Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Project Title

Initiating a Diabetes Management Program for Underserved Populations

Award Amount

$184,708

Location

Queens

Web Site

http://www.jamaicahospital.org/

Date Awarded

November 15, 2007

Diabetes disproportionately affects minorities living in Queens and Brooklyn, as evidenced by high prevalence, and hospitalization and mortality rates. The mortality rates in the neighborhoods served by Jamaica and Flushing clinics are as high as 40.9 per 100,000, compared to 23.3 in New York City and 20.5 in the State.

Working in collaboration the Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, and the Neighborhood Health Plan (a Medicaid Managed Care Organization) will implement elements of the Chronic Care Model to improve diabetes treatment for 500 patients (enrolled in the Neighborhood Health Plan) in four ambulatory care sites in Queens and Brooklyn, including Family Care Centers at St. Albans, East New York, Richmond Hill, and Flushing Hospital Ambulatory Care Clinic. At these sites, physicians and residents will be trained on the Chronic Care Model and the American Diabetes Association’s national guidelines. As part of the proposed project, sub-specialists will be made available on-site for diabetic visits, and diabetes health educators will provide patient education, allowing “one-stop shopping” appointments for patients with diabetes. A centralized patient registry will be adopted, and at one site, a community health worker program will be piloted to observe and assist patients who need to control their diabetes in their home environments. The project will use outcomes data to promote changes in reimbursement over time. After the grant period, best practices from these programs will be spread to help create other “super centers” for diabetes care within the two boroughs.