Franciscan Alliance, Anthem collaboration reports better patient outcomes, $22 million in cost savings

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- A collaboration established in 2014 between Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana and Franciscan Alliance showed improvements in patient care according to a variety of measures and produced $22 million in health care savings.

First-year highlights of this Accountable Care Organization (ACO) in the measurement period from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 included:

·        

A    2-4 percent increase in medication adherence for those with diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension

·        Improvements in treatment for acute and continuing episodes of depression, specifically an increase in the number of members diagnosed with depression who stayed on their medication for the recommended period of time.

·       A seven percent improvement in well child visits for children under 15 months

·        A six percent improvement in well child visits for kids 3-6 years old

·        A decrease in hospital inpatient admissions for conditions such as asthma, COPD, diabetes, urinary tract infection and heart failure

·        A decrease in avoidable emergency room visits for conditions like earaches, sinus infections and urinary tract infections.     

“We are extremely pleased by these first-year results which show that Anthem members are getting the care they need in a more efficient and coordinated way and staying healthier as a result,” said David Lee, M.D., vice president of provider solutions at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “This ACO is demonstrating higher quality care for both acute and chronic conditions, and unnecessary costs are being removed from the system resulting in significant cost savings that benefit consumers, employers and the entire health care delivery system. It’s another way Anthem is working to simplify health care so that our members can focus on their health.”

Approximately 60,000 Anthem members are cared for by providers who participate in the Franciscan Alliance ACO. Anthem provides health data on these members so that their doctors can identify members at high risk for hospitalization or complications and intervene in a timely manner, while coordinating care with other doctors, specialists and hospitals. Anthem pays a care coordination fee for each member that helps fund a personalized care team. The team includes a Franciscan Alliance physician, a care coordinator and other health care professionals as needed.  

“Franciscan Alliance’s ACO is demonstrably committed to comprehensive patient-centered care through partnerships like this with Anthem,” said Albert Tomchaney, M.D., Franciscan Alliance’s Chief Medical Officer. “We firmly believe in the value of having a multidisciplinary team based approach to care, bringing together high touch with high tech in order to address the varied needs of our patients. This ACO based population health partnership allows us to learn from each other on how to best collaborate and coordinate activities to serve the larger population’s needs while optimizing the care of individual patients.”

One example of how effective coordinated case management works is demonstrated by efforts in 2015 at Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan City.

A patient made numerous trips to the Emergency Department for health conditions that could have been easily treated by a primary care physician.  Working together, Franciscan Alliance and Anthem case managers reached out several times to the patient to educate and encourage him to seek an appropriate level of care. By year’s end, the patient had established regular visits and treatment with a Franciscan primary care physician. Though it took repeated efforts, the patient is receiving more appropriate, effective, and lower cost care–a success story for all involved. The patient has not returned to the Emergency Department for primary care since the relationship with his new physician was developed.

Research has shown that a coordinated care approach to chronic disease – one in which all members of a care team work together and share information --  results in lower costs, less absenteeism, higher worker productivity and more efficient use of provider resources.

To learn more about ACOs at Franciscan Alliance, go to http://www.franciscanalliance.org/about/aco/pages/default.aspx.

Program helps patients move forward, beyond their cancer treatment

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Treating cancer can be a rocky ride of radiation treatments, chemotherapy and surgeries. And returning to a normal life after the battle presents other challenges.

Franciscan St. Francis Health and Cancer Support Community Central Indiana are introducing Moving Beyond, a cancer survivorship program. It blends a unique and holistic approach, combining physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health components for survivors, loved ones and caregivers.

Moving Beyond is a free 12-week program and offers classes beginning in March and continuing throughout the year. They will be held in the Cancer Center’s second floor conference rooms at 8111 S. Emerson Ave., Entrance 4.

Dates and times are:

Session 1: Tuesdays, March 1 – May 17, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Session 2: Thursdays, March 3 – May 19, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Session 3: Tuesdays, June 7 – Aug. 23, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Session 4: Thursdays, June 9 – Aug. 25, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Session 5: Tuesdays, Sept. 6 – Nov. 29, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Session 6: Thursdays, Sept. 8 – Dec. 1, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Each week focuses on a different topic to meet the needs of cancer survivors and caregivers. Participants will receive weight management and fitness tool kits, and learn the benefits of exercise, relaxation techniques, healthy meal planning and easy meal preparation.

To register, visit FranciscanStFrancis.org/MovingBeyond, or call 317-528-1412.

Franciscan St. Francis Health selects imaging services administrative director

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Nanette M, Kelley, MBA, MHA, has been appointed administrative director of imaging services at Franciscan St. Francis Health.

In that role, she will oversee the daily operations of all imaging services at Franciscan St. Francis’ Indianapolis, Mooresville and Carmel campuses and off-site locations. She has served as director of business and outreach for the Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center, a position she has held since 2008.

Kelley has many years of experience in the health care industry, analyzing clinical and financial trends, aligning them to ensure positive patient outcomes and achieving growth with the hospital’s cardiovascular service line.

