The Pelvic Floor and Abdominal Health Program increases patient volumes and revenue while managing complex pelvic health patients with guided, comprehensive care. The Solution is a multidisciplinary, comprehensive program designed to diagnose and treat a wide range of abdominal and pelvic conditions in women and men of all ages.

Pelvic Floor and Abdominal Health Program Detail
The Pelvic Floor and Abdominal Health Program contains the following components:
- Program Overview and Presentation
- Program Marketing Collateral
- Detailed Program Director Job Description
- Patient Questionnaires, Appointment Scripts and Diagrams
- Planning Worksheets, Scheduling Aids, Conditions Grid and Organizational Requirements
- One Hour Phone/Webinar Consultation with Solution Champion

Below you will find a series of questions and answers that will guide you through the objectives, implementation, and outcomes of Rush University Medical Center's Pelvic Floor and Abdominal Health Program.

The Rush University Medical Center Pelvic Floor and Abdominal Health Program is focused on optimal patient outcomes using a multidisciplinary approach to pelvic floor and GI motility disorders. Key to the success of the program is the role of the program manager who guides care by triaging new patients to appropriate physicians, scheduling appointments and communicating to all patient providers. Physicians see program patients in their respective outpatient offices, develop a shared EMR and complete their own billing.

The program can be started with a limited number of pelvic health specialists with additional specialists and practitioners added as the program grows. Since the Pelvic Floor and Abdominal Health Program began seeing patients in 2005 and through 2010, the program has seen a 677% increase in the number of patients admitted to the program.

What problem does this Solution address?
The Pelvic Floor and Abdominal Health Program enables provides patients timely, guided, coordinated, and state-of-the art care for disorders of the pelvic floor and disorders of GI motility while increasing patient base and revenue.

How was the Solution developed?
Pelvic health physicians – frustrated by protracted, uncoordinated care of pelvic floor patients in their medical community – met to plan a virtual multidisciplinary clinic. The Strategic Planning and Marketing Departments convened focus groups and researched the prevalence and treatment of pelvic health disorders in the area. Two champion physicians successfully secured hospital program funding for one year after a presentation to hospital executives that included market analysis data and potential downstream revenue.

Were there any organizational considerations?
The Solution was a strategic objective supported by the hospital executive team. Communication to stakeholders was accomplished through CME presentations, 'lunch & learns,' grand rounds and meetings with targeted physicians and allied healthcare providers and staff.

What are the resources, staffing and skills needed to successfully implement this Solution?
In addition to the job descriptions highlighted in the Solution materials, a physician champion is key to successfully implementing this solution. Fourteen hospital-employed and private physician specialists, physical therapists and behavioral therapists participate in the Rush University Medical Center program.

Any advice to other hospitals and health systems in preparation to launching this Solution?
Get strong commitment from all participating healthcare practitioners.

How has this Solution performed?
Pelvic health patients are receiving timely personalized care from operative, non-operative and behavioral practitioners with documented significant improvement in their medical condition and personal lives. The program has shown a 677% increase in program patients over 5 years with 70% external referrals.

What are the key elements needed to SUSTAIN this Solution?
A committed physician champion and a program manager with strong communication skills who works well with all level of providers are key. Also key is a strong commitment of all practitioners who are or who will be part of the program.