PREVENTION: A NEW WORLD OF HEALTH CARE!
Post written by Lori Mallory, CEO, Kansas City Internal Medicine
I first want to be sure everyone knows that this post comes from the perspective of a non-physician or non-clinical person.
As a health care leader, it is exciting, and in fact downright exhilarating, to witness a major transformation in the health care delivery system in our country. (Please also note, that my viewpoint has nothing to do with politics or health care reform.)
It does however, have everything to do with the tide change we are currently experiencing from a universal focus on acute and chronic illness to a focus on prevention strategies.
I just heard a new fact (to me) recently from the American Heart Association: Not only is Heart Disease and Stroke the leading killer of both men and women, but:
90 percent of all people have at least 1 risk factor contributing to heart disease. Eighty-percent of these are risk factors that behavior modification can address.
WOW! 80%! As a leading primary care group in our region we must be a part of this SHIFT in education and empowerment of our communities to GET HEALTHY. Our Mission Statement is to “Be an Ambassador for a Healthy Kansas City” and we take that very seriously.
I am proud to say, as Chief Executive Officer, that our team spends more time focusing on prevention discussions and strategies than perhaps any other business issue. We are intentional about the health of our patients and community. Two of the recent projects surrounding this include:
1. Medicare Wellness Physical
2. National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Patient-Centered Medical Home Accreditation
Over 2 years ago, in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, KCIM began our adventure toward achieving this key accreditation. This patient-centered model ensures that the focus is on both a prevention plan as well as managing our current health conditions. We are proud to be accredited as a Level 3 Medical Home, the highest designation possible. For more information on the National Committee on Quality Assurance, click here.
We have a few other really exciting initiatives that we will be announcing soon, so watch this blog, our Facebook Page, our new Twitter account, and the news media for that information.
I want to assure you that if you are concerned about HEALTH, WELLNESS and PREVENTION, KCIM is a LEADER and has your HEALTH as its number one priority!In the end, your health is all you truly have and the idea that we can live healthier and more vibrant lives is something we can all get excited about.
We hope that you will join us in this “movement” toward HEALTHY lifestyles!
