'U' prof. outlines health care improvements

In his new book titled "Designing 21st Century Healthcare," Public Health Prof. John Griffith outlines what it takes to distinguish a health care system at a level above the status quo.

With health care holding a unique place in society as one of few issues considered central to the survival of every man, woman and child, Griffith's study has a universal value.

Griffith said the three main attributes that set model health care systems apart from their competitors are "the quality that they administer, their ability to satisfy patients and their ability to control the cost of care."

A big part of accomplishing these goals is working together, he said. Part of this working together comes in the form of an evidence-based practice of medicine.

"Evidence-based medicine is the systematic search for the best way to treat a specific disease," Griffith said. When doctors work with each other to establish the most effective methods of treatment, not only are patients satisfied, but costs are kept down as well.

Griffith said the goal of every health care system should be to "use the best and most complete scientific medicine to work with doctors so that each patient gets exactly what they need."

Among the health care systems already implementing these techniques is Henry Ford Health System in Detroit.

Vin Sahney, senior vice president for planning and strategic development, said Henry Ford has in recent years increased the quality of their care by "reaching out into the community and doing more than just treating people when they get sick."

Henry Ford, in an effort to move away from hospitals and into more preventative health care, has developed a health care community with numerous clinics and educational facilities.

Sahney said that in order for a health care system to be successful, "it must view the community as stockholder." Henry Ford has and continues to do just that, he said.

Presently more than 60 new quality improvement projects are in place at Henry Ford. These projects are the ideas of staff in every area of the hospital ranging from nurses to nutritionists to elevator repair men.

One current quality improvement project is a 24-hour crisis line for cardiac patients. Not only has the line been effective in assisting patients, but the improvement has boosted the volume of cardiac patients by 44 percent. Sahney said projects like this have made Henry Ford special.

The model Henry Ford has set is one of hard work and willpower.

"They have worked very hard to (reform themselves) and have been very successful," said Griffith. Henry Ford's leadership in health care, as outlined in Griffith's book, has set a strong example of community outreach and diversification.

Community efforts in health care are going to be central to health care (improvement) as far as the eye can see," Griffith said.

09-17-98