Schuylkill Health System Medical Group Inc

PROVIDING HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.

SCHUYLKILL HEALTH SYSTEM MEDICAL GROUP DBA LEHIGH VALLEY PHYSICIAN GROUP-SCHUYLKILL (LVPG-S) PROMOTES THE EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF HIGH-QUALITY MEDICAL CARE IN AND AROUND THE POTTSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA AREA AND SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. LVPG-S 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 BACKGROUNDLVPG-S WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1998 AS AN AFFILIATE OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL - SCHUYLKILL (PREVIOUSLY SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER EAST NORWEGIAN STREET AND SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER SOUTH JACKSON STREET). AS A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION WHICH SUPPORTS BOTH THE LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL - SCHUYLKILL (LVH-S) AND LEHIGH VALLEY HEALTH NETWORK, LVPG-S HAS DEVELOPED PHYSICIAN PRACTICES IN FAMILY AND INTERNAL MEDICINE, HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY, ORTHOPEDICS, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, PAIN MANAGEMENT, PULMONARY AND CRITICAL CARE, PEDIATRICS, AND PHYSIATRY. LVPG-S IS DEDICATED TO SERVING OUR PATIENTS THROUGH THE DELIVERY OF HIGH QUALITY AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE. WITH A CURRENT SIZE OF 28 PHYSICIANS AND 14 ADVANCED PRACTICE CLINICIANS, LVPG-S OPERATES AS A SINGLE ENTITY WITH SERVICES PROVIDED AT NUMEROUS LOCATIONS WITHIN THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY REGION. CONTINUED RECRUITMENT AND GROWTH ARE A FOCUS, WITH THE PURPOSE OF DELIVERING THE BEST RESOURCES AND SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2021, LVPG-S PRACTICES HAD >108,000 PATIENT VISITSCOVID-19 (C19) PANDEMIC: THE LVPG RESPONSE TO THE C19 PANDEMIC HAS BEEN TRANSFORMATIVE AND IMPACTFUL FOR BOTH THE ORGANIZATION AND OUR COMMUNITY. EARLY IN MARCH, LVPG 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 HAS NOT WAVERED IN SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY WITH FACE TO FACE VISITS WHEN NEEDED. IN ADDITION TO THE VIRTUAL VISIT OFFERINGS DIRECT FROM LVPG CLINICIANS, THE LVPG PHYSICIAN AND APC WORKFORCE PROVIDED SUPPORT TO OUR CARES CENTER IN DELIVERING CENTRAL COMMUNITY C19 VIRTUAL SUPPORT. THESE SERVICES INCLUDED SCREENING C19 E-VISITS, ON DEMAND VIDEO SCREENING C19 VISITS AND A TRANSITION OF CARE C19 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 C19 CHALLENGES. THIS MODEL ENABLED PATIENTS TO STAY HOME, STAY SAFE AND RECEIVE CARE IN A MANNER THAT WAS CONVENIENT AND VALUE-ADD.IN ADDITION TO THE VIRTUAL VISIT OFFERINGS DIRECT FROM LVPG CLINICIANS, THE LVPG WORKFORCE AND PRACTICE TEAM WORKED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR HOSPITAL SITES TO DELIVER VACCINES ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY. THE LVPG EFFORTS 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.PATIENT CARE PROGRAMSLVPG-S OFFERS A CONTINUUM OF HEALTH CARE PROMOTION, PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT TO THE COMMUNITY. OUTPATIENT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND ARE A PART OF A HEALTHCARE NETWORK ESTABLISHED BY LVPG-S AND LVH-S TO MEET THE MEDICAL AND SURGICAL NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY REGION. LVPG-S SERVES AS A MULTISPECIALTY PHYSICIAN GROUP WITH A SPECIAL FOCUS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:- CANCER SERVICES (HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY)- INTERNAL MEDICINE AND FAMILY MEDICINE PRIMARY CARE- CARDIOLOGY- ORTHOPEDICS- PAIN MANAGEMENT- SURGERY- PULMONARY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE- OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY- NEUROLOGY- ENDOCRINOLOGYCANCER SERVICES:CANCER CARE PROGRAMS INCLUDE PREVENTION, DETECTION, DIAGNOSIS, THERAPY, CLINICAL TRIALS, REHABILITATION AND THE EVALUATION OF CANCER-RELATED CARE. IN POTTSVILLE, YOU CAN SEE YOUR HEMATOLOGIST ONCOLOGIST, RECEIVE CHEMOTHERAPY INFUSIONS AND ACCESS ON-SITE LABORATORY DRAW SERVICES. A DEDICATED NURSE NAVIGATOR IS HERE FOR YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR CANCER JOURNEY. PRIMARY CARE:LVPG PHYSICIANS AND PROVIDERS PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE, COORDINATED CARE TO ADULTS AND CHILDREN. 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.AT LVPG-S, DEDICATED "PREVENTIVE SERVICES DAY" ARE SCHEDULED, WITH MEDICARE ANNUAL WELLNESS VISITS PERFORMED AS WELL AS MANY POINT-OF-CARE SERVICES. THE LVHN MOBILE MAMMOGRAM VAN CONTINUES TO BE ON-SITE TO PROVIDE SCREENING MAMMOGRAMS. MARKETING ASSISTED IN COMMUNICATION TO THE COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION, PATIENT GIFT BAGS WERE PROVIDED WITH LVPG / LVHN SERVICES INFORMATION, LVHN LOGO ITEMS, PENS, PILL CASES, BLOOD PRESSURE CARDS AND MEDICATION CARDS. 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 INCLUDING AN EXPRESS CARE SITE IN POTTSVILLE TO PROVIDE EXPANDED PRIMARY CARE ACCESS.THROUGHOUT THE C19 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 C19 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 C19 SPECIMEN COLLECTION AND ONGOING COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND SUPPORT. OUR EXPRESSCARE COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL AT ENSURING DEDICATED ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.WOMEN'S HEALTH SERVICES:LVPG MAINTAINS A SPECIAL FOCUS ON PRENATAL CARE AS A COMPONENT OF ITS COMPREHENSIVE OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY SERVICES, INCLUDING GENERAL OBSTETRIC / GYNECOLOGIC CARE.IN FY 2019 COMPREHENSIVE WOMEN'S HEALTH SERVICES MEDICAL GROUP BECAME PART OF LVPG- SCHUYLKILL. THIS GREATLY EXPANDED THE BREADTH OF SERVICES AVAILABLE IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. THE LVHN MOBILE MAMMOGRAM VAN WAS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS TO PROVIDE SCREENING MAMMOGRAMS AND HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED THE VOLUME OF PREVENTIVE CHECKS PERFORMED.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 C19 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. ECONSULT PROGRAM:LVPG CONTINUES TO PROMOTE INNOVATION IN OUR CARE DELIVERY MODEL. ONE MAJOR INNOVATION LAUNCHED IN 2018 WAS THE CREATION OF THE ECONSULT 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 EMR AND BECOME PART OF THE LEGAL MEDICAL RECORD.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.