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OSF Saint Anthony’s says it is transforming primary care in the area

By DAVID W. PRUITT
p14 both    ALTON – One year into the historical affiliation of Saint Anthony’s Health Center and OSF HealthCare System, OSF Saint Anthony’s is transforming health care in the River Bend, its leaders say.
    The Health Center recently completed a $2.7 million renovation of the Saint Anthony’s Physician’s Group, Suite 205. The total redesign of the 11,000-square-foot suite allows for a patient-centric environment.
    “OSF Saint Anthony’s and Saint Anthony’s Physician Group continue to be committed to providing the highest quality care to our patients,” said Ajay Pathak, president of OSF Saint Anthony’s. “The newly renovated primary care office allows us to better serve our patients with improved flow, expanded examination rooms and outpatient laboratory, as well as the addition of state-of-the-art technology for patients’ health records.”
    The suite focuses on the patient and transforms the way they will receive their health care. The additions include:
    – 24 modernized patient exam rooms with computer workstations
    – State-of-the-art electronic health record system
    – Outpatient laboratory
    – Private intake areas
    – Kiosks for self check-in, if desired
    “This transformation gives us the opportunity to provide patient-focused, high-quality, team-based care,” said Pathak. “And the use of electronic health records will allow for a seamless flow of information between different health-care providers.”
    The suite will be wired with Epic, a nationally recognized electronic health record system that connects a patient’s record in the physician office to a patient’s record at the hospital.
    The computer workstations in each exam room allow the physician easy access to a patient’s chart. Patients of Saint Anthony’s Physician Group and OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center have access to their health records through MyHealth, a free patient portal within the Epic system. With MyHealth, patients can securely access the internet to view portions of their medical record, such as test and lab results, prescription renewal and more.
    Pathak said the team-based and collaborative approach will result in a more efficient and functional workflow for staff while, at the same time, ensure continued respect and dignity for patients.
    “Our focus is providing the highest quality care for the communities we serve,” Pathak said. “OSF HealthCare is recognized as one of Medicare’s Accountable Care Organizations, so we’re constantly looking to improve the quality of care while reducing costs.”
    The Centers for Medicare & Medical Services started the Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) program to encourage providers and caregivers to deliver more coordinated care for Medicare beneficiaries. In January 2012, OSF HealthCare System became a pioneer ACO with a commitment of giving Medicare patients, particularly those with chronic conditions, the right care at the right time while avoiding duplication of services.
    “We will continue to work diligently at transforming care in the River Bend,” Pathak said. “The most exciting thing is to see how hard our Physicians and Mission Partners are working to improve the quality of care of all our patients.”
    The primary care physicians and providers of Saint Anthony’s Physician Group are under the leadership of Dr. Edward Blair, medical director; David Wells, regional administrator; and Lauren Bowman, practice manager.
    “In addition, we would like to thank the local contractors that worked on the renovation efforts,” said Pathak. “These companies are crucial to the continued economic development of the entire area.”
    Area partners that worked on the project include: Helmkamp Construction Company; Kane Mechanical; Wegman Electric; Phone Masters; Picture This & More; Slayden Glass; Acoustical Ceiling Specialist; BSA Life Structures; Flooring Systems; Golterman & Sabo Acoustics; Hayden Wrecking; KJWW Engineering Consultants; PM Leach Painting; and Southern Illinois Interiors.
    
About OSF HealthCare
    OSF HealthCare, an integrated health system owned and operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, Peoria, Ill., includes OSF HealthCare System consisting of 11 acute care facilities and two colleges of nursing. It also has a physician organization, OSF Medical Group. To align more closely our care delivery system with physicians, we developed clinical service lines in cardiovascular services, neurosciences and pediatrics.
    OSF employs almost 700 physicians and nearly 300 mid-level providers operating in more than 90 office sites. OSF HealthCare owns an extensive network of home health services known as OSF Home Care Services and also owns OSF Saint Francis, Inc., comprised of health-care-related businesses, and OSF HealthCare Foundation, the philanthropic arm for OSF HealthCare System and OSF Home Care Services.
    
About OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center
    OSF Saint Anthony’s has been rooted in the greater Alton community for 90 years. Established by The Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George and sponsored by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, the 203-bed health system operates with two main campuses – OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center and OSF Saint Clare’s Hospital.
    The Health Center, recognized by The Joint Commission as a Top Provider for Key Quality Measures, is home to advanced cancer, stroke and heart technology, nationally-certified imaging, oncology and rehabilitative services, advanced surgical services, a wound center and an emergency room.

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