Chief Medical Officer published in JAMA

Milford Regional Medical Center’s Chief Medical Officer Peter Smulowitz, MD, MPH was the lead author of an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine. The article, Association of Functional Status, Cognition, Social Support, and Geriatric Syndrome With Admission From the Emergency Department, examines the results of a study that evaluated key factors associated with admitting older patients to the hospital following their visit to the Emergency Department.

“We know that Emergency Department clinicians factor in the medical condition and how “sick” a patient is when determining whether a patient needs to be admitted or not,” said Smulowitz. “However, there are a number of other often overlooked factors that play into this decision, among which are some common challenges associated with an aging population.”

In the cohort study of 42,392 Emergency Department visits by 11,783 unique patients, the key finding indicates that functional status, cognitive status and social supports were associated with an increase in the likelihood of admission from the Emergency Department.

The study’s data makes evident the connection between certain patientlevel factors and whether there is a perceived need to admit. “This study demonstrates that specifically physicians seem to recognize these factors and take them into consideration when deciding whether to admit older patients or not,” Smulowitz said.

According to Smulowitz, understanding these factors should encourage health systems and insurers to invest more resources to support older adults who do not require hospitalizations, from a medical standpoint.

“This could mean an investment in case management, home health, support for personal care attendants, staffing for units for patients with cognitive decline, and other mechanisms to help keep our older adults safely out of the hospital,” said Smulowitz. “It also points out the important role that families can play in supporting their older relatives. With an aging population, there is going to be a greater need for families to play an active role in the care of their loved ones, especially in order to prevent them from a trip to the hospital.”

JAMA Internal Medicine is a monthly, peer-reviewed medical journal published by the American Medical Association.

Co-Authors of the published piece include: Gabe Weinreb, BA; J. Michael McWilliams, MD, PhD; A. James O’Malley, MS, PhD; and Bruce E. Landon, MD, MBA, MSc.

John Sullivan recently joined Milford Regional Medical Center as the Director of Materials Management. In his new role, Sullivan is responsible for overseeing and directing the operations of the Materials Management Department as it relates to purchasing, receiving, distribution, storage, inventory control, forms management, mailroom and printing. He also oversees the acquisition, utilization, distribution and maintenance of equipment and supplies used throughout the hospital.

Sullivan has more than 20 years of experience in materials management working exclusively in the healthcare industry. Prior to his position at Milford Regional, he served as system director of purchasing for Tufts Medicine. He was also employed as director of supply chain for Lowell General Hospital/Circle Health, as well as corporate purchasing manager for Partners’ Healthcare System, Inc.

“We feel incredibly fortunate that John has joined Milford Regional in this instrumental role that helps keep our hospital running smoothly and efficiently,” said Milford Regional’s Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Finance Beth Cadle. “His two decades of experience in healthcare materials management will prove to be a very valuable asset to so many.” Sullivan received his Master of Business Administration from UMass Lowell and his Bachelor of Science from Bentley College.

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