The Sutter Care Coordination Program Makes Preventive Health Care a Priority

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In an age where the cost of health care remains one of the biggest issues nationwide, the Sutter Care Coordination Program (SCCP) in the greater Sacramento Sierra region is leading the way in the effort to control spiraling health care costs and manage chronic illness with preventive treatment and comprehensive, integrated services.

This year marks the program's 10th year of service and in that time, it has helped approximately 8500 patients reduce disabilities and maintain independent lives. SCCP is nationally certified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and is the first of its kind to receive this prestigious certification.

"For every dollar we spend in preventive health care services, two dollars are saved in emergency room costs, hospital visits and acute care," said Cheryl Phillips, M.D, medical director of Sutter Medical Group and clinical director of the SCCP.

When SCCP started 10 years ago, the team had a vision. They wanted to improve the quality of care for those with chronic illnesses and ultimately, reduce acute-care utilization costs. Over time, this program has grown and become one that patients depend on to live healthier and more independent lives. The focus of the SCCP is to provide care coordination that links traditional medical care with community-based services, and to provide a longitudinal health care partner to help the patient and their families negotiate the daily challenges of chronic illness. The typical patient can expect to receive anything from in-home safety evaluations to depression screenings, linkages to meal programs, transportation assistance and lifeline referrals. The chronic care program also links with many of the primary care physicians’ office through their electronic medical records and integrates the other disease management programs for congestive heart failure and asthma.

"We are so proud of this program's nationally recognized success," said Jan Van der Mei, Continuum Case Management Director, "It's fulfilling to know that we’ve helped so many people live better, healthier lives."

For more information on the Sutter Care Coordination Program, please call (888) 833-4566.

Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region
Sutter Health's Sacramento Sierra Region encompasses hospitals, physicians and outpatient centers in Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties. It is a part of the Sutter Health family of not-for-profit hospitals and physician organizations that share resources and expertise to advance health care quality. Serving more than 100 communities in Northern California, Sutter Health is a regional leader in cardiac care as well as care of women and children, and is a pioneer in advanced patient safety technology

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Contact
Holly Harper
916.454.6825 (office)
916.705.1805 (cell)