Vitality Coordinators
Have you heard about our Vitality Coordinators?
Our integrated Health System's approach to closing gaps in care.
Vitality Coordinators are nurses who work in a real clinical setting side by side with doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurses, and the other members of the clinical team. Their goal is to close gaps in care for SWHP Members being seen in their respective assigned clinics.
"She saved my life," Bobby Joe Hoes explained about Vitality Coordinator Addie Kellers. "I was frustrated with the care I was getting from my doctors and would not have gone to another appointment if Addie hadn't gotten me to. She put me in touch with the right doctors and saved my life. Now she calls to check on me and makes sure I make it to all my appointments."
Prior to a Member's appointment, they are the first clinical team member to review and identify gaps in the Member's health care. Any gaps identified are reported to the clinic's floor nurse and then the physician. The physician is provided with a list of the services needed at the time of this visit which helps as a reminder. After the patient has been seen by their physician and clinical team, the Vitality Coordinator reviews the Member's care record once more to ensure closures in such gaps have been appropriately addressed and documented. The Vitality Coordinator has a set of orders that he/she can follow up on automatically so closing gaps in care is fully integrated into the clinical setting.
Vitality Coordinators are an important part of your health care team.
- Primary goal is to help Members gain access to care in the most efficient manner.
- Find and encourage Members who have not been seen in the clinic to come in for care.
- Support and provide health education for folks with knowledge gaps or questions about their health.
- Works under the direction of a physician.
- Coordinates services such as immunizations, blood pressure checks, lab, appointment assistance, medication refills, etc.
- Conducts chart audits to make sure Members, especially those with chronic conditions, are up to date on their tests and immunizations.
- Makes referrals to other SWHP care programs or coordinates needed care with other clinical staff as indicated by the physician's care plan for the Member
- Helps the Member to navigate the complex healthcare system and receive quality care.
- Devotes attention to finding clinical gaps in care.
- Committed to Member engagement and participation in the physician's plan of care.