Family Care Centers Inc

TO PREVENT ILLNESS, PROMOTE WELLNESS, AND RESTORE HEALTH IN THE POCONO AREA.

FAMILY CARE CENTERS INC. DBA LEHIGH VALLEY PHYSICIAN GROUP - POCONO (LVPG-P) PROMOTES THE EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF HIGH-QUALITY MEDICAL CARE IN AND AROUND THE STROUDSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA AREA AND MONROE COUNTY. LVPG-P ENGAGES IN ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH CARE OF PERSONS IN OUR SERVICE AREA, INCLUDING AMBULATORY, MEDICAL AND RELATED SERVICES FOR THE DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND CARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, CREED, AGE OR GENDER; BY AND THROUGH THE EMPLOYMENT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE, OF QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS AND OTHER MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.HISTORY AND BACKGROUND:LVPG-P WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1985 AS AN AFFILIATE OF THE POCONO HEALTH SYSTEM. AS A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION WHICH SUPPORTS BOTH THE LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL - POCONO (LVH-P) AND LEHIGH VALLEY HEALTH NETWORK, LVPG-P OPERATES SEVERAL PHYSICIANS' PRACTICES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FAMILY MEDICINE, HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY, INTERNAL MEDICINE, PSYCHIATRY, PEDIATRICS, CARDIOLOGY, GENERAL SURGERY, AND OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY. LVPG-P ALSO OPERATES 5 EXPRESSCARE LOCATIONS. ALSO, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES PHYSICIAN PRACTICE SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDING BILLING, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION HAS ENHANCED THE OUTPATIENT SERVICES AVAILABLE TO PERSONS IN THE AREA, INCLUDING SERVICES TO THE INDIGENT AND UNDERINSURED. LVPG-P IS DEDICATED TO SERVING OUR PATIENTS THROUGH THE DELIVERY OF HIGH QUALITY AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE. CONTINUED RECRUITMENT AND GROWTH ARE A FOCUS, WITH THE PURPOSE OF DELIVERING THE BEST RESOURCES AND SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. WITH A CURRENT SIZE OF APPROXIMATELY 70 PHYSICIANS AND 70 ADVANCED PRACTICE CLINICIANS, LVPG-P OPERATES AS A SINGLE ENTITY WITH SERVICES PROVIDED AT NUMEROUS LOCATIONS WITHIN THE MONROE COUNTY REGION. DURING THE CURRENT YEAR, LVPG-P PRACTICES HAD OVER 279,000 PATIENT VISITS. THE ORGANIZATION AIMS TO PROVIDE EXCELLENT QUALITY CARE TO OUR DIVERSE AND GROWING COMMUNITY AND STILL PROVIDE FOR NEEDED CAPITAL FOR THE FUTURE. ALL RESOURCES AND PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES ARE UTILIZED TO OFFER OUR PATIENTS QUALITY CARE THROUGH MULTIPLE SERVICE LINES. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: FAMILY PRACTICE, OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY, DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE, ONCOLOGY, ANESTHESIOLOGY SERVICES, CARDIOLOGY SERVICES, AND PULMONARY CARE.THE INTERNAL MEDICINE TEAM PAVES THE WAY IN PROVIDING SPECIALIZED CARE TO ADULT PATIENTS. AS PART OF THE POCONO HEALTH SYSTEM AND LEHIGH VALLEY HEALTH NETWORK, LVPG-P OFFERS THE FINEST PHYSICIANS AND TECHNOLOGY TO THE AREA AND CONNECTS THEM TO LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL - POCONO WHEN A GREAT DEGREE OF SERVICE IS REQUIRED. LVPG-P CONSTANTLY ASSESSES AND IMPROVES, WHEN POSSIBLE, EQUIPMENT USED, QUALITY REVIEW MEASURES, AND SCHEDULING CONSIDERATIONS IN ORDER TO MEET OR EXCEED THE STANDARD OF CARE EXPECTED FOR THESE SERVICES. TO FACILITATE CARE, MANY OF OUR PRACTICES OFFER MULTIPLE SITES AND EXTENDED OFFICE HOURS. OUR FACILITIES ARE IN AREAS THAT ARE CONSIDERED UNDERSERVED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.THE INPATIENT POCONO PSYCHIATRIC UNIT CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON RESTRAINT REDUCTIONS, FALL REDUCTION, AND INCREASED COMPLIANCE WITH TREATMENT PLAN REVIEWS. OTHER INITIATIVES INCLUDE THE TRANSMISSION OF PATIENT METABOLIC DATA TO THE PATIENT'S NEXT LEVEL OF CARE