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At the Hospitals
n A Clinic That Reduces Readmissions to make the switch. Formerly Carolinas hepatobiliary and pancreatic, head and
HealthCare System University, the hospital at neck, and urologic surgery, among others.
Atrium Health’s Transition Services 8800 N. Tryon St., has been providing care Internationally, Carolinas Medical Center is
provides patients an integrated approach to care to patients in the University City, Mint Hill, one of only 23 ERAS centers of excellence in
transitions, offering close, wrap-around care to North Mecklenburg and Southwest Cabarrus the world.
patients through follow-up appointments and regions for more than 30 years.
via Virtual Visits. “By leading a patient-centered, evidence-
The new name, Atrium Health, captures based approach to surgical recovery, Vrochides
Led by Stephanie Murphy, DO, Transition the essence of the organization and was has shown his commitment to high-quality
Services — which encompasses the Transition selected for its meaning: a place filled with care,” says Atrium Health’s Surgeon-in-Chief
Clinic and Heart Success (for heart failure light; a gathering ground where diverse Brent Matthews, MD. “This work has directly
patients) — shows a 35 percent reduction in thinkers come together and connections are improved patients’ recovery rates, and we look
readmission rates for patients who attend the made; and, literally, the chamber of the heart forward to expanding ERAS into additional
service when compared to usual care. where each and every heartbeat begins. specialty areas.”
Transition Services ensures patients gain While the system and hospitals names n Why Your Zip Code Matters More
confidence about following medically- may change, the heart of who they are Than Your Genetic Code
appropriate care outside of the hospital by remain the same, and patients continue to
providing them access to high-touch, wrap- receive the compassionate and world-class Did you know that 80 percent of health
around services with providers, pharmacists, care they have come to expect. outcomes can be attributed to one’s physical
care manager nurses, social workers, health environment, socioeconomic factors and
advocates, community paramedicine and n Dionisios Vrochides Elected President health behaviors? Atrium Health is committed
clinical nurses. to the communities it serves and has a formal
of ERAS® International Society community health strategy to meet at-risk
“Transition Services fits into the overall patient needs and those in underserved areas.
readmission strategy at Atrium Health by Dionisios Vrochides, MD, PhD, FACS, Alisahah Cole, MD, chief community impact
providing integrated and patient-centric FRCSC and vice chair of Quality of Outcomes officer at Atrium Health, took some time to
care,” says Dr. Murphy. “We meet the patients at Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center, explain what community health means and
where they are and provide them with the care has been inducted as president of the U.S. how Atrium Health is meeting the health
and resources they need to be successful in chapter of the ERAS (Enhanced Recovery needs of its communities.
the management of their illnesses, both in the after Surgery) International Society for 2018-
post-acute and in the chronic state. We teach 2020. Prior to his new role, he served as vice What is community health and how does it affect our
patients to self-manage their chronic medical president, president-elect and chair of Quality community as a whole?
illnesses and re-educate on appropriate levels Measurement and Improvement.
of care utilization.” We look at the health and well-being of our
“I am honored to be at the helm of community across different segments, such as
Transition Services is appropriate for the society as we grow and influence our patients and the impact we have on those
medically-complex patients with a high-risk recovery after surgery through education, coming through our doors and how we help
score (such as patients who are high users analytics and outcomes in the United support individuals to help them achieve and
and on multiple medications). It also serves States,” says Vrochides. “Giving healthcare maintain good health.
patients with high-risk diagnoses, such as professionals, patients and families the
sickle cell disease and pulmonary embolism/ tools they need to heal will continue to What are the barriers our community currently faces that
deep vein thrombosis, as well as high users of improve care across organizations.” affect how they can achieve or maintain good health?
emergency department services and patients
who return to the emergency department Vrochides will oversee the expansion At Atrium Health, we were intentional about
within 30 days of discharge. program of ERAS that includes both ERAS- making sure our community health priorities
qualified centers and ERAS centers of were community-driven, which led us to
n Atrium Health University City Unveils excellence. He also will be responsible for uncover the five main priorities:
optimizing the collaboration with ERAS
New Sign International Society, comprising nearly 200 • Reducing pediatric and adult obesity
ERAS centers around the world, and will • Improving mental health prevention
In December, Atrium Health unveiled a new lead efforts to optimize analytics as related to
hospital sign, reflecting the organizations’ compliance and outcomes. and treatment
name change. The hospital, located in • Reducing tobacco use
University City, was the first Charlotte facility Vrochides helped lead efforts at Atrium • Improving access to primary care,
Health to implement ERAS protocols within
the Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary service, which behavioral health and dental services
led to Carolinas Medical Center becoming • Focusing on social and economic
the first ERAS Society-accredited center
of excellence in the United States in 2016. needs, specifically food insecurity
Teams currently use ERAS pathways in major
surgical disciplines, including colorectal, To learn more about Atrium Health’s
Community Health involvement, visit
AtriumHealth.org/Community.
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