The Hitachi Foundation recognizes High Plains Community Health Center

COLORADO COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER RECOGNIZED AS NATIONAL MODEL FOR HEALTHCARE AND EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

LAMAR, CO October 10, 2013 – A new case study and video released by The Hitachi Foundation recognizes High Plains Community Health Center in Lamar, CO as an exemplary healthcare provider and employer that can serve as a national model for healthcare reform.

Since undergoing a clinical transformation project 12 years ago, High Plains’ physician productivity and clinical outcomes have generated dramatic improvements. The clinic increased productivity from an average of 1.8 patients per hour to 3 patients per hour, saving nearly $500,000 per year – or 10% of the High Plains’ overall budget. Patient care has also seen impressive improvements. Outcomes for diabetic patients, for example, now exceed national benchmarks. A critical primary care provider in its region, High Plains serves 8,000 of Prowers County’s 14,000 residents every year.

A key to their success has been the development and training of medical assistant teams, who function as “patient facilitators” in the clinic – working to manage patient flow, decrease wait times and improve the overall patient experience.  High Plains also leverages their model through effective use of technology and a team-based approach to care. “We’re not located in a place where it’s easy to hire doctors or nurses. So we couldn’t solve our problems just through recruiting – we had to come up with a different approach,” said High Plains’ Executive Director Jay Brooke, “And I think many rural health centers find themselves in a similar position today.”

“With the recent opening of the healthcare exchanges and the upcoming Medicaid expansions, many safety net clinics will face a flood of patients entering the healthcare system for the first time” said Barbara Dyer, The Hitachi Foundation’s President and CEO. “Rural clinics may be particularly hard pressed.  For them, High Plains is a terrific model – they’ve shown that it really is possible to reduce costs while dramatically improving outcomes.”

High Plains also is featured in Doing Well and Doing Good, a recent report by The Hitachi Foundation that profiles healthcare and manufacturing companies helping workers gain skills, retain their jobs, advance their careers, and generate greater value.  The companies profiled in the report enjoyed higher profits, increased productivity, and (in the case of healthcare) better patient outcomes.

The High Plains Community Health Center video was produced by Run Riot Films with funding from The Hitachi Foundation. For every view of this video between now and December 1st, The Hitachi Foundation will donate $1 to High Plains, to a maximum of $5,000.

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The Hitachi Foundation is an independent, philanthropic organization that seeks to discover and expand business practices that create tangible, enduring economic benefits for low-wealth Americans and enhance long-term business value.www.hitachifoundation.org

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