Thursday, January 19, 2012
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Greenville Hospital System and S.C. BlueCross program takes new approach to back pain
Columbia, S.C. and Greenville, S.C. – Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center (GHS) is piloting a program to provide faster, more effective relief for employees’ aching backs. The Back and Neck Pain Program is part of collaboration between GHS and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina — and it could become the gold standard for BlueCross members who suffer from back and neck pain.
The pilot program is part of the hospital system’s Total Health program and aims to streamline what can be a complicated, uncoordinated search for solutions and pain relief. Patients often face a fragmented and costly process involving tests, pain medications, exercises, rehab regimens and surgery. The goal is to offer them treatment options swiftly, customized to their diagnosis and monitored for progress.
Patients will receive a rapid diagnosis at participating GHS physician practices. Instead of waiting days or weeks for the next step, they will start on a treatment “track” that same day. The various track options will be customized to match a patient’s diagnosis. All tracks will be based on national best practices and standards — treatments that experts recommend as effective. The quality of care will be closely monitored, as will patient satisfaction and overall costs.
As an incentive for members, deductibles are waived for patients participating in the pilot program. BlueCross, as the administrator of the hospital system’s employee health plan, is designing a reimbursement process for the program and is helping to develop a program to measure outcomes and satisfaction.
“We anticipate that our employees and their dependents will have better outcomes, higher satisfaction and lower overall costs because of this new approach,” said GHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Angelo Sinopoli. “It’s a coordinated approach to care in which our employees will experience less functional loss and disability.”
“This is one of many BlueCross initiatives to collaborate with physicians, hospitals and our customers to achieve the Triple Aim of improved outcomes, reduced cost and enhanced patient experience,” said Dr. Laura Long, BlueCross’ vice president of clinical quality and health management. “GHS’ program is a comprehensive approach that allows the right level of care at the right time. If it is successful, we’ll look at offering it to our group accounts.”
Chronic low back pain affects up to 80 percent of Americans at some point in their lives. It’s the most common and most expensive cause of work-related disability in the United States, second only to the common cold as a cause of lost work days. The third most expensive disorder in terms of health care dollars spent, it accounts for more than $50 billion a year in expenditures by health plans and in business costs due to absenteeism and lost productivity.
Of GHS’ group health plan, which includes 18,699 employees and dependents, more than 1,600 have had claims related to back or neck treatment in the past year.
About Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center
Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center (GHS) (www.ghs.org) is a not-for-profit academic health organization committed to medical excellence through research and education and is accredited by The Joint Commission. Its five campuses provide integrated health care to communities across Greenville County and beyond through a tertiary referral and education center, community hospitals, long-term acute care hospital, skilled nursing facility, outpatient facilities and a wellness center. For the third consecutive year, its flagship Greenville Memorial Hospital has been ranked among the nation’s top 50 hospitals in a specialty area in U.S. News’ 2011-12 publication of America’s Best Hospitals.
About BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., and operating in South Carolina for 65 years, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina (www.SouthCarolinaBlues.com) is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The only South Carolina-owned and operated health insurance carrier, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina comprises more than 45 companies involved in health insurance services, U.S. DoD health program and Medicare contracts, other insurance and employee benefits services, and a philanthropic foundation that funds programs to improve health care and access to health care for South Carolinians.
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GHS receives quality award for heart attack care
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Greenville Health System’s Greenville Memorial Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® Silver Receiving Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes GHS’ commitment and success in implementing an exceptional standard of care for heart attack patients.
Breast health program receives national accreditation
Monday, May 20, 2013
The breast health program at Greenville Health System has been granted a three-year/full accreditation designation from the National Accreditation for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. This is the second time GHS has received this designation. GHS was the first program in the Upstate to receive it in 2009.
Patient tracking system helps hospital save time, money
Monday, April 22, 2013
Giant dry-erase boards detailing operating room schedules are a thing of the past at Greenville Health System’s flagship hospital Greenville Memorial thanks to a novel patient tracking and surgery scheduling system called OR-Max™.
Innovative Peace House will provide home away from home for patients, families and veterans
Thursday, March 21, 2013
The Peace House, a hospitality home for patients and families in extended rehabilitation therapy at Greenville Health System (GHS), officially opens its doors on March 25.
GHS launches new name and logo
Monday, March 18, 2013
Accompanied by a drum roll, a lively people-powered 40-by-10-foot logo “flip” and a promise to pay it forward, Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center officially became known as Greenville Health System at 11 a.m. Monday.
