HJAR Jan/Feb 2020

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  JAN / FEB 2020 27 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalAR.com Pa., and a fellowship in plastic and reconstruc- tive surgery at Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Fla. Arkansas Health Network Successfully Saves Employer and Government Organizations More Than $14Million in Healthcare Costs The Arkansas Health Network (AHN) achieved $14,753,604 in healthcare savings for contracted organizations operating within the state during the most recent performance year. These sav- ings positively impacted over 34,000 patients across three of AHN’s distinct programs: Medi- care Shared Savings Program (an Accountable Care Organization), CHI St. Vincent Employee Health Plan, and QualChoice Advantage. AHN was awarded $7,922,844 by both governmental and commercial payors in recognition of the total cost savings and quality improvements driven by the network. AHN, the largest and most successful clinically integrated network serving Arkansas patients, providers, and employers, achieved its successes by utilizing best practices including an engaged network of providers practicing evidence-based guidelines, multidisciplinary care management teams and the use of clinical and claims data to drive proactive patient outreach and focused quality improvement. Consistent application of these practices drive desirable outcomes includ- ing better health for patients, reduced healthcare costs and increased quality and experiences of care for patients and their families. “With the rising cost of healthcare and the growing concern that poses for employers and patients across Arkansas, these savings make clear that strategic management of care can lead to both lower costs and a healthier workforce,” said AHN President Bob Sarkar. “In addition to leveraging technology to identify the areas of greatest need, we’re able to successfully imple- ment a preventative, holistic approach to care that better addresses health concerns before they devolve into expensive, chronic, and acute conditions.” AHN also established an industry-unique part- nership with Arkansas Children’s Care Network (ACCN) in 2018 which offers Arkansas self-funded employers a unique healthcare delivery model that includes access to an enhanced network of more than 2,200 healthcare providers and care management which will serve the whole family, from birth to retirement. Working in coordination, the two physician-led, clinically integrated net- works focus on identifying high risk patients and opportunities for cost and quality improvement such as switching from brand name to generic medication and ensuring health plan members receive appropriate preventative screenings each year. Then care management teams comprised of RN Health Coaches, Social Workers, RN Tran- sition Coaches and Pharmacists interact directly with participants to help them better manage chronic diseases, overcome social barriers to care and assist patients after hospital or office visits to support adherence to treatment plans. In 2020, AHN and ACCN have already been selected to bring their full model of care to Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s health plan in Cen- tral Arkansas and are currently in discussion with other employers, demonstrating that it is possi- ble to improve employee wellness while reduc- ing the growth of health plan costs to employ- ers. Arkansas Health Network was also selected on Oct. 10 to open a clinic at Port of Little Rock Industrial Park in partnership with CHI St. Vincent. UAMS Baptist Health Orthopaedic Clinic-Conway Welcomes Dr. SeanMorell Sean Morell, MD, recently joined UAMS Bap- tist Health Orthopaedic Clinic-Conway, provid- ing care for a wide range of problems with the hand, wrist and forearm. Morell, a native of Russellville, received his medical education from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where he also completed his residency in orthopedics. The physician’s train- ing also includes a fellowship at the University of Colorado-Denver. “Not all hand and upper extremity problems are the same, and I strive to treat the patient more so than the disease,” Morell said. “I enjoy inform- ing my patients of the options in their treatment and allowing them to reach a decision that fits their needs.” UAMS and Baptist Health-Conway have teamed up to provide complete orthopedic services, giv- ing patients at UAMS Baptist Health Orthopae- dic Clinic-Conway the expertise of the state’s largest fellowship-trained orthopedic team com- bined with the state’s largest, most comprehen- sive healthcare network. MercyWelcomes New Pediatrician to Fort Smith Dr. Kody Nichols, a board-certified pediatri- cian, recently joined Mercy Clinic Pediatrics in Fort Smith. Nichols received a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith and a medical degree from the University of Arkan- sas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. He was the chief pediatric resident at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. UAMS Receives Accreditation for Nurse Anesthesia Program The University of Arkansas for Medical Science (UAMS) College of Nursing has been accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anes- thesia Educational Programs to educate nurse anesthetists. “Creating a nurse anesthesia program fits within UAMS’s larger strategic goals of embracing inno- vative programs and new approaches to train tomorrow’s healthcare workforce and improve healthcare for all Arkansans,” said UAMS Chan- cellor Cam Patterson, MD, MBA. A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) administers and monitors anesthesia as patients undergo surgical procedures. They can work in a variety of healthcare environments, such as tradi- tional hospital operating rooms, standalone surgi- cal centers and dental surgery practices. Sean Morell, MD