North Bay groups among recipients of Kaiser grants
By Dan Verel, Business Journal Staff Reporter
SANTA ROSA — As part of an investment of more than $5.1 million by Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California Community Benefit, four local organizations received funding to increase access to chronic disease management, enhance health screenings, and improve prevention of heart disease and stroke.
The grants were awarded through a fund Kaiser Permanente established at the East Bay Community Foundation.
Coastal Health Alliance, Marin Community Clinics, and the Petaluma Health Center each received grants of $150,000 as part of a Quality Improvement Initiative. The initiative, according to Kaiser, will build quality improvement reporting capabilities and establish a patient-centered medical home for patients, improve continuity of care with access to primary care providers and increase colon cancer screenings for patients 50 years and older, and expand quality improvement efforts to support a new care team model designed to improve health outcomes.
Redwood Community Health Coalition was awarded $300,000 to implement Kaiser Permanente’s Prevent Heart Attacks and Strokes Everyday (PHASE) program. According to Kaiser, the PHASE program has reduced heart attacks and strokes by as much as 60 percent among high-risk patients who follow the simple, low-cost medication regimen. With funding and the expertise of its physicians, Kaiser Permanente has been sharing PHASE with community clinics since 2007.
“By providing funding and sharing our best practices with community clinics, we partner with the safety net to help people get the care they need—which makes our entire community healthier,” said Judy Coffey, RN, senior vice president and area manager of the Marin-Sonoma service area.
Kaiser Permanente said it is partnering with community health centers, local health departments and public hospitals—collectively referred to as the “safety net”—to help these health care providers improve care and expand treatment to the communities they serve.
Copyright © 1988–2013 North Bay Business Journal
View the policy for linking to website content.
by Bill
Where’s the money coming from. Premiums? Kaiser has its priorities out of whack.
Example: It has been reported that the current flu vaccine may only give partial protection. But there is a HiDose vaccine for those over 65. Kaiser refuses to give it. They claim since it has not been told it should give it by the CDC (think this is right initials) it won’t do it. This even though it is recommended.
Baloney it costs more so let the “Old Folks” get sick we want to save the money.
by Gary copeland
this will do many great things as i assume this movement has been going on before my three years with Kaiser. My wife has also worked for Kaiser for 4-5 years. This past year she had a minor stroke. the HR department came right to the plate. wow. The medical proffessionals that helped us between Moanalua and Mapunapuna facilities were outstanding.We have great LOVE for our Doctor Mitchell Motaoka-Mapunapuna.she is recovering nicely.
by Karen Gates
In response to “Bill”- You are welcome to your opinion…you are not welcome to your own facts.
Per the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_fluzone.htm
“CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends flu vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu,(***) however, neither CDC nor ACIP is expressing a preference of one vaccine over another at this time.”
They also indicate there is a greater risk of adverse side affects with the HiDose…and at this time no indication the HiDose gives better protection.
Kaiser Permanente is in the business of keeping people well…not letting the “old folks” get sick. I promise you it is more expensive to treat flu in senior citizens than it is to give the vaccine. Kaiser does give flu vaccines…just not the one “Bill” is advocating.