WCA Hospital FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Document For Media.

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "WCA Hospital FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Document For Media."

Bridget Walsh
5 years ago
Views:

A Health Care System Including the JONES MEMORIAL HEALTH CENTER Division The WOMAN S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK WCA Hospital FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Document For Media.

1 A Health Care System Including the JONES MEMORIAL HEALTH CENTER Division The WOMAN S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK WCA Hospital FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Document For Media. What is the agreement between WCA Hospital and UPMC? The boards of directors of WCA Hospital and UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) today announced a formal affiliation agreement to integrate WCA Hospital into the UPMC network. The agreement sets forth the shared visions of WCA Hospital and UPMC to meet the challenges of today s transformational changes in the health care industry by accessing UPMC s technological resources, expertise, and capabilities, to preserve access to local health care and grow world-class health care services locally for years to come. Pending a due diligence (examination) process and regulatory approval, the affiliation will bring together high-performing organizations with a shared vision to create an exceptional health care delivery system that is focused on world-class health care. Why is WCA Hospital doing this? The health care world is one of the most rapidly changing and complex industries in the country. Several factors including, health care reform with major policy shifts and, changes with laws and regulations that impact reimbursement have affected the ability for rural community hospitals across the country to remain viable, independently. Health care systems are under increasing pressure to coordinate care for patient populations while operating with ever greater efficiencies within financial restraints. For more than five years, WCA Hospital s board of directors and leadership have been diligently exploring opportunities to enhance and expand the exceptional care the hospital provides while addressing the significant challenges and financial pressures in health care today. UPMC Hamot and WCA signed a joint strategic affiliation agreement on August 12, The two health systems have shared a long-standing, successful mission to serve patients, communities, and one another in the tradition of patient excellence and service, and continue to work cooperatively today to provide expanded access to clinical, educational, and administrative services for those they serve. For WCA, it is the right thing to do because it preserves and enhances our ability to provide exceptional health care for the people of our community as a not-for-profit system. This collaborative action will guard, enhance, and expand health care for residents for years to come. 207 FOOTE AVENUE / P.O. BOX 840 / JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK / TELEPHONE (716)

2 Why did WCA select UPMC? WCA and UPMC share a commitment to provide high-quality patient care and a vision for the future to provide the best opportunities for the hospital, its medical staff and employees, and its patients and consumers. WCA and UPMC Hamot already have a long-standing, mutually beneficial collaboration with their formal strategic affiliation agreement, signed in UPMC is a world-class academic medical center that is consistently ranked in the prestigious U.S. News & World Report annual Honor Roll of American s Best Hospitals. Together, we will continue to expand our mission to deliver outstanding health care while putting our patients, medical staff, employees, supporters, and volunteers at the center of everything we do. How is the new affiliation agreement different from the current agreement between WCA and UPMC Hamot? The new affiliation agreement, completed and approved on Wednesday, December 16, 2015, by board members and leaders from the two health systems, fully integrates WCA Hospital into the UPMC network. As part of the signed agreement, UPMC has committed to invest at least $25 million over the next 10 years to support such enhancements. UPMC has also agreed to relieve WCA s debt and cover its pension obligations, freeing up significant additional monies for WCA development. What higher level of care can UPMC provide for our community? UPMC is a top-quality clinical care provider ranked among the top 15 hospitals nationally by U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll. UPMC has demonstrated clinical excellence as evidenced by internationally renowned programs closely affiliated with University of Pittsburgh which has ranked among the top 10 recipients of National Institutes of Health research funding since UPMC has network of more than 5,000 affiliated highly-skilled physicians across the range of specialties that will ease access to tertiary services for Chautauqua County residents. UPMC is a leading academic medical center and a $12 billion integrated delivery and finance system. UPMC is an internationally-known and highly-regarded health care provider with an international presence in more than a dozen countries including China, Colombia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Singapore, and United Kingdom. UPMC has a solid record of success in affiliating and supporting hospitals like WCA. UPMC has created a genuinely integrated health delivery system with more than 20 hospitals and a health insurance company. How will a WCA-UPMC partnership ensure world-class quality for our communities? The integration will enable WCA to benefit from UPMC s world-class clinical, educational, and technological resources. It will allow WCA to remain ahead of the curve in health care technology, information systems, and quality assurance 2

