The Milwaukee County Department of Family Care is partnering with the Wisconsin Statewide Health Information Network to improve care coordination and discharge planning for Family Care members admitted to hospitals and emergency rooms in Wisconsin.
The WISHIN is an information exchange connecting physicians, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies and clinical laboratories across Wisconsin.
“Our partnership with WISHIN is another example of the priority we place on increasing efficiency in all of our operations,” said County Executive Chris Abele. “We will always seek out opportunities to engage in information sharing that improves outcomes, reduces costs, and protects client confidentiality. We’re very excited about this opportunity.”
As the first Family Care Managed Care Organization to join WISHIN, MCDFC is said to benefit from enhanced communication between medical providers and MCDFC case managers, ensuring Family Care members receive coordinated care as they transition from a hospital setting back into the community.
“Rapid, seamless communication is the key to keeping our members healthy and reducing redundant medical costs,” said Dr. Seth Foldy, MCDFC medical director.
Through collaboration with WISHIN, medical providers and MCDFC case managers will receive real-time information about MCDFC members to facilitate improved care coordination that will reduce the length of hospital stays, improve discharge planning, and reduce the number of preventable readmissions.
The MCDFC provides community-based services and supports to more than 8,500 older adults and people with disabilities across eight southeastern Wisconsin counties. Services include home and community-based services and supports such as home health care, durable medical equipment, physical therapy and other services designed to help people stay as independent as possible.
