400 people in Medicaid
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Worked with SC Budget & Control Board to compile market analysis data for LCHCN service area
Identified that competition b/w counties is not significant
Allowed each hospital to identify areas of outreach for their services
Allowed for a regional physician recruitment plan
Plans to repeat study for more current data
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Expand Mobile MRI Services/Upgrade MRI unit
Develop Transcription Services Maintain Group Purchasing for supplies
for hospitals and develop Group Purchasing for physician practices
Address regional recruiting with new data Develop Strategic Plan for new Revenue
Streams
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Kathy Schwarting, MHAExecutive Director
P.O. Box 177Bamberg, SC 29003803-245-6673 office803-707-2378 cell