3 important functions that WCA would have had difficulty achieving without the resources and expertise that UPMC brings. Like UPMC Hamot, WCA will be stronger, backed by the world-renowned resources and financial stability of UPMC. What are the major benefits the community should expect from this new relationship? The greatest benefit of the agreement is keeping high-quality care close to home. WCA and UPMC s combined efforts and dedication will allow health care to grow even stronger and positions WCA Hospital for greater stability over time and will cultivate opportunities to provide world-class patient care to the benefit of everyone it serves. How will the hospitals work together to develop the best plan moving forward for Jamestown and the surrounding Southern Chautauqua County region? WCA and UPMC including UPMC Hamot will work together to take the steps toward a regionally-coordinated approach to health care including maintaining an appropriate level of inpatient and outpatient services; investing in WCA s assets and programs; continuously improving clinical quality and patient care for key metrics; and expanding health care services and the coordination of clinical programs to the benefit of the patients, consumers, employees, and community. The affiliation agreement is contingent upon a due diligence period and regulatory approvals, including but not limited to New York State Certificate of Need approval. What changes can be expected due to the affiliation agreement? The priorities of the affiliation agreement are to (1) preserve high-quality health care locally and (2) to enhance, expand, and strengthen the breadth of medical services to those we serve while addressing the challenges and financial constraints in today s rapidly evolving health care environment today and into the future. How will this relationship enhance patient care? We will be working diligently and vigorously with UPMC and UPMC Hamot to provide easy access to care for the Southern Chautauqua County region while ensuring that patients continue to receive the highest levels of quality and service that they have come to expect from WCA. Will the affiliation with UPMC change any of the services WCA Hospital offers? An affiliation with UPMC will be extremely positive for WCA Hospital, our patients, and the entire region. The goal of the affiliation is to position WCA to not only meet the challenges of today s transformation changes in health care, but to access UPMC s world-renowned clinical, technological, and educational resources, expertise, and capabilities. Our goal is to: Create an integrated health care delivery system in the Western New York and Northwestern region that preserves and sustains outstanding access to local health care, locally. 3

4 Share knowledge and expertise. Access more physicians and health professionals that will reach more people. As part of the signed agreement, UPMC has committed to invest at least $25 million over the next 10 years to support such enhancements. UPMC has also agreed to relieve WCA s debt and cover its pension obligations, freeing up significant additional monies for WCA development. What does this mean for hospital staffs? We do not anticipate that there will be any changes as we work through the due diligence and regulatory approval process. Our anticipated affiliation and integration closing will be final in later summer of As the integration activities progress, we will keep WCA employees apprised of advantages and opportunities inherent in a partnership with a nationally renowned health care system. What does this mean to WCA patients? WCA and UPMC are deeply committed to their patients and, together, will continue to set national standards for health care excellence. Supported by the expertise and resources of a world-renowned health system and strong strategic partner gives patients and the community even more resources and access to high-quality, specialized patient care. Will I have to change my doctor or where I go for care? No, there is no need to change your doctor. As always, your choice of physicians and where you receive tests and treatments is entirely up to you. Supported by the expertise and resources of UPMC and UPMC Hamot, WCA will be able to provide even more health care resources and choices. What is the next step for WCA Hospital and UPMC? WCA and UPMC will continue to work over the next several months through a due diligence (examination) process to finalize the agreement that requires regulatory review and approval. Together, they will keep the stakeholders informed appropriately of the progress and status of the affiliation process. Will WCA Hospital change its name? Yes. Upon our closing, WCA Hospital s name change to UPMC Chautauqua at WCA which will be one of the first steps in the two organization s joint commitment to build one of the strongest health care system s in this region. About WCA Hospital WCA Hospital, a 317-licensed bed hospital, was chartered in 1885, is Southwestern New York s largest not-for-profit healthcare provider, offering an extensive range of inpatient and outpatient acute and rehabilitation services. WCA Hospital has been recognized at the state and national level for high-quality care outcomes. The hospital is accredited 4

5 by The Joint Commission, The American Association of Blood Banks, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American College of Radiology, Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL), CEO Roundtable on Cancer Gold Standard Employer for 2015, and approved by the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) Commission on Cancer (CoC). For more information, visit WCA s website, wcahospital.org, or call (716) About UPMC Hamot A regional referral hub with the only Level II Trauma Center in northwestern Pennsylvania, UPMC Hamot< is a 443-bed hospital in Erie that also includes a state-of-the-art Women s Hospital< devoted to meeting the comprehensive health care needs of women and infants in the community. One of Erie County s top three employers, UPMC Hamot provides more than $33 million annually in benefits to the community, including $23.5 million in free and reduced-cost care to the area s most vulnerable citizens. Becoming part of the UPMC< network in 2011 has enabled UPMC Hamot to provide world-class care with access to some of the nation s leading health care providers and the latest technological advancements. For more information, visit About UPMC A world-renowned health care provider and insurer, Pittsburgh-based UPMC is inventing new models of accountable, cost-effective, patient-centered care. It provides more than $888 million a year in benefits to its communities, including more care to the region s most vulnerable citizens than any other health care institution. The largest nongovernmental employer in Pennsylvania, UPMC integrates 60,000 employees, more than 20 hospitals, more than 500 doctors offices and outpatient sites, a 2.8-million-member health insurance division, and international and commercial operations. Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC ranks No. 13 in the prestigious U.S. News & World Report annual Honor Roll of America s Best Hospitals. For more information, go to UPMC.com. End 5

2014 Morrisey Technology and Educational Conference 1

2014 Morrisey Technology and Educational Conference 1 Conference Data Standardization: the Source of Truth Jan Brown, RN, MN Executive Director UPMC Credentials Verification Office UPMC Facts and Figures UPMC is an integrated global healthcare delivery system