Courtesy AHI
More than $530,000 has been awarded by the AHI Performing Provider System (AHI PPS) to partner organizations in the Glens Falls region to undertake innovative health care projects.
Innovation funding, part of the state’s Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Program’s efforts to fundamentally restructure the Medicaid system, will support the implementation of five progressive projects involving 18 regional organizations.
“Each of the awarded innovation fund projects in the Glens Falls area aligns with the overarching DSRIP goal of improving population health and creating an integrated delivery system,” said Eric Burton, CEO, Adirondack Health Institute. “This is the fourth round of funding the AHI PPS has made available to partners. For this round, we placed an emphasis on supporting projects involving multiple organizations from a wide array of sectors working closely to positively impact community health.”
Officials said two of the supported projects involve organizations partnering with regional YMCAs to improve population health. The Baywood Center in Queensbury and Alliance for Positive Health in Hudson Falls are collaborating with the Family YMCA of the Glens Falls Region on a Community Health and Wellness Program aimed at empowering mentally-ill and chemically-addicted individuals to take control of their physical, social, and emotional health.
“Through this program we will identify clients who are diagnosed with a substance use or mental health disorder who also struggle with a physical health or social determinants of health issue with the goal of reducing barriers to physical and social wellness, while promoting physical health, education, and healthy socialization,” said Jacqueline Foster, program director of the Baywood Center. “Physical wellness will be promoted by a Certified Wellness Coordinator and personal trainers employed by the YMCA, while emotional and social wellness will be fostered by a Certified Peer Advocate at the Baywood Center. We believe these interactions will have an enormous impact on clients’ overall well-being.”
Hudson Headwaters Health Network, the town of Chester, including the Chester Meal Site, Food Pantry and Library, Turning Leaf Counseling Services, and the Office for the Aging, are partnering with the YMCA Adirondack Center to establish a centralized Wellness Center with the goal of increasing access to needed services in the southern Adirondacks.
“A lack of opportunities for year-round fitness activities, easy access to mental health services and wellness education are among the many health-related challenges in the southern Adirondacks. Geographically, individuals are isolated from needed services,” said Chester Supervisor Craig Leggett. “By having a centrally-located, year-round indoor fitness center and recreation area, we will have an opportunity to address these challenges, making appropriate services more easily obtainable.”
Another project involves the Baywood Center and Council for Prevention providing crisis intervention training (CIT) to law enforcement officers who often serve as first responders in crisis situations. CIT provides officers with tools to effectively handle emotionally disturbed and mentally ill individuals in such situations.
“This opportunity also helps law enforcement to divert people with mental illness to the proper resources by educating them on what is available in the community and the best course of treatment for those they encounter,” said Jennifer Neifeld, chief operating officer of the Baywood Center.
Demonstrating the impact of intensive clinical pharmacy services and education on improved patient outcomes in home health care and outpatient setting is another project that has receiving funding support. Hudson Headwaters Health Network, Fort Hudson Health System, HCR Home Care, and Glens Falls Hospital aim to have pharmacists provide medication reconciliation for high-risk patients transitioning from a hospital to home care or a skilled nursing facility.
“Studies show between 50-70 percent of patients do not take their medications properly, 44 percent of Medicare patients have at least one unnecessary drug after discharge, and one in three frail, elderly Medicare beneficiaries have one or more adverse drug reactions post-discharge from the hospital. It is thought that up to 50 percent of medication-related events can be prevented,” said Linda Spokane, vice president, population health management, Hudson Headwaters Health Network.
“This funding will be used to develop and implement efficient medication reconciliation workflows, conduct comprehensive medication reviews on high-risk patients, and serve as a means to identify and engage patients in additional care and services.”
Innovation funding was provided to Glens Falls-region organizations for the following projects:
• The Baywood Center, Warren-Washington Association for Mental Health, Tri-County United Way, Greater Glens Falls Transit. A transportation voucher system will be put in place so individuals in need can get to destinations that support their health and wellness.
• Community Health and Wellness Program—Baywood Center, Alliance for Positive Health, Family YMCA of the Glens Falls Region. Mentally-ill and chemically-addicted individuals will be empowered to take control of their physical, social, and emotional health.
• Crisis Intervention Training for Law Enforcement First Responders; the Baywood Center, Council for Prevention. Law enforcement officers will learn first responder skills to improve outcomes in mental health crisis situations.
• Clinical Pharmacy Services and Education; Hudson Headwaters Health Network, Fort Hudson Health System, HCR Home Care, Glens Falls Hospital. Pharmacists will provide medication reconciliation for high-risk patients transitioning from a hospital to a home care setting/skilled nursing facility.
• Wellness Center; Hudson Headwaters Health Network, Town of Chester, Turning Leaf Counseling Services, Office for the Aging, Chester Meal Site, Chester Library, Chester Food Pantry, YMCA Adirondack Center. A centralized Wellness Center will increase access to services and positively improve overall wellness in the Southern Adirondacks.
DSRIP is the main mechanism by which New York state implements the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) waiver amendment. Its purpose is to fundamentally restructure the health care delivery system by reinvesting in the Medicaid program, with the primary goal of reducing avoidable hospital use by 25 percent over five years. For more information, visit www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/dsrip.