Clinical non clinical partnerships

National Center for Health Care Capacity Building

Clinical/Non-Clinical Partnerships in HIV Care

Clinical/Non-Clinical Partnerships in HIV Care Why are partnerships needed?

With the changes of comprehensive health reform and declining resources, the HIV health care delivery system is fluctuating and fracturing. The shifting health care landscape creates a need for partnerships between organizations and institutions that have historically remained independent. For patients with HIV, specialty and primary care comes from an array of providers in multiple delivery settings. Integrating care through a clinical/non-clinical partnership can reduce the subsequent frustrations, miscommunications, waste and duplications, and improve health outcomes.

Key Components to Building Partnerships: 1. Each clinical/non-clinical partnership should be based on a common purpose, whether it is financial or health outcome.

2. Honest communication regarding expectations, commitments and resources are necessary in order for partnerships to succeed. Clear communication methods, both by phone and face-to-face are essential.

3. Identify a champion from both the clinical and non-clinical sides of the partnership to speak positively about the partnership in their respective fields, to keep the group focused on the community needs and goals, and to move the project forward.1 4. A Strategic Business Agreement must be composed and should include means of funding, the scope of data sharing, the extent of activities and services rendered, a timeline for implementing and evaluating the partnership, and each institution’s expectations of the partnership.2 5. Financial clarity and sustainability must be a priority from the beginning of every clinical/non-clinical partnership.

6. Data sharing through clinical/non-clinical partnerships guarantees health information is current and accessible for both clinical and non-clinical services to support patients across the HIV Care Continuum.3 7. The HIPPA Privacy Rule does permit institutions to use and share an individual’s health information for treatment and payment within certain, specified limitations, without procuring the individual’s consent.2 8. Technology should be used for group registries in order for medical information to be accessed by all providers at any point in time.2 9. Integrated Care Teams, often established as a result of clinical/non-clinical partnerships, are coordinated teams of health professionals dedicated to the wellness, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of their patients. The health professionals work collaboratively, integrating behavioral health, primary care and specialty care to address the 3D needs of the patient.

10. Monitoring and evaluating of partnerships should be conducted and used for continuous, quality improvement.1

Clinical/Non-Clinical Partnerships in Action Partnership Between a Health System and a Non-Profit Organization4 Institutions Location

Mount Sinai Beth Israel Health System and The Louis Armstrong Department of Music Therapy New York City, NY

Type of Partnership

Partial Co-Location Arrangement

Finances

Separate coding and billing; Partnership is externally funded

Data Sharing

Limited to name and ailment of patient

Additional Information

Clinical inpatient services are offered in conjunction with outpatient treatment to continue support and care

Partnership Between a University and a Public Health Bureau5 Institutions Location Type of Partnership Finances Data Sharing Additional Information

The West Virginia University of Health Services Research and the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health West Virginia Referral Arrangement and Program Implementation Funded by the West Virginia University of Health Services Research Share quarterly de-identified electronic patient registry and health record data based on partnership memorandum An increased use of data sharing resulted in improved tracking of clinical indicators and statistically significant improvements in some key diabetes outcomes.

References 1. University of North Carolina. Partners in Health: How Public Health and Primary Care Can Work Together in Prevention. 2009. Available at http://www.partnersinhealth.unc.edu/PiH_Manual.pdf.

2. National Association of Community Health Centers. Partnerships between Federally Qualified Health Centers and Local Health Departments for Engaging in the Development of a Community-Based System of Care. National Association of County and City Health Officials. Oct. 2010. Available at http://www.naccho.org/topics/hpdp/upload/partnerships-between-fqhcs-and-lhds_final_11_03_10.pdf.

3. VA/DoD Health Information Sharing. VA/DoD Health Partnership. United States Department of Veterans Affairs. August 12, 2013. Available at http://go.usa.gov/YMmh. 4. Mount Sinai Health System. Department/Service Line. Mount Sinai Health System - Affiliation: Department/Service Line. 2014. Available at http://www.sinai.org/.

5. Baus A. Lasting Partnerships. Rockville, MD: RC Publications, 2011. HSC. The HSC Foundation, 2011.

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