OR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER TO ENSURE CONTINUITY OF CARE. COVID-19 PANDEMIC: THE LVPG RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS BEEN TRANSFORMATIVE AND IMPACTFUL FOR BOTH THE ORGANIZATION AND OUR COMMUNITY. EARLY IN MARCH, LVPG-P QUICKLY TRANSITIONED ITS CLINICAL FOOTPRINT TO INCLUDE VIRTUAL CARE OFFERINGS, THROUGH VIDEO VISITS, PHONE VISITS AND E-VISITS. THESE MODALITIES REACHED A PEAK VOLUME IN MID-APRIL, COMPRISING UP TO 75% OF ALL AMBULATORY HEALTHCARE DELIVERY. THE VIRTUAL MODEL WAS ROLLED OUT ACROSS THE ENTIRE MEDICAL GROUP AND OPTIMIZED, ALLOWING ANY APPROPRIATE ENCOUNTER TO BE PERFORMED SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY. THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, LVPG-P HAS NOT WAVERED IN SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY WITH FACE TO FACE VISITS WHEN NEEDED. IN ADDITION TO THE VIRTUAL VISIT OFFERINGS DIRECT FROM LVPG-P CLINICIANS, THE LVPG-P PHYSICIAN AND APC WORKFORCE PROVIDED SUPPORT TO OUR CARES CENTER IN DELIVERING CENTRAL COMMUNITY COVID-19 VIRTUAL SUPPORT. THESE SERVICES INCLUDED SCREENING COVID-19 E-VISITS, ON DEMAND VIDEO SCREENING COVID-19 VISITS AND A TRANSITION OF CARE COVID-19 VIRTUAL CARE CLINIC FOR PATIENTS DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL. THESE TYPES OF ENCOUNTERS PROVIDED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VISITS TO OUR COMMUNITY OVER THE PAST YEAR THROUGHOUT THE COVID-19 CHALLENGES. THIS MODEL ENABLED PATIENTS TO STAY HOME, STAY SAFE AND RECEIVE CARE IN A MANNER THAT WAS CONVENIENT AND VALUE-ADDED.IN ADDITION TO THE VIRTUAL VISIT OFFERINGS DIRECT FROM LVPG-P CLINICIANS, THE LVPG WORKFORCE AND PRACTICE TEAM WORKED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR HOSPITAL SITES TO DELIVER VACCINES ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY. LVPG EFFORTS AS A WHOLE ADMINISTERED OVER 31,000 COVID-19 VACCINES TO PATIENTS THROUGHOUT THEIR CLINICS. THESE CLINICS SUPPORTED AREAS OF OUR PATIENT POPULATION ACROSS ALL REGIONS WE SERVE. OVERALL, IT SUPPORTED THE LARGER LVHN VACCINE DELIVERY MODEL, WHICH DELIVERED OVER 438,000 VACCINES TOTAL TO DATE TO OUR COMMUNITY.CARDIOLOGY SERVICES:LVPG - POCONO HAS MONROE COUNTY'S ONLY ON-SITE OPEN-HEART SURGERY PROGRAM, THE ONLY TEAM DESIGNATED TO TREAT HIGH-RISK HEART ATTACKS 24/7, AS WELL AS THE ONLY HOSPITAL-BASED VASCULAR SURGERY TEAM.GASTROENTEROLOGY:GASTROENTEROLOGY SERVICES ARE ALIGNED WITH THE TWIN RIVERS GASTROENTEROLOGY GROUP. WOMEN'S SERVICES: LVPG MAINTAINS A SPECIAL FOCUS ON PRENATAL CARE AS A COMPONENT OF ITS COMPREHENSIVE OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY SERVICES, INCLUDING GENERAL OBSTETRIC / GYNECOLOGIC CARE. A MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY PROGRAM WAS INSTITUTED IN FY2019 AND HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED THE VOLUME OF PREVENTIVE CHECKS PERFORMED SINCE THAT TIME.CANCER SERVICES:AS PART OF LEHIGH VALLEY CANCER INSTITUTE, THE DALE AND FRANCES HUGHES CANCER CENTER AT LVH - POCONO WAS EXTENDED MEMBERSHIP TO THE MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER ALLIANCE. FOR PATIENTS, THAT IS RECOGNITION OF THE TOP-NOTCH CARE AND ACCESSIBILITY OF INNOVATIVE TREATMENTS AND CLINICAL TRIALS THAT ARE AVAILABLE CLOSE TO HOME IN THE POCONO REGION. CANCER CARE PROGRAMS INCLUDE PREVENTION, DETECTION, DIAGNOSIS, THERAPY, CLINICAL TRIALS, REHABILITATION, AND THE EVALUATION OF CANCER-RELATED CARE. IN FY21, THE GENETIC COUNSELING PROGRAM WAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE SERVICES AT THE DALE & FRANCES HUGHES CANCER CENTER TO ALLOW FOR PATIENTS TO BE EVALUATED CLOSER TO HOME.PRIMARY CARE:LVPG PHYSICIANS AND PROVIDERS PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE, COORDINATED CARE TO ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN THE SETTING OF PATIENT-CENTERED MEDICAL HOMES. WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO CARE AT THE TIME OF NEED, FOCUS ON PREVENTION AND CHRONIC ILLNESS MANAGEMENT AND PROVIDE COORDINATION BETWEEN SPECIALIST AND SERVICE. IMPROVED QUALITY PERFORMANCE WAS NOTED IN THE AREA OF ANNUAL WELLNESS VISITS ACROSS THE PRIMARY CARE FOOTPRINT IN LVPG-P THROUGH DEDICATED EFFORT, INCLUDING A RN-LED MODEL.INFANTS/CHILDREN/YOUNG ADULTS:LVPG OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT PEDIATRIC MEDICAL CARE BY COMBINING A PHILOSOPHY OF PATIENT/FAMILY-CENTERED CARE WITH DIAGNOSTIC, MEDICAL AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUES. