Owensboro Health Joins National Effort to Enhance Care for Seniors

With immense pride, Owensboro Health announces its inclusion in a groundbreaking national initiative focused on transforming care for our seniors. Spearheaded by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the Age-Friendly System-Wide Spread Collaborative brings together 30 distinguished health systems from across the United States, all united in a common goal: to broadly implement and expedite the adoption of evidence-based care practices and the highest quality for our older adult population. This initiative marks an important chapter in the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement, renowned for advocating the 4Ms framework of care – focusing on What Matters, Medication, Mentation and Mobility.

Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, which previously distinguished itself in 2021 by receiving the Committed to Care Excellence designation through its steadfast application of the 4Ms, is ready to elevate its commitment even further. Over the next 18 months, 

Owensboro Health will spearhead innovative efforts to integrate the 4Ms into every aspect of care across its comprehensive network, ensuring that senior patients experience the highest standard of care wherever they are seen.

As part of this commitment, Owensboro Health pledges to:

• Ensure consistency of the 4Ms across existing facilities with age-friendly designation, including Owensboro Health Regional Hospital and Family Medicine – Breckenridge.
• Expand the use of the 4Ms to their:
  • Two additional hospital locations
  • Two Long-term Care Units
  • Fifteen Primary Care Clinics
  • Five Urgent Care facilities
• Collaborate closely with EPIC documentation specialists to integrate the 4Ms framework, guaranteeing that this approach to care is reflected in the treatment of every older adult served.

"Leading the way in patient care means relentlessly seeking innovative and validated methods to deliver safe, equitable, and effective care to all our patients," said Mark Marsh, President and CEO of Owensboro Health. "Through our engagement in the Age-Friendly Systems-Wide Spread Collaborative, we're not just enhancing our commitment; we're equipping ourselves with the essential tools to ensure every older adult receives exemplary care at every point of interaction within our system."

To achieve this standard across the health system, Owensboro Health will participate in:

• ​​18-month collaboration with 30 health systems
• 3 in-person learning sessions
• 7 all-participant calls with 30 health systems
• 7 virtual coaching calls with an assigned coach
• Online competency-based peer coaching and opportunities to share best practices
• Data sharing on internal process and outcome metrics

Leslie Pelton, MPA, Vice President, IHI, lauds Owensboro Health’s proactive stance: “We’re deeply moved by Owensboro Health's dedication to the equitable provision of age-friendly care across their vast network of facilities. This initiative is ambitious and reflects the growing imperative of preparing our health systems and workforce to meet the unique needs of the burgeoning older adult population with excellence.”

Since its inception in 2018, the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement has garnered significant recognition, accrediting 3,907 care settings and benefiting over 3.29 million seniors with care practices that resonate with their personal values and needs. This initiative stands as a collaborative effort between The John A. Hartford Foundation and IHI, in partnership with the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), underlining a collective commitment to reimagining elder care for a brighter, healthier future.

Owensboro Health is at the forefront of this compassionate and essential evolution in healthcare, demonstrating dedication to the well-being of older adults and their families in the community.