Imagine: D-H Keene/Cheshire Medical Center has long been central to improving the health of the communities in your service area. What are your current goals for the community?
“Our efforts have reduced admissions due to respiratory ailments by 48 percent.”
Dr. Caruso: Our “Healthy Monadnock 2020” initiative has a goal to make the Monadnock region the healthiest community in the nation by 2020. We’re engaging community organizations (businesses, non-profits, churches and schools) to become health champions and help us improve the environments in which we all live, learn, work and play to make the healthy choice the easy choice for all. On our own campus this translates into increasing access to healthy food through our cafeteria’s low-cost salad bar, offering a seasonal farmer’s market and increasing opportunities for physical activity with our 1.5 mile walking path and “Take the Stairs” campaign. Recently, our Healthy Monadnock work was recognized by the American Hospital Association (AHA) with the Carolyn Boone Lewis Living the Vision Award. The award is given only when an institution fits the AHA’s vision of a “society of healthy communities where all individuals reach their highest potential for health.” This award is a tremendous honor for our staff, physicians and community.
Imagine: How is D-H Keene/Cheshire Medical Center increasing the value of health care by focusing on high-quality care at lower costs? Dr. Caruso: As primary care providers, we can reduce costly hospital admissions and readmissions by focusing on disease prevention and chronic disease management. Our efforts have reduced admissions due to respiratory ailments by 48 percent. And, by checking in with patients within 24 hours of their discharge, our care coordinators have lowered the overall readmission rate to eight percent. Well beyond saving money, prevention saves lives. Here in Cheshire County, for example, coronary artery disease is the leading cause of disability and death. We implemented a new blood pressure initiative and care delivery model and have improved blood pressure control (readings of less than 140/90) from 69 percent of patients in 2010 to over 84 percent of patients in 2013. This included all providers at D-H Keene/Cheshire Medical Center— including satellite offices and specialty departments—and community partners such as the Keene Family YMCA, Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services, area workplaces, etc. Now, when a person has their blood pressure checked in select places around our community, they’re being referred to D-H Keene services that will help them avoid a health crisis.
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