Dear Editor,
The article, "Embarking on Accountable Care: Preparing for the Second Curve," published in the April-June 2014 issue of Nursing Administration Quarterly, introduces the WellStar Health System' care management model as a new approach of accountable care delivery in the era of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. As a nurse leader, it is crucial to keep pace with the new policies and procedures in order to achieve high-quality patient care and outcomes in this unprecedented challenging phase. Interdisciplinary collaboration and communication for coordination of care across the continuum has heightened the spotlight of awareness since the advent of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to receive the full reimbursement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on the basis of the level of clinical performance and patient satisfaction.
As MSN graduate nurse administrators currently attending Holy Names University, we understand the types of leadership skills and abilities required to maintain sound financial operation as well as meet new nursing care demands. The promising results of WellStar Heath System's new integrated care delivery system show why the shared governance and vision between medicine, nursing, and all interdisciplinary health care providers are crucial to not only maximize the quality of patient care and patient's satisfaction but also attain the financial stability of health care organizations.
Sincerely,
-Jolene Smith, BSN, RN
Yonghwan Kwon, BSN, RN
Holy Names University
3500 Mountain Blvd, Oakland, California
[email protected]
[email protected]