As one of the Presidential Initiatives acknowledged in the December 2017 AdvancingU recognition, the RMUoHP Foundation’s Community Rehabilitation Clinic (CRC) is once again highlighted for work that underscores our shared common vision: to advance the quality, delivery and efficacy of healthcare. In addition, this exceptional May AdvancingU team of Dr. Coleby Clawson and Vic Morris underscores the foundational underpinning of our core value of service. The CRC has created a vibrant learning environment for students and faculty. The opportunity to tell the story of the ongoing growth and profound impact of a clinic meeting the demand for physical therapy services for the underserved and uninsured citizens of Utah County while creating a living classroom is inspiring.
Providing high quality patient care is paramount to the CRC. The CRC’s patient outcomes are measured by FOTO (Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes), a national outcomes management system that provides risk-adjusted, benchmarked reporting and quality management. The system compares the CRC patient rehabilitation outcomes to care provided nationally by 3,400 clinics, 15,000 clinicians, and 11 million patients nationwide. The most recent CRC FOTO results include:
- Clinic effectiveness in the 59th percentile (above the national average of 50);
- Clinic utilization in the 88th percentile (CRC produced above-average results in eight patient visits compared to the national average 12 visits).
- Cost savings of $541 per patient episode (based on Medicare rates for eight patient visits instead of 12); and,
- Overall, a patient satisfaction rating of 97.3%.
Increasing numbers of volunteer physical therapist, including many faculty from our DPT program, provide sound evidence-based care and have allowed for expanded clinic hours. In fact, it is not unexpected to see President Nielsen doing EMGs in the early mornings prior to his workday demonstrating that the ethos of service at RMU starts at the top!
Last year, students from Rocky Mountain University, Brigham Young University, and Utah Valley University collectively volunteered over 1,500 hours of community service at the CRC assisting in treating patients with physical therapy needs. In addition, other necessary service are provided through volunteer hours. For instance, pro bono institutional technology services have enhanced clinic-tracking features that allow more accurate compiling of volunteer hours. From 2015 thru March 2018 the CRC has treated 855 patients through 5,114 patient visits. Just in the first quarter of 2018, the CRC has evaluated 129 new patients. The total cost savings to these patients and the community is projected at $675,207 based on Medicare rates (see figure below).
We thank this service-centered AdvancingU team for providing critical physical therapy services to those in need in Utah County and for creating another path to learning and service in our RMUoHP community.
