New Chronic Care Management Program Brings Patients 24/7 Care
As you already know, North Sunflower Medical Center is constantly looking for innovative ways to improve care for our patients. This month we are launching an exciting new program that will provide individualized experiences that last beyond a single hospital visit.
We have always gotten to know our patients one-on-one. With the Chronic Care Management (CCM) program, patients will deal directly with the health care professionals who know them best. That care will continue out into the community.
“CCM is a new way of managing health care for our patients,’’ Patient Care Coordinator Sandy Tidmore tells us. “It is a personalized care plan specifically for that patient and their condition.’’
Tidmore has been with NSMC for the past eight years and the favorite part of her job is the people she gets to work with. And that’s just part of the reason why she’s in charge of the rollout of this important program.
The program is through Medicare, which is the federal health insurance for people over 65 and some younger people with disabilities. NSMC serves many seniors with chronic medical conditions. The program will allow us to easily follow up with them and make sure they get to the hospital for serious issues – and are able to stay home and be treated over the phone for minor things.
Once a patient joins the program, they will be assigned a nurse who becomes their personal connection to the hospital.
The nurse will call the patient each month to make sure they have their medicine refills and are following the best medical advice. For a patient with diabetes, they will check on their blood sugar and diet. Patients with hypertension may be asked to track their blood pressure.
“It is a team approach to providing our patients with the best care possible. It keeps them out of the emergency room and helps them from not having to make unnecessary medical visits. A lot of patients don’t have access to transportation. This will be a Godsend for them,’’ Tidmore says.
She said nurses will act as case workers, scheduling appointments when needed.
Tidmore tells us, “Patients with access to the plan will understand how to take care of themselves from home. This gives them access to us 24/7. They can call anytime. During the week, they can access their specific nurse.’’
She said the program will be particularly helpful as the pandemic continues, to keep patients at home except for necessary visits. People who have continuing issues like arthritis, asthma, heart disease, mental health and osteoporosis will greatly benefit from the specialized monitoring.
“We are striving for better health outcomes. We want to keep patients healthier,’’ Tidmore says.
“NSMC is on top of things in finding new treatment for patients.’’