FT Health Systems Specialist: Health Systems in Deep Struggle to Coordinate Resources
Health System Specialist, a publication from the Financial Times, reported on the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative in an article, "Health Systems in Deep Struggle to Coordinate Resources While Exorcising 'Social Determinants of Health'."
"Sometimes social determinants are easier to identify: A person’s age, for instance, may be a good indicator that a unique approach to healthcare is a good idea. In 2017, several health systems joined together in a collaborative called Age-Friendly Health Systems, an initiative supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. The aim of the initiative is to create a working framework by which hospitals better address the clinical and social needs of elderly patients, explains Terry Fulmer, Ph.D., President of The John A Hartford Foundation."
"Among the five hospital systems that signed up for the project – Anne Arundel Medical Center, Ascension, Kaiser Permanente, Providence St. Joseph Health and Trinity Health – multiple programs are underway to improve how the health system approaches care for older adults. At Kaiser’s Woodland Hills, Calif. facility, patients are greeted with a “getting to know you” questionnaire, which helps identify patients’ social habits and activities, such as hobbies and favorite foods, so that providers can better tailor their interactions. Patients also are encouraged to bring items from home to personalize the hospital stay."
To go to the article, click here.