(OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. – April 29, 2008) The Joint Commission and the American Case Management Association (ACMA) today named the Care Management Department of Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the winner of the 2008 Franklin Award of Distinction.
Spectrum Health was distinctive in demonstrating collaborative practice that spread care management from inpatient to community and outpatient clinic settings, extending care along the continuum in pediatric and maternity-related programs. The organization’s care management department also worked to anticipate the discharge needs of patients before they were even admitted for elective surgical procedures such as joint replacement. Spectrum supports its care management team members through formal, monthly supervisory meetings. One of the keys to the success of Spectrum Health’s approach was making an organizational commitment to case management by incorporating case management assessments and notes into the electronic health record. The notes in the e-record are accessible to all care providers.
“Spectrum Health embraces collaborative case manager roles as evidenced by their leadership, staffing and team assignments,” says L. Greg Cunningham, CEO, ACMA. “Care Management's partnership with physicians in managing the quality and efficiency of care further exhibited collaboration, a founding philosophy of the American Case Management Association. The management of patients in both clinic and acute settings indicates Spectrum Health's commitment to case management as a differentiation strategy in contributing to the health of the community.”
“The Joint Commission congratulates Spectrum Health for demonstrating how case management can improve the quality of health care. Their focus on outpatient settings is especially relevant as health care organizations nationally seek to efficiently utilize resources while promoting optimal health,” says Jean Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, The Joint Commission. “Spectrum Health’s initiatives are offering solutions to advancing case management practices.”
A panel of national experts, including nurses, social workers and other health care
professionals identified by ACMA and The Joint Commission, carefully reviewed the nominations and selected Spectrum Health for the award. Evaluation criteria for the award included the organization’s ability to demonstrate their commitment to a collaborative philosophy and an interdisciplinary process for case management.
“Our dedicated care management staff does an excellent job of partnering with many disciplines to manage patient care needs,” says Matt Van Vranken, president, Spectrum Health Grand Rapids. “Our quality of care and patient satisfaction would not be what it is without the daily efforts of these people. It's gratifying for all of us to have their efforts recognized at the highest level.”
An on-site evaluation of Spectrum Health’s case management service model for the hospitals within their system validated that the services met or exceeded the award’s criteria for excellence. Evaluation criteria included:
- The case management service demonstrates that practice is interdependent and not the function of one person or discipline;
- The service demonstrates respect for distinct professional identities and skills.
- The practice of case management is the catalyst for stronger relationships that achieve the best care for patients and families;
- The practice of case management provides leadership, competence and expertise in the solution or resolution of identified problems;
- The service has evolved through evaluation and innovation;
- The patient care provided achieves clinical, operational and/or quality outcomes;
- Practice is validated by measurable and reportable outcomes; and
- Improved clinical outcomes are documented to the extent that improvement can be replicated in other hospitals or health systems.
The award is named for Benjamin Franklin, the co-founder of the first organized hospital in the United States. His personal character, integrity and credibility, as well as his reputation as an entrepreneur and inventor, represent the type of leadership and forward thinking that distinguish the hospitals or health systems recognized as Franklin Award recipients.
The ACMA and The Joint Commission formally presented the Franklin Award to the Care Management Department of Spectrum Health on April 29 at the 15th annual NICM Clinical Case Management Conference and 9th annual ACMA meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For more information, contact:
The Joint Commission – Ken Powers, 630-792-5175
ACMA – Randall Archer, 501-907-2262
Spectrum Health – Bruce Rossman, 616-391-3706
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 8,000 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,300 other health care organizations that provide long term care, assisted living, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission also accredits health plans, integrated delivery networks, and other managed care entities. In addition, The Joint Commission provides certification of disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and health care staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.
Founded in 1999, the American Case Management Association is committed to being the Association that offers solutions to support the evolving Collaborative Practice of Hospital/Health System Case Management. ACMA is the first and only Association dedicated to the Case Management professionals who practice in Hospital/Health System Settings. ACMA provides member benefits including networking, education, legislative/policy agenda, and resources applicable to Case Manager’s responsibilities. ACMA represents Nurses, Social Workers, Physicians, Educators and Administrators delivering or supporting the practice of Case Management in the Hospital/Health System setting.
Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan that offers a full continuum of care through its seven hospitals, more than 140 service sites and 560,000-member health plan, Priority Health. Spectrum Health's 14,000 employees, 1,500 medical staff members and 2,000 volunteers are committed to delivering the highest quality care to those in medical need. The organization provided $98.6 million in community benefit during its 2007 fiscal year. Spectrum Health has earned more than 50 national awards during the past 10 years.