ATLANTA, Nov. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Noting that care fragmentation between primary care physicians and other caregivers could mitigate the benefits of promising Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) models, Gordon Norman, M.D., chief innovation officer for [ Alere ], will outline key strategies and solutions during his keynote presentation at the World Congress Leadership Summit (WCLS) on Thursday, November 18 (8:15 a.m.—9:15 a.m.) in San Diego.

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In the PCMH model, a team of health professionals, coordinated by a personal physician, work collaboratively to provide high levels of care, including preventive services, treatment of acute and chronic illness and assistance with end-of-life issues. The PCMH practice is responsible for providing for all of a patient's healthcare needs or appropriately arranging care with other qualified professionals.

Norman will be joined on Thursday by Larry S. Fields, M.D., past president of the American Academy or Family Physicians (AAFP) and Joanne Shear, MS, RNP-BC, clinical program manager, primary care, Office of Patient Care Services for the Veteran's Administration, to discuss PCMH and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) as the solution for better healthcare and lower overall costs.

"If we are going to realize the potential of the Patient Centered Medical Homes, we have to find ways to address fundamental questions related to the role of physicians across the care continuum, address coordination with hospitals and use technology that can help make it all happen," says Norman. "Successful medical homes of the future will require physicians working within virtual medical communities vs. onsite care management. All physicians must be able to connect and collaborate using shared technology and health information to make all of this happen."

Alere, a leading health and wellness company, is focused on making PCMH and ACOs feasible through the use of its [ collaborative care platform ]. Incorporating this platform provides better coordination, improved integration and better care for patients with chronic illnesses. Participating employers and health plan wellness programs also benefit from better outcomes, and when properly implemented, lower costs.

Norman believes that the potential benefits of PCMH are significant. Annual outcomes for health care organizations implementing major medical home pilots show reductions in hospital admissions of up to 40% and savings per patient of up to $640 per member, per year. In addition, such models are vital in today's era of shortages of primary care physicians. According to the American Medical Association, there will be shortages of up to 60,000 primary care physicians by 2015.

The key to making the PCMH model economically viable, according to industry experts, is to use the model to rebuild and strengthen primary care. This includes reforming payment methodologies rewarding quality and outcomes, better coordinating care and communication through technology, and using evidence-based decision support systems. Also important in this equation is the creation of "medical neighborhoods" − communities of caregivers, hospitals, physicians, etc. dedicated to the health and well-being of specific communities.

During his presentation, Norman will highlight the necessity for collaborative care technologies that will reduce care fragmentation among primary care physicians and other caregivers by promoting information sharing and greater accountability.

"This is a model well worth the investment of healthcare organizations and providers," states Norman. "Through better care coordination and collaboration between the primary care physician and all other caregivers (e.g., other physicians, specialists, case managers, health coaches, etc.) patients will benefit from less fragmented care, improved outcomes and a better healthcare experience."

For more information on the presentation or on the World Congress Leadership Summit, go to [ www.worldcongress.com ]

About Alere:

[ Alere Health ] is the health management services business of Alere Inc. (previously Inverness Medical Innovations) (NYSE: ALR). Alere, a Latin verb, meaning "to care for" or "to support", offers the most patient-centered health management services available from a single provider in the industry. Alere provides health interventions that cover an individual's entire lifespan, from pre-cradle to end-of-life care, as well as the continuum from wellness and prevention, to total health management of the individual for those having chronic illnesses. Alere's continuum of services begins with genetic testing, preconception, pregnancy, NICU and first year of life services; continues with lifelong programs focused on health, wellness and the management of chronic conditions such as heart failure, COPD, and asthma, up to the complex care management required in end-of-life care. For more information regarding Alere, please visit [ www.alere.com ].

SOURCE Alere Health

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