The audience of 170 attending the Delaware Bio breakfast event last eek learned more about efforts by Christiana Care and other entities to improve health in the region.
Delaware Bio, headquartered in Newark, represents the state’s growing biotechnology community.
Presenters included Dr. William Weintraub, John H. Ammon chair of Cardiology and founding director of the Center for Outcomes Research, Value Institute; Dr. Heather Bittner Fagan,, associate vice chair of research, Family & Community Medicine; and Dr. Mary L. Drees, infection prevention officer and hospital epidemiologist for Christiana Care.
A key element in the work on health outcomes is the ACCEL consortium, which includes the University of Delaware, Christiana Care, Nemours and the Medical College of South Carolina
In October 2013, the consortium received $25 million from the National Institutes for Health for community-based research. Findings are being used improve health outcomes, with an emphasis on better treating those with lower incomes.
Delaware and South Carolina are known for having high incidences of chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes, as well as high cancer rates.
The research is aimed at moving past the normal model of clinical research that typically focuses on a tiny sliver of the population that might not be representative of the challenges faced in a larger population.
Tools used include the use of “big data” that analyzes vast amounts of information within the patient population as well as community engagement that uses social media, meetings and other means to provide education and information.
The effort also includes determining the needs and issues of sub-groups in the population, one example being cancer survivors.
Drees outlined work by Christiana Care in preventing infections.
One successful effort involved getting employees getting flu vaccinations.
Over the years, the health system had seen a vaccination rate that hovered around the national average of 60 to 70 percent among health care workers.
Drees says Christiana took a comprehensive approach that included making vaccinations as convenient as possible and determining why employees rejected vaccinations The percentage of staff members received flu vaccine has now risen to 90 percent, she noted.
Like other health care providers, Christina faces challenges in dealing with infections with catheters, endoscopy equipment and other areas.
In the case of catheters, procedures are in place that empower nurses to take steps to ensure that proper procedures are being followed.
Drees is also an advocate for transparency, although figures can sometimes be viewed as misleading.
She noted that findings on infection rates and other data are now widely available to the public.
In brief remarks, Delaware Economic Development Office Director Bernice Whaley said medical research is an important part of the state’s economy. Whaley took over the post on July 1.
Clinical trials alone having $10 million economic impact in the state, she said.
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