MinuteClinic and Greenville Health System Form Clinical Affiliation in Upstate
Thursday, February 14, 2013
MinuteClinic, the retail health care division of CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS), and Greenville Health System (GHS) – South Carolina’s largest health system, with five medical campuses, outpatient and specialty centers and a large network of physician practices – have entered into a clinical affiliation to enhance access to high quality, affordable healthcare services in the Upstate.
Baptist Easley Hospital Names New CEO
Thursday, January 31, 2013
The Baptist Easley Board of Directors announced today that Michael L. Batchelor has been named as CEO of Baptist Easley Hospital.
New brand to position Greenville Health System for the future
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Greenville Health System officials announced today that the organization is changing its brand to better reflect its current identity and to position the system for future growth. Beginning March 18, 2013, Greenville Health System will be known as Greenville Health System, and a new, streamlined logo will accompany the new name.
Greenville bike-sharing system set to debut next spring
Tuesday, December 04, 2012
Today, plans were revealed for a bike-sharing system coming to downtown Greenville in Spring 2013. Created through a partnership between Upstate Forever and the Greenville Health System (GHS) with additional funding support from the Greenville Transit Authority and Greenville County Recreation District, Greenville B-Cycle will provide residents with an inexpensive alternative to driving cars when taking shorter trips around town. And with stations planned at the Greenlink Bus Transfer Station and Sterling Community Center, organizers are hoping the system will also provide improved accessibility to those without reliable personal vehicles.
Gift do’s – and don’ts – for the up to 1 in 10 children with ADHD
Monday, November 19, 2012
Some simple tips can guide parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD/ADD) through a jungle of toys beckoning holiday shoppers online and on store shelves, says a leading developmental child psychologist. Frederick List, PhD., child psychologist at Greenville Health System Children’s Hospital, has advice on what gifts to get – or NOT to get – and the answers could save parents, family members and friends some money, too.
Carolinas Credit Union Foundation pledges major gift to Children’s Hospital
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Pediatric patients at Children’s Hospital of Greenville Health System and their families will soon have an interactive, child-friendly space in which to regroup and relax thanks to a $300,000 pledge from Carolinas Credit Union Foundation.
Laurens County Health Care System Enters Affiliation Negotiations with Greenville Health System
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
The Laurens County Health Care System (LCHCS) Board of Trustees has voted to enter into exclusive affiliation negotiations with Greenville Health System (GHS). If the negotiations result in an agreed-upon partnership, the affiliation will assist in establishing a long-term strategy for the LCHCS’s operational and financial success and in enhancing health care services in Laurens County.
GHS Board of Trustees approves $1.6 billion budget for FY 2013
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Greenville Health System (GHS) approved a $1.6 billion total operating revenue budget that expands and improves patient access to medical care through strengthened clinical integration, coordination of care and by adding nearly 400 full-time positions in primary practice growth areas such as internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology.
A Disaster Waiting To Happen: True-to-Life EMT Operations Exercise Will Put USC Greenville Med Students to the Test on August 31
Friday, August 31, 2012
On Friday, August 31, members of the charter class of the University of South Carolina (USC) School of Medicine Greenville won’t be sitting in lectures. Nor will they be huddled over textbooks. And they probably won’t be daydreaming about the long Labor Day weekend ahead.
USC's new medical school in Greenville welcomes charter class, sets sights on transforming health care delivery system
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Three years ago, when the University of South Carolina and the Greenville Health System were discussing plans for a new medical school in the Upstate, USC President Harris Pastides issued a challenge to "make this medical school different and special."
New sim center paves way for improved patient safety - GHS opens Health Sciences Education Building
Friday, July 20, 2012
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Home to one of the nation’s most advanced patient simulations labs, the new Health Sciences Education Building at Greenville Health System is expected to serve as a nexus of advanced healthcare education for the Upstate.
First-in-nation partnership paves the way for major leap forward in total cancer care
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Recognizing that social and emotional support are critical components of complete cancer care, Greenville Health System announced today the Center for Integrative Oncology and Survivorship and a pioneer partnership with Cancer Support Community (CSC) – one of the largest worldwide providers of social and emotional support for cancer patients and their caregivers.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Cancer Centers of the Carolinas (CCC) and Greenville Health System (GHS) announced today (Jan. 31) that CCC will integrate with GHS to strengthen cancer care and ultimately create a regional cancer center “unlike anything else that exists between Atlanta and Durham.”
NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver, Jeremy Clements, to host local fundraiser for rare diseases
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Spartanburg resident and NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Jeremy Clements will host the Upstate’s first-ever Valentines and Vegas fundraiser on Saturday, February 11 to raise funds for and awareness of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs), a group of uncommon chronic illnesses that are rapidly emerging as a healthcare problem worldwide.
Greenville Health System and S.C. BlueCross program takes new approach to back pain
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Greenville Health System (GHS) is piloting a program to provide faster, more effective relief for employees’ aching backs. The Back and Neck Pain Program is part of collaboration between GHS and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina — and it could become the gold standard for BlueCross members who suffer from back and neck pain.
GHS and community celebrate GHS’ first 100 years
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Greenville Health System (GHS) kicked off a year-long celebration of its centennial today (Jan. 10), with hundreds of supporters and employees crowding the festooned commons of its flagship hospital Greenville Memorial.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Faculty and student applications are outpacing available slots by a more than 10-to-1 margin at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville, officials said on Friday (Dec. 16). Leaders of the University of South Carolina (USC) and the Greenville Health System (GHS) toured the school’s innovative education building Friday and got an update on its progress. The school is scheduled to open its doors in July 2012.
Greenville Memorial receives Chest Pain Center accreditation
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Greenville Health System’s flagship hospital, Greenville Memorial, has received Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC) for a third time. Greenville Memorial first received this three-year accreditation in 2005.
Co-sleeping death rates for babies almost doubles in Greenville County
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Greenville County authorities are sounding the alarm after the rate of co-sleeping and unsafe-sleeping deaths for babies almost doubled in the county since last year.
USC School of Medicine-Greenville gets green light to move forward
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
The University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville has been awarded preliminary accreditation, getting the green light to recruit students and open its doors in fall 2012.
Dr. Eric Bour named president of Simpsonville Medical Campus
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Greenville Health System (GHS) announced today (Aug. 18) that Dr. Eric Bour has been named president of the Simpsonville Medical Campus, effective October 1. This is the first time a physician has held this type of leadership position within GHS.
S.C. College of Pharmacy welcomes first students of its new Upstate campus
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
The S.C. College of Pharmacy (SCCP) officially welcomed the inaugural class of its new Upstate campus with a ceremony today (Aug. 17). Seventeen third-year pharmacy students recently transferred to the new campus at Greenville Health System (GHS) – the third campus of the statewide public pharmacy college – and are set to begin classes on August 18.
Becker’s Orthopedic, Spine & Pain Management Review names local surgeon to its “65 Outstanding Shoulder Surgeons and Specialists” list
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Dr. Richard J. Hawkins, a renowned shoulder surgeon with Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas – an affiliate of Greenville Health System was recently named to Becker's Orthopedic, Spine & Pain Management Review’s list of “65 Outstanding Shoulder Surgeons and Specialists.”
U.S. News Ranks Greenville Memorial as #1 in metro area and in national top 40 for diabetes care
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
For the third straight year, Greenville Memorial Hospital has been ranked as having one of the nation’s top 40 diabetes/endocrinology programs. Under a new metro ranking, GMH has also been ranked as #1 in the Greenville, Mauldin, Easley metro area, according to U.S. News Media & World Report’s 2011-12 Best Hospitals rankings released today.
South Carolina Advocates for Epilepsy is coming to Greenville
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The newly formed South Carolina Advocates for Epilepsy will host an organizational meeting in Greenville on Saturday, July 23.
ITOR creates cancer research innovation zone at GHS
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Less than a year after being announced, GHS’ Institute for Translational Oncology Research (ITOR) has more than doubled in size with the launch of a 20,000-square-foot “innovation zone” that includes an advanced cancer research laboratory designed to put clinical, industry and academic partners in close proximity to speed the development and implementation of new discoveries.
RCP helps gives voice to aphasia with free movie on Saturday
Thursday, May 19, 2011
The short film Aphasia, an engaging look at a N.C. man as he battles back from a stroke, will be screened at Greenville Memorial Hospital’s Medical Staff Auditorium at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 21. The screening will be followed by a short talk and then a question-and-answer period with its protagonist Carl McIntyre and GHS clinicians and therapists
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