Population Health Helps CHI Patients with Healthcare Management
Jul 23, 2024
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The Population Health Department provides extra attention for patients with chronic conditions.
Receiving a serious health diagnosis can be frightening and confusing. Your life has changed in the blink of an eye, and you may not know the next steps to take. This is why Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) created the Population Health department in July 2022—to support patients during challenging times. Clinical staff members of the department and CHI leaders put together a system that will help patients in initial care after a diagnosis. “We want to coordinate care for patients who have chronic medical conditions and diagnoses,” said Shaquan Chambliss – Huggins, Ph.D, APRN and Director of Population Health and Clinical Integrative Services. “This makes sure that the patient understands their diagnosis and is provided with the necessary tools to continue their own care. We want them to feel empowered.”
Chambliss-Huggins, a behavioral health and family medicine provider at CHI, explains that during this crucial time, it is important that clinical staff provide additional education to patients on their diagnosis and how to manage treatments. The program serves as a bridge to care, connecting patients to their first appointments with a specialist. A part of that responsibility also includes building the relationship between the patient and their primary care providers at CHI, so they can continue long-term care.
“We want to make sure that these patients get extra attention and do not fall through the cracks,” said ChamblissHuggins.
The department also updates patients’ needs by receiving records from insurance companies to address care gaps. This includes issues such as a patient who is overdue for a recommended screening like
an annual mammogram or colonoscopy or not being up to date on immunizations. The clinical team will check patient charts to guarantee that these care gaps are met.
Chambliss-Huggins knows first-hand the importance of these screenings. Early prevention can make a difference between stage 1 cancer and stage 4.
“By getting patients in and scheduled and getting these things addressed, we meet our goals. However, you cannot look at these as just numbers on paper,” she said. “These are people’s lives, which is why I am so passionate about it!”
In just two years, the department has received recognition from organizations like the Health Choice Network. It is gaining positive feedback on achieving 600 monthly scheduled appointments and plans to increase that number to 800 this summer. Chambliss-Huggins hopes to see continued growth in the coming years.
“In the future, I would like to see the expansion of the team and continued education and training opportunities,” she said. “I want to put Population Health on the map for the betterment of our patients!”
A nurse from CHI’s Population Health Department provides personalized care and support to a patient with chronic conditions, ensuring they receive the necessary tools and education for managing their health.
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