Sheehan Health Network

SHEEHAN HEALTH NETWORK ANNOUNCES EXPANSION PLANS FOR NEW PRIMARY CARE OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT

Redefining the Look and Delivery of Medical Care in Buffalo

September 1st, 2009

Tags: expansion plans, medical services, medical home,

(Buffalo, NY)Sheehan in continuing the call to provide access to quality and affordable health care to Buffalo's under served and growing elderly population will begin major renovations this month to develop a new primary care outpatient department. The 18,400 square foot development project will include renovation and expansion of the hospital's front entrance and first floor. The new entrance is part of the hospital's plan to make the facility more convenient, comfortable and welcoming to patients and their families.

The goal is to create the look and feel of a "medical home", where each patient will experience the comfort of receiving personalized and state of the art medical care. For instance, the lobby area will be modified to create three distinct waiting areas for patients and their families and will house a concierge who will serve as a hospital ambassador to make the admission process easier.

The development of the new primary care outpatient department, in which Sheehan refers to as "a patient centered medical home," will be built where the former surgical wing of the hospital is now located. This area will be demolished to create a new reception area, examination rooms for the expansion of primary and specialty medical care services, a nurses station, and physician offices.

According to Lucille Sheedy, Sheehan's interim president and CEO, "The renovation project is Sheehan's goal of delivering a continuum of care at one community-centered location."

It is hoped that patients will utilize Sheehan as their first choice for medical care versus a visit to the emergency room.

Sheehan currently offers primary and preventive medical care, diagnostic services, in addition to specialty services that include inpatient and outpatient alcohol and substance addiction treatment and rehabilitation. "Sheehan is pleased to be the 2nd hospital in the state to become a hospital-based "patient-centered medical home" facility that will provide medical care to families and the region's diverse and aging populations," states Sheedy.

The Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century (the Berger Commission) in their January 2007 report set the stage to begin healthcare reform in New York State. The report identified Sheehan as a primary care facility that provided a medical "safety net" to the most vulnerable of Erie County's residents. Residents in Sheehan's service area suffer from a high incidence of heart disease, diabetes, asthma and hypertension at a rate higher than other residents of Erie County.

In January 2008, responding to the need to establish access to better health care for this community, Sheehan and BlueCross BlueShield of WNY formed a Community Health Collaborative to expand primary care services at Sheehan's medical facilities located at 425 Michigan and the Emerson Young Clinic, while building a comprehensive, wellness and outreach program. Now the progress continues. With the awarding of the Heal NY Phase IV funding, Sheehan is able to complete the cycle of care.

Access to quality primary medical care is a growing challenge for many urban communities and the elderly. However, "as an integral part of our local healthcare community, Sheehan Health Network provides city residents with quality medical care they can afford," said Mayor Byron W. Brown. "This expansion is proof of Sheehan's success in our community, and the important role their services have in improving the quality of life for all city residents."

The project development team is led by David Von Derau; Sheehan's Facilities Manager and includes the construction development firm of McGuire Development, the construction management firm, R&P Oak Hill and the architectural team of Carmina, Wood & Morris PC.

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