An Indianapolis resident, she worked as a senior financial advisor for the hospital before joining the Peace Corps, serving as a small enterprise development volunteer in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

Kelley received her undergraduate degree in business (accounting concentration) from Butler University, where she also earned a master degree in business administration. She also earned a master of healthcare administration from the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne.

New physician establishes practice with Gynecologic Oncology Specialists

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Tina Abisola Ayeni, MD, has joined Gynecologic Oncology Specialists, a practice with Franciscan Physician Network.

She joins David H. Moore, MD, and their offices are located at 8111 S. Emerson Ave.,

Cancer Center Suite 204, Indianapolis.

Dr. Ayeni most recently was in private practice in Minneapolis. Prior to that, she was assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

A Diplomate with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, she received her undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering sciences from Harvard University and earned her medical degree from Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota. She completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina and a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at the Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education.

Dr. Ayeni has also been active in delivering gynecologic surgical care to underserved populations, dedicating her time to Global Health Outreach (Mexico and Ecuador) and the International Organization for Women & Development (Niger).

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ayeni, call (317) 528-2555.

Franciscan Physician Network is a division of the Mishawaka, Indiana-based Franciscan Alliance. To learn more about network primary and specialty care services in central Indiana, go to FranciscanDocs.org.

New palliative care leaders selected by Franciscan St. Francis Health

David Mandelbaum

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – David M. Mandelbaum, MD, and Lynn Marie Robbin, MSN, have been appointed medical director and director, respectively, for Palliative Care Services at Franciscan St. Francis Health.

They lead a team of providers whose interdisciplinary care relieves suffering and improves quality of life for patients and their families. Palliative medicine assists patients who are experiencing serious, often life-limiting illnesses, while providing support for their loved ones.

Long associated with Franciscan St. Francis, Dr. Mandelbaum also serves as medical co-director for Franciscan VNS Hospice, director of the Office of Medical Staff Engagement, and as the physician leader of the hospital’s transition to an electronic medical records system.

Lynn Robbin

A native of New York City, he has served as President and Vice President of the Franciscan St. Francis Health Medical Staff and chaired the Department of Surgery. He was a practicing general surgeon with Franciscan Physician Network Indy Southside Surgical from 1986 to 2009.

Dr. Mandelbaum received his undergraduate degree in biological sciences from Indiana University, where he later earned his medical degree. He completed an internship, residency and fellowship in surgery at The Ohio State University Hospitals.

He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is a member of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, the American Academy of Home Care Medicine, the American College of Physician Executives, American Medical Association, Indiana State Medical Association and Indianapolis Medical Society.

A nurse practitioner, Robbin, who has been affiliated with Franciscan St. Francis since 2007, was manager of the Palliative Care Department where she was responsible for the inpatient acute care unit and daily operations. She also has served in nursing leadership and related clinical and research roles with Central Indiana Cancer Centers, Indianapolis-area hospitals and Riverview Hospital.

A New Palestine resident, Robbin received an undergraduate degree in education from Indiana University.

She held various elementary teaching positions before receiving an associate of science in nursing from IU, where she graduated with honors. In 2005, Robbin earned a master of science in nursing from IU.

Robbin is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International (honor society of nursing), Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses of Indiana, Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

Free heart-healthy classes offered to public throughout February

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Franciscan St. Francis Heart Center is offering free classes focused on cardiovascular health and wellness in February.

To register for any of the classes, call 317-782-4422 or go to MyHeartCare.net to see the full listing of fall classes. Seating is limited for these events. The classes include:

From Garden to Table Made Easy

Wednesday, Feb. 17

6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Auditorium, Franciscan St. Francis Health-Indianapolis, 8111 S. Emerson Ave. (Entrance 1)

From tiny patio herb gardens to your backyard or community plots, you can grow and make you own fresh, delicious, healthy food. Let us show you how to enjoy the bounty of the seasons. We’ll provide tips and ideas for preparing the food from your garden for beginning and seasoned gardeners alike. 

Growing your own food can save you money, provide good exercise and increase the nutrients you eat. You’ll be surprised at just how flavorful fresh produce can be on its own with little or no added salt and fat.  Preserving a harvest is even more fun. Our experts discuss our favorite techniques, freezing and drying, and how to save herbs to use to flavor your dishes all year-long.

Participants also will be given a package of tips, ideas and seeds to prepare their gardens this spring.

Atrial fibrillation: What are your options?

Wednesday, Feb. 24

Refreshments served at 6 p.m.; program starts at 6:30 p.m.

YMCA at CityWay, 426 S. Alabama St., Indianapolis

Presented by: John W. Moore, III, MD, Franciscan Physician Network Indiana Heart Physicians and Andrew Barksdale, MD, Cardiac Surgery Associates

Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a condition where the heart beats irregularly at a high rate. Some people say it feels like a hummingbird fluttering in their chest. When severe, this condition can lead to heart attack or stroke.

Fortunately, physicians and surgeons can treat this condition in several ways. Drs. Moore and Barksdale will discuss signs and symptoms of Afib and the innovative treatment options available. These physicians also will provide details about a new surgical procedure that, when Afib is diagnosed in the early stages may be permanently corrected.