Improving Diabetes Prevention and Management

Project Title

Improving Diabetes Outcomes at New York State Hospital Outpatient Clinics: Year 1

Grant Amount

$320,000

Priority Area

Improving Diabetes Prevention and Management

Date Awarded

June 2, 2009

Region

Capital Region

Status

Closed

Website

http://www.hanys.org/

SEE GRANT OUTCOMES

The Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) represents an important cohort of primary care providers in New York. Of the 206 hospitals that are part of HANYS, there are more than 160 hospitals with ambulatory clinics that receive more than 11.3 million clinic visits a year.

In addition, several of the outpatient departments report that more than 70% of their patient population is covered by Medicaid. In 2008, the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) launched its NYHealth Diabetes Campaign in response to the growing epidemic of diabetes across the State. To advance the Campaign among hospital outpatient clinics, NYHealth made a grant to HANYS to engage its network of outpatient health clinics, and provide them with technical assistance to adopt a new model of care to improve the care and outcomes of patients with diabetes.

The addition of the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) as a fourth partner will address our third target audience: outpatient departments. HANYS represents 550 not-for-profit and public hospitals, nursing homes, and home care organizations across the State and includes 154 outpatient departments, also known as hospital-owned clinics. These health centers reported more than 11 million clinic visits in 2006. In New York City, a myriad of these outpatient departments serve as the only access to primary care for low-income residents—several of the outpatient departments report over 70% of their patient population are covered by Medicaid. Engaging the providers of these health centers is an important task of the NYHealth Diabetes Campaign.

This project presents an important opportunity to improve outcomes for New Yorkers with diabetes, including reducing diabetes complications and hospitalizations that could be avoided if patients receive the care they need in outpatient settings. HANYS will provide technical assistance to its members by telephone, on-site visits, and through webinar technology depending on the needs of the provider or site. It will contract with at least two diabetes physician experts who will provide trainings and help providers and sites solve difficult clinical issues, such as patients who have special problems controlling their diabetes. HANYS also will provide regionally based training sessions in areas with great need or activity.