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS OF COMMUNITY AND HOSPITAL-BASED PHYSICIANS AND SUBSPECIALISTS. TELEMEDICINE PROGRAMS:LVHN HAS REMAINED A LEADER IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF INNOVATIVE TELEMEDICINE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE EXPANDED OUR CAPACITY TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY HEALTHCARE SERVICES THROUGHOUT OUR GROWING NETWORK AND BEYOND. TELEMEDICINE ALLOWS OUR TEAM TO OFFER SPECIALTY CARE TO SITES AND PATIENTS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THESE SERVICES. THROUGH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, AS NOTED, OUR TELEMEDICINE OFFERINGS HAVE EXPANDED EXPONENTIALLY TO INCLUDE VIDEO, PHONE AND E-VISITS. THE VIDEO VISITS INCLUDE NOT JUST CLINICIAN AND PATIENT ENCOUNTERS, BUT ALSO INCLUDE MULTIPARTY VIDEO CONFERENCES. E-CONSULT PROGRAM:THE DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE HAS CONTINUED TO PROMOTE INNOVATION IN OUR CARE DELIVERY MODEL. ONE MAJOR INNOVATION LAUNCHED IN 2018 WAS THE CREATION OF THE E-CONSULT PROGRAM. THIS NEW TOOL ALLOWED LVPG PROVIDERS TO POSE PATIENT-SPECIFIC, NON-URGENT QUESTIONS TO THEIR SPECIALIST COLLEAGUES IN MULTIPLE DISCIPLINES, REQUESTING PROVIDERS RECEIVE FEEDBACK WITHIN THREE WORKING DAYS. THE REQUESTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE FORMALLY EMBEDDED WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD AND BECOME PART OF THE LEGAL MEDICAL RECORD.

EXPRESSCARE: WITHIN LVPG-POCONO, THERE ARE MULTIPLE EXPRESSCARE LOCATIONS. OUR EXPRESSCARE SITES PROVIDE IMMEDIATE WALK-IN CARE TO THE COMMUNITY. WALK-IN APPOINTMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR COMMON ILLNESSES AND MINOR INJURIES, SUCH AS SPRAINS, CUTS, RASHES, SEASONAL ALLERGIES, FLU SYMPTOMS, BRONCHITIS, EAR INFECTIONS, SORE THROAT, FEVER AND MORE. IN ADDITION, THEY OFFER COVERAGE FOR ROUTINE SCHOOL PHYSICALS AND FOLLOW UP VACCINATIONS TO ALLOW FOR PATIENT CONVENIENCE. THIS CLINICAL CARE MODEL IS A LOWER COST, EASY ACCESS ALTERNATIVE FOR LOWER ACUITY PATIENTS AS COMPARED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THROUGHOUT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE EXPRESSCARE LOCATIONS WERE VITAL AT CREATING REGIONAL ASSESS-AND-TEST CENTERS, A VITAL RESOURCE TO OUR COMMUNITY. PROVIDING EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND SIMPLE WAYS FOR PATIENTS TO BE EVALUATED AND TESTED FOR COVID-19 WAS KEY TO ENSURING VIRAL MITIGATION. IN ADDITION, THESE LOCATIONS PROVIDED STAFFING SUPPORT FOR VIRTUAL CARE EXPRESS CARE VISITS. THEY PIVOTED TO PROVIDE CAR-SIDE SWABBING FOR COVID-19 SPECIMEN COLLECTION AND ONGOING COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND SUPPORT. OUR EXPRESSCARE COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL AT ENSURING DEDICATED ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CHNA):THE CHNA REPORT EXAMINES THE FACTORS THAT IMPACT THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN A PARTICULAR GEOGRAPHIC AREA. THE CHNA IS AN IMPORTANT OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT STATE OF HEALTH IN OUR REGION AND IDENTIFIES POTENTIAL AREAS OF CONCERN WHICH INFORMS CLINICAL PROGRAM DESIGN.THESE REPORTS WERE REVIEWED BY LVHN EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AT EACH CAMPUS, AND INITIAL HEALTH NEEDS WERE PRIORITIZED BASED ON THE COMMUNITY'S INPUT AND LVHN'S ABILITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON THAT HEALTH NEED. NEXT STEPS INCLUDE DEVELOPING STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS PRIORITIZED HEALTH NEEDS WHICH WILL BE PRESENTED IN LVHN'S CHNA IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.