REDESIGNING HEALTH CARE DELIVERY MODEL FOR SENIORS IN SOUTH KING COUNTY

Judson Park has become a part of the Rainier Health Networks Continuing Care Network and has partnered with Franciscan Health Systems and Northwest Physicians Network to deliver a contractual and collaborative healthcare model in South King County that helps bridge a gap between physicians, hospitals and skilled nursing providers. The Des Moines senior living community is among five subacute rehabilitation care providers selected to join the group’s newly-formed accountable care organization (ACO) in South King County to offer high-quality coordinated care to area seniors.

The goal of coordinating care among these health care entities is to ensure individuals have access to the care they need, when they need it, and in a cost-effective manner. The group focuses on the Triple Aim initiative, which adheres to the following three objectives: improving health by minimizing unnecessary treatment, duplication of services and hospitalizations; enhancing the experience and outcome of individuals receiving services; and being good stewards of financial and health care resources. According to Nikole Jay, executive director for Judson Park, The Village at Judson Park, which offers skilled nursing and short-stay subacute rehabilitation, expects to see enhanced levels of subacute care, higher resident satisfaction and creates the ability to serve more seniors from the greater community at Judson Park with the ACO partnership.

“We’ve been watching ACOs closely over the last few years, and proactively positioning our campus to exceed all necessary criteria to join a reputable ACO within South King County.
By demonstrating that we’re a team player and a reputable partner, we were invited to join as a continuing care network provider. With this newly formed group, there’s a lot of opportunity for enhancing transitions for individuals receiving care, and we’re pleased to have been selected to be a part of their network,” said Jay, who has been instrumental in securing the partnership. “It’s an important step in the ever-changing health care landscape, and we look forward to collaborating with doctors and hospitals, bettering our practices and processes, spending health care dollars more wisely and ultimately enhancing the patient experience.”

“Selecting new partners that make the Continuing Care Network work for our beneficiaries, physicians and the ACO requires skill, discipline, experience and time. Judson Park has the proven ability to bring these qualities to the ACO and we’re excited to partner with them,” said Maureen Pence, senior director of clinical operations at Northwest Physicians Network. “Care coordination is a continuous process, beginning before illness warrants hospitalization, continuing when hospitalization is necessary, and moving seamlessly back into the community. Partnering with Judson Park and their innovations in care coordination provides a lifelong model of longitudinal care that supports the ACO goals.”