Hard to believe it has been a month since we hired 8 staff to support healthcare redesign across a community.  2 more individuals will join us this week and soon the final data analyst position will be filled.  During this past month, we have built a cohesive team both excited and overwhelmed by the task ahead.  Role clarification is an ongoing process.  This is to be expected as roles have not existed quite like this before and the human dynamic of change and transition does not elude even the most talented and gifted staff.  Passion about the vision of patient-centered has not waned.   Some milestones achieved in the month include: 

• Identification of referral criteria for patients who need the services of a clinical care specialist, forms and the process of service have been developed.  The first patients were referred last week!  We are already making a difference in the lives of patients. 
• Development of a communication/document management website to post all work/documentas and teams that will implement the vision of a healthcare system across organizations is complete .  This site will work in partnership with Radio.  Feedback is welcome.
•  Began the data analysis of each organization's costs and payment for diabetes services in anticipation of Systems Dynamics modeling to occur this week. This has attracted the attention of Medicare Region 10 and congressional representatives.  Opportunity to highlight this work because of the leadership of Mark Donaldson of Group Health Cooperative has resulted in an important meeting of the minds tomorrowl.
• Networking and the building of relationships with the pilot sites has begun.  Visits to Fernadale Family Medical Center and Center for Senior Health has introduced the project staff to clinic staff who everyday strive to make a positive difference in the lives of patients in Whatcom County.
• Presentations have been made to community groups, hospital staff and a bi-weekly article called the Pursuing Perfection Corner has been launched in the St. Joseph Staff newsletter
• A single medication list across the community is closer to reality due to the excellent work of a CHF Medication Team under the guidance of Carol Boston-Fleischauer.  This team with 3 patients as full participants, retail pharmacy, and home health joined clinicans from the pilot sites to identifiy significant barriers to safety.  They have made recommendations about first steps and implementation teams will begin the work of process improvement in this area.

.......and we have just begun!

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