Health Guide Articles

The Right Care for Health Care

September 19, 2011 By Hunterdon Healthcare

Nearly every day, we hear about medical studies in the news.  But even
very educated consumers can have trouble sorting out how these studies
influence healthcare.

For decades, doctors practiced medicine based on how their mentors did,
or based on their own experiences.  In days gone by, this was just fine
– it was all that was available.  Nowadays, however, good medical care
focuses on evidence-based guidelines.  National panels of experts review
ALL of the available research and weigh pros and cons in order to guide
doctors and patients alike in making wise choices for preventive care
and disease management.  Just because something has always been done one
particular way doesn’t mean it’s the best way, and more testing or
medication is not always better and in fact may be worse.

About twelve years ago, Hunterdon Medical Center and most of the
affiliated doctors joined together to form an integrated delivery system
called Hunterdon Healthcare Partners.  Jeffrey Weinstein, executive
director, states that “This group of professionals has successfully
collaborated as a team in a manner rarely seen in other communities.”
Primary care and specialty care physicians and others meet regularly to
be sure that sound evidence is the basis for the care recommended at
Hunterdon Medical Center.  By putting the interest of the patient before
all others, this group of collaborators is assuring the right care, in
the right place, the first time.

Ask your doctor, then, if the recommended test, procedure, or
medication has a sound body of evidence to support it.  Ask about which
national guideline your doctor uses when making decisions about your
health.

One good example is colon cancer screening.  There is no doubt that a
colonoscopy saves lives, and everyone should have one by age 50.
Contacting patients to remind them of the importance of this life-saving
test rather than waiting for the patient to visit the office is the
first step taken by the organization.  But if the colonoscopy is normal,
when is the next one needed?  Hunterdon Healthcare doctors met to debate
the question.  Expert opinion from the American Cancer Society, the
American College of Gastroenterology, the US Preventive Services Task
Force and others were considered.  Local, state and national cancer
rates were examined.  The doctors agreed:  if the colon was cleaned out
enough for a good study, a normal exam in a patient with no other risks
can be repeated in ten years.

 “At Hunterdon Medical Center, you can be sure that decisions arise
from collaboration and evidence-based guidelines” stated Geralyn
Prosswimmer, MD, medical director. Dr. Prosswimmer went on to say,
“We provide our patients with a full circle of care, making sure
that the various components of your care are linked together and always
putting the patient first.”

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