ATLANTA – The Emory Healthcare Network is expanding its footprint out of metro Atlanta and southwest into Columbus, Georgia by adding St. Francis Hospital physicians and providers to its clinically integrated network. This is the first time the Emory Healthcare Network will provide services outside of the 28-county Atlanta metropolitan service area and Troup County (La Grange, GA). The network, formed in 2011, was developed to improve care coordination and quality outcomes, while bending the health care cost curve for patients and their communities.
Currently, the Emory Healthcare Network has a membership of more than 2,800 Emory employed and independent physicians representing over 70 specialties, with 250 locations and 11 hospitals.
“We are excited to expand this physician-led care model into the Columbus area through St. Francis Hospital,” says Donald Brunn, senior vice president for network development at Emory Healthcare. “It brings a tested care coordination program for high-risk and high-need patients in Columbus, along with a host of other care management benefits to our physician partners. Improving quality outcomes and making care more affordable is a win-win for patients, providers and employers.”
Network partners have common quality goals and are connected via electronic medical record systems that can be shared among providers. Partners can also participate in group purchasing of medical supplies to lower costs in their practices, while working collaboratively with Emory’s payer partners to reduce health care costs.
“The Emory Healthcare Network has a proven track record, through the collaborative work of its providers, of consistently lowering the medical cost trend while still improving over-all quality of care,” says Joel Shu, MD, Emory Healthcare Network Chief Medical Officer and Chief Quality Officer.
Emory Healthcare and St. Francis Hospital have had an ongoing partnership through established services in cardiothoracic surgery and electrophysiology for a number of years. The physician community associated with St. Francis Hospital joining the Emory Healthcare Network is a natural extension of the work already underway between the two organizations.
“Expanding the Emory Healthcare Network to the Columbus area is a further example of Emory’s commitment to partnerships and affiliations that improve local health care capabilities and access across the region, aimed at keeping patients and their families under the care of their trusted physicians,” says Brunn.
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About Emory Healthcare
Emory Healthcare, with more than 22,600 employees and 11 hospitals, is the most comprehensive academic health system in Georgia. Emory Healthcare has $4.4 billion in annual net revenue. System-wide, it has 2,691 licensed patient beds, more than 2,800 physicians practicing in more than 70 specialties and serves metro Atlanta with 250 locations. Emory Healthcare is the only health system in Georgia with three Magnet-designated hospitals, Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital, Emory University Hospital and Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital, for nursing excellence. Emory Healthcare'smission is to improve the health of individuals and communities at home and throughout the world.For more information, visit www.emoryhealthcare.org.
About St. Francis Hospital
St. Francis Hospital, a part of LifePoint Health, is a 376-bed facility that offers a full range of inpatient, outpatient and emergency room services and is the only area hospital offering open-heart surgery. With more than 2,800 employees, 300 physicians and the latest technology, we strive to help you regain and maintain your health. Our overriding goal is to provide you with the best possible care.