UHC ACU Case Study
The University Health Consortium completed an ACU case study based on an early implementation of the ACU® care model. The case study uses UHC’s expected mortality data to gauge ACU impact on mortality. Additional data was provided by the facility about:
- discharges to hospice,
- length of stay,
- hypo- and hyper- glycemic events, and
- patient satisfaction measured by Press Ganey data.
The facility discussed is the largest health system in Georgia (US), with 6 hospitals reporting 3.6 million patient visits each year (at the time of publication).
To achieve consistent team-based care, the facility created the first Accountable Care Unit (ACU® Unit) featuring unit-based teams and Structured Interdisciplinary Bedside Rounds (SIBR® rounds).
In summary, more cohesive teams reduced mortality, length-of-stay, and pages and phone calls, while boosting patient satisfaction and enhancing staff engagement and accountability.