Chronic Disease Care

Health West uses a planned care model to treat patients with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This model is built upon research that shows that it leads to improved health outcomes for patients. Our goal is to keep our patients as healthy as possible through structured planned visits, education, and the use of best practice patient care strategies.

We use the Chronic Care Model to help patients with chronic illnesses take an active role in their care by encouraging productive interactions with providers and by providing informative resources and expertise to patients. Each patient is encouraged and helped to develop self management goals. We use this model to improve the patient’s overall health, have more satisfied patients and providers, and reduce medical costs.

Health West supports providers of chronically ill patients by supplying guidelines, specialty expertise, and information systems. The model also encourages patients to be continually informed of their health status and to take an active role in managing their own health.

By following this model, Health West’s care team can help our patients:

• know how to recognize and respond to changes in a chronic disease
• deal with problems and emergencies
• use medicines and treatments effectively
• find and use community resources
• get enough exercise
• cope with fatigue, pain, and sleep problems
• maintain good nutrition
• make decisions about when to seek medical help
• work with your doctor(s) and other care providers
• talk about your illness with family and friends
• manage work, family, and social activities