Geisinger's renowned ProvenCare® program launches three new orthopaedic offerings: Total Hip, Total Knee and Hip Fracture

DANVILLE, Pa., Sept. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In 2006, Geisinger Health System transformed the health care industry by testing and rewarding how elective cardiac surgery was performed and by offering a "warranty" on coronary artery bypass surgeries. That innovative effort marked the birth of the Pennsylvania-based health system's eminent ProvenCare program, which applies evidence-based protocols aimed at reducing mortality rates, improving outcomes and reducing costly readmissions.

Those early trials have since been heralded a success by top health care and governmental sectors and garnered national – and international – media attention.  By eliminating unwarranted variation and applying scientific best practices to coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients, Geisinger has been able to reduce readmissions, complications and length of stay while raising its profit margin by 17 percent.

Today, Geisinger has launched three new orthopaedic programs: ProvenCare Hip Fracture, ProvenCare Total Hip, and ProvenCare Total Knee in yet another chapter of its transformative care.

"Since introducing the new ProvenCare orthopaedic protocols, we've already witnessed a 50 percent decrease in readmissions and a 10 percent reduction in length of stay figures when it comes to total hip replacements," explained Dr. Michael Suk, chairman of Geisinger Health System's Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, who has led his team's effort at integrating   ProvenCare into orthopaedics. "By employing evidenced-based protocols for all hip and knee surgeries, we are able to ensure the same high quality care is delivered to every patient, every time."

"ProvenCare Hip Fracture is a uniquely new offering in that patients are enrolled without pre-condition – directly through the emergency department. By standardizing workflow and processes, patients are optimized for surgery, on average, under 30 hours upon arrival," Dr. Suk said.

"We have seen tremendous efficiency strides without any compromise in quality. Our programs at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa., and Geisinger Wyoming Valley in Luzerne County, Pa., have been certified by the International Geriatric Fracture Society as two of only six programs in the country for exceeding national benchmarks for hip fracture care."

ProvenCare is a multifaceted program that, for inpatient procedures, includes the reengineering of care using evidence-based "bundles" of discrete clinical elements and a "patient compact" that provides education and encouragement to patients to become more engaged in their own care. When insurers are willing, it also involves adoption of a fixed per-case rate that covers preadmission, inpatient and follow-up care.

The ProvenCare hip and knee arthroplasty programs, for example, both have a 45-point checklist that patients go through from admission, surgery, discharge and follow up.  The ProvenCare program has also expanded to cover other procedures and conditions, including bariatric surgery, perinatal care, diabetes and coronary artery disease.

"Since Geisinger began this experiment in innovation eight years ago, our patients have been less likely to return to intensive care, have spent fewer days in the hospital and are more likely to return directly to their own homes instead of a nursing home," Dr. Suk said.

Geisinger is bringing its ProvenCare modules to the market through xG Health – an independent Geisinger startup launched in 2013.  xG Health ministers to similar health care systems across the country that are committed to value-based care and helps them succeed in the new health care environment, all while reducing cost and improving quality of care for patients.

About Geisinger
Geisinger Health System is an integrated health services organization widely recognized for its innovative use of the electronic health record, and the development of innovative care models such as ProvenHealth Navigator® and ProvenCare®. As one of the nation's largest rural health services organizations, Geisinger serves more than 2.6 million residents throughout 44 counties in central and northeast Pennsylvania. The physician-led system is comprised of more than 21,000 employees, including a 1,100-member multi-specialty group practice, eight hospital campuses, two research centers and a 467,000-member health plan, all of which leverage an estimated $7.4 billion positive impact on the Pennsylvania economy. The health system and the health plan have repeatedly garnered national accolades for integration, quality and service. In addition to fulfilling its patient care mission, Geisinger has a long-standing commitment to medical education, research and community service. For more information, visit www.geisinger.org, or follow the latest Geisinger news and more on Twitter and Facebook.

About xG Health Solutions™
xG Health Solutions' mission is to help health systems and others committed to high quality, value-based care succeed under risk-based payment arrangements. Our volume-to-value roadmap, care design and delivery, population health analytics, and financial optimization services are powered by Geisinger Health System's methods that have been proven to achieve best-in-class outcomes. xG Health is the primary provider of Geisinger's Healthcare Performance Improvement Intellectual Property. xG Health also provides experienced professionals to partner in developing and implementing strategies focused on improving quality and reducing cost of care over the long haul. For more information, visit xGHealth.com, or follow the latest xG Health news and more on LinkedIn or Twitter.

CONTACT:
Michael Ferlazzo: 570-214-7410
[email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131029/DC06304LOGO

SOURCE Geisinger Health System