An organizational change started in the spring deserves some clarification. All McLaren Medical Group outpatient primary care clinics in the region are now departments of their respective hospitals. Previously, they had been freestanding.
Increased Efficiency
Robert Guha, vice president and CFO of McLaren Medical Group, says the change is clinically advantageous to patients. It also offers a number of economic opportunities for the organization.
“For one, there is an advantage from Medicare when the billing comes through a hospital department,” Guha says. “Also, additional resources are now available to make us more competitive in regional markets. There are now added cost savings and efficiencies, as we can now take advantage of the purchasing power of the hospital. We’re leaner and more efficient.”
Enhanced Patient Care
The integration of the clinics with McLaren hospitals offers a huge favorable impact on patient care, Guha says. “Together with our online medical records, a patient’s medical history and what he or she is being treated for is accessible throughout the system. This reduces the possibility of misdiagnosis and errors in medication. It helps ensure patient care continuity with no disruptions.”