From OHC
December 13, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lesia Golden
OHC Marketing Department
513-751-2145 ext. 10204
lesia.golden@usoncology.com
Molly Mendenhall
Quality Assurance Manager at OHC
Molly Mendenhall, Quality Assurance Manager at OHC, has been selected as one of the Cincinnati Business Courier’s 2018 Health Care Heroes finalists!
The 2018 Health Care Heroes awards recognize those who have made an impact on health care in our community. Molly was nominated for her responsibility in leading the implementation of OHC’s Emergency Department (ED) Avoidance Initiative to reduce avoidable ED visits for patients with cancer and blood disorders. It has successfully resulted in significant outcomes for patients and their families, and the program has been recognized as a US Oncology best practice. This would not have been possible with out Molly’s drive and passion.
Undergoing cancer treatment can be very difficult. Many cancer patients often seek care in an emergency department (ED) when they need help with symptoms related to their disease, or more often, their treatments. In most cases, these issues and concerns can be handled with a phone call to an experience oncology provider. A team under Molly’s guidance created a triage program where patients can call 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. Patients are able to share their symptoms and are immediately assessed and navigated through several options: same day office visit with a doctor, seen in office on the weekend, and/or counseled over the phone. The program encourages patients to call OHC first before going to an ED. Within one year, OHC has been able to reduce the number of inpatient admissions by 11% and unplanned readmissions by 23%. This program reduces the risk of other complications that might arise when a cancer patient goes to the hospital, it affords them the ability to remain at home with the support of family, it reduces the stress of caregivers having to navigate a sudden hospital visit and it also helps to reduce unnecessary cost for them.
The winner will be announced at an awards banquet in February 2018.
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At OHC, the search for new treatments is relentless, the drive to provide superior care runs deep and the fight against cancer is personal. As one of the nation’s largest independent oncology practices, OHC has renowned experts who aggressively attack cancer with every possible strategy; an in-house, nationally-recognized clinical trials program engaged in a passionate search for innovative treatment options; and counselors and navigators to help patients understand their disease, manage finances and gain power over cancer’s impact on their life.
