For more than 200 chronically ill patients in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, doctors make house calls. This specialized program has resulted in significantly fewer emergency department visits and extended hospital stays.
Most importantly, Facey Medical Group’s palliative care program has increased patients’ satisfaction with their medical care and helped improve their quality of life. Palliative care helps patients manage symptoms to alleviate the need for acute care.
“It’s quite simply the right thing to do. People facing health challenges most often are much happier at home, and we wanted to do our part to make that possible,” said Fredrick Russo, M.D., who recently retired as Facey’s president and CEO. Dr. Russo is credited with championing the plan.
A case study of the program and its results was published recently by Duke University’s Margolis Center for Health Policy.
This community-based service provides home visits, after-hour access, education, regular check-ins by phone, social work and chaplaincy support as requested. It was introduced in 2016 in partnership with Providence TrinityCare, a provider of hospice and palliative care. Facey is an affiliate of TrinityCare’s parent organization, Providence St. Joseph Health.
The care team works with patients and their families on goals of care to improve quality of life. Most of these patients suffer from degenerative chronic illness such as heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia disorders including Alzheimer’s disease or diabetes, with serious complications. Most are not in need of hospice care at this point but, through the program, have documented their plans for future health care.
Facey identifies patients with serious diagnoses and recent hospital care for the program. Additionally, TrinityCare takes referrals from community physicians and Providence hospitals.
A review of 2017 data show a 70% reduction in hospital admissions and a 55% decrease in emergency department visits. 2018 data were not as remarkable but nonetheless significant. Among the key components of this success are a multidisciplinary team and 24-hour access to help patients manage their symptoms. Sharing an electronic health care record allows for a high level of coordination of care among primary care providers, patients and the palliative care team.
Facey has been innovative in providing the initial and ongoing funding for the team, which has expanded to a physician, two nurse practitioners, three registered nurses, three social workers and a chaplain. Shortly before partnering, TrinityCare had received a grant from the UniHealth Foundation to expand palliative care in the Valley.
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The Santa Clarita Veteran Services Collaborative announced that it has reintroduced Food Pantry and Post Service Officer services at the Veteran Center.
In an effort to provide kids across the Santa Clarita Valley with a safe place to play and learn over spring break while parents are working, the Boys & Girls Club of SCV holds an annual camp.
Santa Clarita Artists Association (SCAA) will spotlight contemporary artist Alex Schaeffer in a virtual oil demo on Monday, April 19, from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
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The William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board has approved the recommendation to name Donna Manfredi as the principal of Golden Oak Adult School.
The Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors announced the leadership team of the newly formed Probation Oversight Commission who will be tasked to lead efforts to monitor the Probation Department’s progress on systemic reform.
The Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center at College of the Canyons will host a virtual Open House on Wednesday, April 28 to help those interested in advancing their careers by earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
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The results of two surveys regarding the controversy surrounding the Hart High School mascot were reported during the William S. Hart Union High School District governing board meeting on Wednesday.
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The Santa Clarita City Council on Tuesday night approved one-time funding of $100,000 for the relocation of Bridge to Home shelter services for people experiencing homelessness, and an additional loan not to exceed $110,000.
California Institute of the Arts, or CalArts, is leasing space at Newhall Crossings in Downtown Newhall to put its students’ artwork on display, officials with the Valencia arts college announced recently.
The Santa Clarita City Council unanimously approved Tuesday a Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital expansion plan, following a public hearing with protest from members of a local carpenters union and calls by community members to include a mental health care unit for children.
California Senate Bill 546, a measure to extend the state's "iFoster" cell phones and data program for foster youth, has passed out of the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee with unanimous support, according to Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita).
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If you watched NASA’s exciting Mars Perseverance rover landing on Feb. 18, you definitely won’t want to miss the College of the Canyons Canyon Country campus spring 2021 virtual Star Party on Friday, April 23.
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