ED Diversion ProjectLourdes Health Network

Erin TomlinsonGrant Writer, Lourdes Foundation

April 19, 2011

Problem addressed by Grant

• Inappropriate utilization of the ED by Medicaid recipients

• Improving service outcomes for all patients• Improving the continuum of care for all patients

Grant Partners

• Lourdes Health Network• Tri-Cities Community Health

(formerly known as Community Health Center La Clinica)

• Miramar Health Center (local Yakima Farm Workers Clinic)

Strategies Utilized1. Shared Information

Lourdes Health

Network

Tri-Cities Community

Health

Miramar Health Center

Medicaid Recipients

Strategies Utilized2. Shared Staff(Case Management staff works together to link patients to primary care services, provide patient education and follow-up)

• 2 full-time hospital based Case Managers meet with patients in the ED • ½ time Case Manager/Behavioralist at

Miramar• 1 full-time Case Manager at Tri-Cities

Community Health

Strategies Utilized3. Community Education and Awareness

Campaign• Press Conferences• Radio and Television PSAs• Magnets in English and Spanish• Brochures in English and Spanish• “What To Do When Your Child Gets Sick” books in English and Spanish• Trayliners at 13 area McDonalds• TV Monitors in local Food Banks• Participation in the United Way “Babies Can’t Wait Campaign” and its agencies• Participation in community fairs and expos• Held 2 medical employee trainee programs for medical staff throughout our area in

partnership with the State’s Patient Review and Coordination Program Staff• All promotional information included on LHN website and incorporated into all LHN

marketing efforts• Tri-Cities Communiy Health Center held a community fair and highlighted message

Challenges• Bringing partners together• Staff changes at TC Community Health

and LHN• Hiring mistakes• Collecting accurate information from

patients• Collecting monthly reporting information

from partners

Engaging Leaders

• Leadership that is Mission focused• Collaboration as an attitude and a

commitment to share resources and information

• Most important reason for collaboration – it benefits the people we serve

What Worked?

• Remaining focused on Mission• Ability to quickly identify target

market• New Case Management Model• LHN was champion of program• Community Engagement

Results

• Tri-Cities Community Health increased hours at Urgent Care

• Miramar added a new provider• Decrease in Behavioralist

services at Miramar• Attracted new partnerships to

our effort

LHN Results

2008 2009 20100

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

Medicaid Utilization Trend

Medicaid Other

LHN Results

2008

2009

2010

0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14%

Non-Emergent Utilization Trend

Non-Emergent Other Non-Emergent Toal Non-Emergent Medicaid