Jameson Health System Launches Patient Navigation Program with Highmark Foundation and Accenture

Jameson Health System Launches Patient Navigation Program with Highmark Foundation and Accenture

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has established a patient navigator pilot program with the support of the and (NYSE:ACN). Jameson Hospital is one of three hospitals in the Pittsburgh region that are introducing patient navigators to help reduce the disparities that prevent underinsured patients from accessing high-quality care.

As announced earlier this year, the will be supported by three health systems, six certified patient navigators and 24 hospital employees who are trained to help support the program. At Jameson Hospital, the will certify two patient navigators and train eight hospital employees who are dedicated to several hundred select patients. Patient navigation, which utilizes low-cost, trained community members to connect patients to primary care, is to reduce appointment “no-show” rates, decrease inpatient admissions and reduce unnecessary emergency room visits.

“The patient navigation pilot program is exciting for both the hospital and the patients that will benefit,” said Christina Wilds, senior program officer of the Highmark Foundation. “The purpose of the one-year pilot is twofold: to increase access to high-quality care among low-income and uninsured populations as well as improve workforce development.”

“It is our goal and expectation for this pilot to expand,” shared Kristin Greenburg, RN, BSN, senior case manager at Jameson Health System. “We hope to evolve the program and grant a further reach of customized patient navigation services that will impact the healthcare delivery continuum in our region.”

The role of the navigators is to guide patients through each step of their medical care plan, which may include: in-hospital consultation and care planning, scheduling physician appointments, coordinating transportation arrangements, assisting in obtaining child care to attend medical appointments and guiding patients through insurance coverage needs.

“Patient navigation not only creates a one-on-one connection for the patient, it serves as a low-cost investment that delivers significant value to care delivery,” said Dave Balderson, who leads the patient navigation effort at Accenture. “The Highmark Foundation is uniquely positioned to help hospitals and patients navigate various barriers within the health system while freeing up time for clinicians to do what they do best – provide care.”

The Jameson Hospital project is part of a local initiative by Accenture and the Highmark Foundation to establish an infrastructure for patient navigation – both locally and within the individual hospitals. The Highmark Foundation has committed $254,500 and Accenture is providing pro-bono services and funding for supporting the salaries of the six newly hired patient navigators. The Patient Navigation Institute also provided training to certify the six patient navigators as well as educate the 24 hospitals employees who will manage and support the programs.

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The Highmark Foundation’s mission is to improve the health, well-being and quality of life of the individuals who reside in the communities served by Highmark Health Services and its affiliates. They accomplish their mission by supporting organizations and programs that help contribute to the overall health of a community.

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with approximately 266,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$27.9 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2012. Its home page is .

Through , we help clients design, build and run high performing health management programs that improve health quality and outcomes while increasing consumer and provider engagement. Accenture brings clients a combination of deep subject matter knowledge and unique capabilities that can be deployed through consulting, technology and BPO services.