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INDUSTRY INSIGHT YOUR HEALTH SPONSORED CONTENT Primary Care Redefined: Chronic Disease Population Management Robert W. Koschik II, MD T he spectrum of chronic disease includes common conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These conditions, while treatable, are not likely to ever be fully cured. They can, however, be managed with appropriate medications, surveillance for complications, and lifestyle changes. Years of compiled research have demonstrated that aggressively managing chronic disease leads to a reduction in complications and therefore longer years of better health. For example, the high levels of sugar that occur in the blood of a diabetic are toxic to many tissues in the body. Untreated diabetes increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and amputations. Keeping blood sugars low in a diabetic reduces the risk of these complications allowing patients to stay healthier longer with a better quality of life. In the case of diabetes, medical research shows that keeping blood sugars below a certain threshold, taking specific medications shown to reduce complications, keeping blood pressure under good control, not smoking, and keeping cholesterol levels down reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. From this knowledge very specific guidelines have been created to aid doctors in ensuring that their patients fall within these research proven parameters. With the advent of the electronic health record, we now have access to a large pool of patient data which can help us to identify and treat chronic disease in a proactive fashion. We are able to sift through lab results, blood pressure readings and other data and focus on patients who are not falling within these parameters. This technique is called Chronic Disease Population Management – looking at a certain subset of patients that share a disease in common and making certain they are all meeting evidence based guidelines to keep them as healthy as possible. Management of a patient with chronic disease is best accomplished by focusing on the individual patient and how they fit within that population. Coordination between visits with your doctor and communication with nurses who are experts in population management allows the best care possible to be delivered in a way that makes the most sense for you and your circumstances. At WHS Primary Care Lakeside and throughout the Washington Health System, we have implemented chronic disease management programs that combine the population and individual approaches to keep our patients healthier longer. WHS Primary Care Lakeside, located in McMurray, PA, provides outstanding, cutting edge primary care with an emphasis on customer service. We are accepting new patients, and have expanded our hours to include early morning, evening, and weekend hours to meet the needs of our patients. Please call (724) 969-1001 to make an appointment. -Robert W. Koschik II, MD PRIMARY CARE REDEFINED Dedicated to providing comprehensive, accessible, and cutting-edge healthcare across the lifespan. If you need more information or would like to make an appointment, please call (724) 969-1001. Dr. Koschik is accepting new patients. WHS Primary Care - Lakeside 1001 Waterdam Plaza, McMurray, PA 15317 (724) 969-1001 whsdocs.org | whslakeside.org Canon-Mac | Spring 2016 | icmags.com 37