Children’s program celebrates one year
by Mary
Helen Yarborough Public Relations
The old Baker Hospital Building in North Charleston bustled with proud foster parents, happy children and a host of state and MUSC officials who gathered to celebrate the first anniversary of MUSC’s Medically Fragile Children’s Program.
The celebration marked the first milestone of an unprecedented intra-state partnership with the sole purpose of improving the lives of foster care children with otherwise overwhelming medical challenges.
MFCP pharmacist
DeAnn Tuttle and Keyshawn Britt blow out the candle Aug. 15.The MUSC Medically Fragile Children’s Program (MFCP) opened in August 2005. The MFCP is the first model of its kind in the United States that is an all-inclusive, family-centered medical program for special needs children in foster care, said Pat Votava, the program’s manager. The first MFCP program was started at Richland Memorial Hospital in 1997. The MFCP is the first program to be directly linked to a children’s hospital, Votava explained.
It is described as a “one stop shop,” which provides primary care, nursing care, medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, supplies, durable medical equipment, nutritional counseling, a day program and care management at one location.
“The Medically Fragile Children’s Program is an example of how care can be provided for a medically complicated case needing multiple disciplines involved,” said John Sanders, Children’s Hospital administrator. “It is also a good example of how hospitals and state agencies can come together and work through various issues to focus on the patient. We have had a great first year and it is wonderful to see such a dedicated team working there.”
Votava reported high marks achieved in the first year of the program, which she said would likely be mirrored or even better in the years to come.
“Tremendously successful defines the results of the first year of the Medically Fragile Children’s Program,” Votava said. “One hundred percent of the enrolled children have improved medical outcomes. Fifty percent of the enrolled children are in the adoption process. Foster parents and caregivers have given the program a 100-percent satisfaction rating.”
The adoption rates for foster care children with special needs were 5 percent prior to the inception of the MFCP, Votava said. “The rate is now 50 percent for the MUSC Medically Fragile Children’s Program,” she added. “This program is proof that an innovative medical program that pairs foster parents/parents, special needs children and a team of medical professionals together to form a family centered team can positively impact the health outcomes of special needs children.”
Votava cited support from departments throughout the MUSC system that played a significant factor in the success of the program. The program results from a partnership between South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Department of Social Services (DSS) and Children’s Hospital.
“The partnership between DSS, MUSC and DHHS in developing a Medically Fragile Children’s Program for the Charleston area is a wonderful example of interagency cooperation to improve the lives of children who have complex medical problems,” said Charlie Wadsworth, DSS program manager. “The staff at the Charleston MFCP are very competent and caring, and go above and beyond expectations in order to make sure that the children are provided a comprehensive, coordinated service that addresses their needs.”
In fact, the National Association of Children’s Hospitals produced a case study on the MFCP calling it “an innovative state Medicaid program in partnership with a children’s hospital.” The case study was distributed to all member children’s hospitals in the nation.
The program serves medically-complicated children, from infant to 21 years of age, who are in foster care in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties. Votava said that eventually the program will be expanded to all Medicaid eligible medically complicated children in the Tri-county area who meet enrollment criteria.
The revenue stream that supports the program come from DHHS, which pays MUSC a bundled rate per-member-per-month, and DSS, which pays MUSC on a cost-based reimbursement for a broad-base of education and training related activities.
Beverly Hamilton, DHHS, said the program proves that state funds can act as an “investment,” because each dollar spent on these children saves money in the long run.
“We actually save money in the long term by funding this type of program,” Hamilton said. “It definitely has been a wise use of funding.”
Medically complicated children often have lengthy hospital stays, Votava said. Many stay in the hospital while awaiting placement in foster homes. The program cuts the length of hospital stay, decreases the number of emergency room visits and increases the adoption rate of special needs children in foster care.
The program services are accessible 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year, and the MFCP has its own pediatrician, Kara Blevens, M.D. Acceptance into the program follows an assessment process to determine whether the applicant meets threshold eligibility criteria. The general definition of children served is a child with a primary medical diagnosis indicating a chronic or severe illness and a secondary diagnosis that is generally co-morbid. The program does not accept children with a primary psychiatric diagnosis, ventilator dependent children, or children with an oncology diagnosis.
“Just 12 short months ago this program started with high expectations. In that time the program has accepted 21 foster care children into the program. I felt confident going into this endeavor that we would be able to impact the health of these children,” said Steven Godbold, financial officer of the Children’s Hospital. “What I did not expect was the tremendous social impact we would have. Of the 21 kids that we have, half of them have been adopted, or are in the process of adoption. This is a testament to the MFCP team and the job that they do. I would like to congratulate Pat Votava and her team for exceeding expectations and fostering MUSC Excellence.”
For information on the Medically Fragile Children’s Program, contact Votava at 876-7012 or e-mail votava@musc.edu.
Friday, Aug.25, 2006
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