As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently awarded Primary Care Health Services, Inc a grant totaling more than $1 million for capital improvements, including the adoption of an Electronic Medical Record System and a Electronic Dental Record System.

These funds will enable Primary Care Health Services, Inc to purchase a CCHIT-certified EMR system that can measurably improve our workflow and the level of care we're able to offer the patients that rely upon our centers each year.

As part of Pennsylvania’s Chronic Care Initiative, Primary Care Health Services, Inc. is collaborating with other southwestern PA medical stakeholders in order to improve care and results and decrease costs

The Initiative grows from undeniable evidence that proactive instead of reactive treatment to chronic conditions produces better results and saves more money.  Put another way, early, up-front, consistent intervention keeps those with chronic conditions healthier, and saves individuals, families, service providers, insurers, and governments -- everyone involved -- more money in the long run when compared with limiting services as a means to controlling costs. 1

As Initiative participants, we are redesigning our practice to more effectively care for chronically ill patients, including:

1. better helping patients to manage illnesses through culturally relevant education
2. making treatment decisions based on proven best practices and up to date evidence from scientific studies rather than presupposing traditional treatment methods
3. using disease registries which easily and quickly highlight changes in health status
4. identifying resources and programs within the community which help to support healthy living
5. collaborating with insurers to create patient and provider incentives for effective chronic disease management
6. measuring and evaluating outcomes

PCHS and other collaborators have begun implementing these changes by focusing on Diabetes, with a future plan to expand to all chronic diseases.

1 Chronic Care Management, Reimbursement and Cost Reduction Commission (2008) PRESCRIPTION FOR PENNSYLVANIA Right State Right Plan Right Now: STRATEGIC PLAN.