Innovative Population Health Model Associated With Reduced Emergency Department Use And Inpatient Hospitalizations

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Healthcare Management
• Community Health

Background:

• Rising emergency department (ED) use and inpatient hospitalizations pose significant costs, particularly in underserved communities.
• Addressing social determinants of health is crucial for effective population health strategies.
• Baylor Scott & White Health sought to mitigate increasing healthcare utilization in a low-socioeconomic Dallas community.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a novel population health strategy on ED and inpatient care use.
• To assess the effectiveness of integrating primary care, wellness, and prevention services within a community setting.

Main Methods:

• Established a primary care clinic, the Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center, within a Dallas recreational center in partnership with the Dallas Park and Recreation Department.
• Integrated social determinants of health and wellness programs into the clinic's services.
• Monitored ED and inpatient care utilization for 12 months post-initiation of the center's services.

Main Results:

• Patients utilizing the Health and Wellness Center demonstrated a 21.4% reduction in ED use.
• Inpatient care use decreased by 36.7% among center users.
• Significant cost savings were observed, with average cost decreases of 34.5% for ED visits and 54.4% for inpatient care.

Conclusions:

• Integrating primary care and wellness programs in accessible community locations is an effective population health strategy.
• This model successfully reduced costly emergency services utilization and associated expenses.
• Addressing social determinants of health within a primary care setting can yield substantial improvements in healthcare efficiency and cost-effectiveness.