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EVERY
day, around 10:30 a.m.,
employees, patients and visitors alike
will notice a sizable cohort of nurses,
doctors, pharmacists, dietitians,
physical therapists and discharge
planners gathering in patient rooms
on our Medical-Surgical Unit.
It’s called “Accountable Care
Rounding,” and the new model is
meant to improve patient care by
enhancing communication and
coordination between involved
practitioners and providers, and
with patients and their families.
Patient-centered care
“We think of the model as a
bubble,” says Rajiv Pant, MD,
Director of the Hospitalist Program,
who, along with William Latreille,
MD, Chief Medical Officer, and
Julie Marshall, Vice President of
Patient Care Services, spearheaded
the effort to bring Accountable Care
Rounding to UVM Health Network–
Alice Hyde Medical Center. “At the
center of the bubble is the patient
with their family and all their needs.
We wanted to bring the providers
and practitioners involved in their
care inside that bubble to talk
about patient needs, care plans and
discharge plans.”
Here in Malone, Accountable
Care Rounding, based on a model
developed by Emory University,
began small and has grown.
“We started with the doctor, nurses
and discharge planning,” Dr. Pant
explains. “Pharmacy came to visit
and see the model one day, and we
realized they had a lot to contribute,
so they joined the team. Our dietitian
came to observe one day, and the
same was true with her. She had
much to contribute, and patients had
many questions for her. It’s continued
to evolve as we’ve progressed.”
Teaming up for your health
Dr. Pant says that the team meets
with each patient, and often, with their
family only for a fewminutes, but the
conversations have a lasting impact.
“It gets all of us on the same page
and allows us to be responsive to
the patient’s needs,” he says. “For
example, if a patient is concerned
about the cost of a particular
prescribed medication, Pharmacy can
consult on less expensive alternatives
and the physician can determine
whether or not the change would be
appropriate. It means the patient is
receiving more comprehensive care.”
Patients and families report that
Accountable Care Rounding helps
them feel more connected with
their care plan, and the care team’s
increased exposure to the patient
contributes to that.
“I understand each patient’s case
and condition much better than I
would by reading about it in a chart,”
says Liz Cassini, Dietitian. “I used to
see my patients once in the morning.
Now I see them before, during and
sometimes after rounds. This gives
me more exposure to them and
I’m able to see the bigger picture in
terms of their needs and concerns.”
Improving care coordination
Michael Dufort, Pharmacy
Director, says Accountable Care
Rounding has given his department
the opportunity to be more directly
involved in patient care, as well as in
the care team.
“We’re interfacing directly with
physicians, RNs and patients,” he says.
“This results in quicker resolution
of problems, enhances patient safety
and improves patient care. Our staff
appreciates this opportunity and looks
forward to continued involvement.”
“This allows the patient and the
family to be part of the decision-
making process and become more
involved in their care,” says Jeanette
Messenger, Nurse Manager, Medical-
Surgical Unit. “We also discuss
any barriers to discharge to ensure
that the patient has a safe and
seamless discharge. It also allows
everyone involved in the patient’s
care to discuss issues efficiently with
everyone’s input.”
Improving patient care
Accountable Care Rounding unites your medical team for your health
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS: The team meets with a patient for their daily Accountable Care rounds.