Saint Thomas Health, an Ascension health care system in middle Tennessee, began a clinical integration agreement on Aug. 1 with National HealthCare Corp., a publicly traded company based in Murfreesboro, Tenn., that provides post-acute health care.
Dr. Greg James, chief clinical officer for Nashville-based Saint Thomas Health, said National HealthCare will be a preferred provider for Saint Thomas Health through the agreement. In the communities served by Saint Thomas Health, National HealthCare offers post-acute care options including rehabilitative care, skilled nursing facilities, residential and assisted living, home care and hospice care.
James said the clinical integration agreement should smooth patient transitions between care settings. The organizations will work toward information technology systems that will be able to share patient information across facilities. Saint Thomas Health and National HealthCare have created a steering committee and subcommittees whose members will meet, either quarterly or monthly depending on the committee, on issues related to operations, quality and processes between the organizations.
Nothing was bought or sold as part of the agreement. It was pursued to enhance the organizations' commitment to quality, safety, experience of care and value, James said. He added that the cultures of both organizations are similar.
The new clinical integration relationship makes sense in a time when health care businesses expect they'll see more value-based arrangements and bundled payment for services, James said. Bundled payments provide a lump sum to providers or health care facilities for the treatment services provided during an episode of care. Those payments can be structured to fund patient care across care settings.
Saint Thomas Health includes nine hospitals and physician practices in middle Tennessee. National HealthCare operates in 10 states.
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