Change is in the air….

We are proud to announce that as of November 1, 2012, we will be part of the Boulder Community Hospital network of physicians.

Most of our patients want to know what this means to them as individuals. Nothing will change in terms of your access to our office or your care as a result of this change. Joining Boulder Community Hospital does mean that we will be changing electronic records, so please bear with us as we get up to speed.

Joining our community non-profit hospital system heralds, in my mind, the beginning of a movement toward integrated care for populations of patients. If that sounds too impersonal, please consider that this change will allow us to provide an even higher level of patient-centered, individualized care with shared decision-making with you, our patients.

These are all relatively new concepts in the delivery of health care and we are on the cutting edge of these innovations.

Spruce Street has been chosen as one of the 73 practices in Colorado (and only 500 in the nation) to participate in a ground-breaking experiment sponsored by the Center for Medicare Services and other health care payors throughout the country to provide comprehensive care for our patient population. This pilot program is called the Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative (CPCI). A great deal of funding has been committed to this endeavor.

The goals of this pilot program are to lower health care costs AND provide better care by providing funds for care coordination and for “non-visit” protocols. What this means is that instead of focusing on how we will be reimbursed for all of our time—which includes phone calls, emails, nurse follow-ups, referrals, care coordination, and other behind-the-scenes services in addition to our face-to-face patient visits—these services will be built into your care as part of a global fee.
 
These changes are especially important for our sickest patients. Did you know that 10% of patients account for 70% of the healthcare costs?! For most of you, our long-standing patients who have been proactive with things like preventative care and consciously taking care of yourselves by eating well, avoiding stress, and exercising, your care will not change.

And one other very big thing:  I will be taking a sabbatical with my husband from the beginning of February 2013 to the end of July. He will be teaching in Zurich, and I intend use my time to refresh myself after providing the best medical care I have been able to provide for more than 20 years. 
 
Some of you may know that we raise goats. I may use my interest in goats as an excuse to visit goat farms. Or I may just hike around.

One thing is certain though: I know that I will return with renewed enthusiasm and commitment to help guide your care. I know that thoughts of you will cross my mind, as they often do.  Medical practice has its ups and downs, but participating in your lives – each and every one of you – has been tremendously satisfying. I am grateful for the privilege of being your physician.