The Politics of Prevention: Improved Financial and Clinical Outcomes for Chronically Ill Populations
Health care costs today continue to skyrocket, with the chronically ill and aging population serving as the biggest drivers of costs. Could the politics behind medicine be the root of all evil? Are the presidential candidates’ universal health care plans truly the solution? Or is preventive care and technology the rational center of reducing costs and improving care? Separate fact from fiction by reading the Erickson Health White Paper that reveals successful approaches to cost reductions as well as positive health outcomes. This was moderated and presented by Dr. Ken Thorpe, John Erickson, CEO of Erickson Retirement Communities, Rick Grindrod, President of Developing Enterprises at Erickson, and Dr. Matt Narrett, Chief Medical Officer of Erickson Health at the World Health Congress, April 21, in Washington DC.
Erickson health record sharing agreement designed to promote saving lives
(October 2007)—If an elderly patient arrives in the ER in the midst of a stroke, it’s only sensible for doctors to administer a clot-busting drug, right?
Not necessarily. If that person’s already on a blood-thinning drug (as many older adults are to fight heart problems) the clot buster could actually cause excessive—and life-threatening—bleeding. But if the person can’t communicate, and there’s no loved one accompanying that person, how is the ER doctor supposed to know this person’s medical history?
John Erickson, CEO of Erickson Retirement Communities, calls the lack of health information on seniors (despite their average of five chronic conditions when they come into an ER) “a major disconnect.” Studies show experts agree with him—but putting electronic systems into place to easily provide an exchange of health information among facilities has been very slow.
The Erickson Health system within Erickson’s 20 communities nationwide already uses electronic medical records (EMRs). Now Erickson has worked out an agreement with St. Agnes Hospital, close to the company’s Charlestown community in Catonsville, Maryland, to provide a computerized link between both facilities.
For more on this story, click here to read the article.
Erickson Health survey reveals
what over–65
adults want in health
Being independent ranks number one among adults over age 65 surveyed by Erickson Health, with accessibility of health care not far behind.
Specifically, the five-state nationwide survey of this age group found 92% ranked maintaining their independence as their number one concern. Keeping active was a priority for 90%.
Among other areas of high importance, the surveyed adults cited:
- Staying physically fit (85%)
- Being with family (83%)
- Accessibility of health care (83%)
- Being able to get health care appointments when they need them (83%)
For more information on the various areas of importance in health and health care for adults over age 65, click here to read the article.
