How Does Research Medical Center Compare in Heart Care?

What are Core Measures?

Core measures are a set of care processes which were initially developed by The Joint Commission, the accrediting body responsible for setting standards for healthcare. The purpose of these standards is to improve the quality of healthcare by implementing a national, standardized performance measurement system. These measures will now be used  by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for reimbursement because the evidence has supported the theory that by using these  measures, there is reduced risk of complications, prevention of recurrences and otherwise standardized treatment for better patient care.

Comparing Performance

Hospitals across the country have been measured and compared by The Joint Commission on its performance in these Core Measures. This data “lags” so that all facilities can be compared equally across time. The information is posted to the Joint Commission website and the www.cms.gov website, on hospital compare. 

What are each of the Core Measures?

There are four categories (acute myocardial infarction, community-acquired pneumonia, congestive heart failure, and surgical care improvement project). Under each category, key actions are listed that represent the most widely accepted, research-based care process for appropriate care.

What are Core Measures and Why are They Important?

• In 1999 the Joint Commission (a governing body that accredits healthcare institutions) created a Cardiovascular Conditions Clinical Advisory Panel in a quest for “core” measures of hospital care.
• A Core Measure is an evidenced-based performance measure that is a process measure (how care is provided). 
• In 2001, the Joint Commission announced an expansion to four of these “core measures” which are: acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care improvement. 
• The Joint Commission partnered with CMS and this became the basis for the 7th Scope of Work and for accreditation of hospitals. 
• Hospitals started collecting data on July 1, 2002. 
• In November 2003, CMS and the Joint Commission agreed on one common set of measure specifications. 
• Healthcare facilities must meet the four measures to be in compliance with both organizations. 
• 70 percent of the reimbursement from CMS to hospitals will center on meeting these measures. 
• For Joint Commission accreditation after January 2012, healthcare facilities must achieve at least an 85 percent compliance on 22 of these measures in order to pass its accreditation. 

Everyone plays a role in helping their organization to achieve this level of success. We owe it to ourselves and to our patients.

"No Excuses. Get Screened."

According to the American Cancer Society, screening exams for early breast cancer detection—before they start to cause symptoms—is one of the best ways to fight the disease. Midwest Breast Care, a service of HCA Midwest Health System—the largest healthcare network in Kansas City—is marking the 26th anniversary of Breast Cancer Awareness Month by emphasizing the importance of early detection through its “No Excuses. Get Screened.” campaign.

Goppert-Trinity Family Care

Since 1974, Goppert-Trinity Family Care has served Kansas City families from its location at the Research Brookside Campus. Thousands of patients depend on Goppert-Trinity Family Care each year to meet their family's healthcare needs. Call (816) 276-7600 to schedule your appointment today!

Rick Brown, MD, FACC, Joins Midwest Heart Associates

Rick Brown, MD, FACC, has joined Midwest Heart Associates and the medical staff of Research Medical Center and Research Belton Hospital. Dr. Brown has 13 years experience providing care for cardiovascular patients in the Kansas City area. 

Dr. Brown practices as an invasive, non-interventional cardiologist. Clinical skills include pacemaker and device implantation, nuclear cardiology, transthoracic/transesophageal echocardiography, isation, advanced lipid management, and preventative cardiology. Dr. Brown received his medical degree from the University of Kansas Medical Center where he also completed his internal medicine residency and cardiovascular fellowship.  

The addition of Dr. Brown will allow Dr. Carrie Totta to serve the Cass/Harrisonville community on a full-time basis. Dr. Totta will also provide back-up for Dr. Brown in the Belton area. This deployment will enhance cardiovascular services and quality for both markets.

Dr. Brown is now accepting new patients. To schedule a patient appointment, call:

• Research Medical Center Location - (816) 276-4800 
• Research Belton Hospital Multi-Specialty Clinic - (816) 348-1291

Jessica Mowry, MD, Joins Brookside Family Medical Group

Jessica Mowry, MD, has recently joined Brookside Family Medical Group. Specializing in obstetrics, including prenatal care, labor management, postpartum and newborn care, Dr. Mowry provides the full scope of medicine for the entire family.

She received her medical degree at the Medical School for International Health - Ben Gurion University in Israel and served her residency through the Research Family Medicine Residency program.

Dr. Mowry is accepting new patients and accepts all major insurance plans. Call (816) 276-6405 to schedule an appointment. 

Julie Wood, MD, Elected to American Academy of Family Physicians Board of Directors

Julie K. Wood, MD, FAAFP, a family physician in Kansas City, Mo., has been elected to the board of directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians. The AAFP represents 100,300 physicians and medical students nationwide. Wood was elected to a three-year term by the AAFP’s governing body, the Congress of Delegates.

As a board member of the AAFP, Wood will advocate on behalf of family physicians and patients nationwide to inspire positive change in the U.S. healthcare system.

Wood has been a practicing family physician for nearly 20 years. She is currently in practice as associate director of Research Family Medicine Residency Program in Kansas City, Mo., where she is especially involved in the maternity care curriculum and serves as the medical director of Goppert-Trinity Family Care, a 55-provider outpatient clinic. Wood is the physician lead for their clinic’s involvement in a multi-center patient-centered medical home pilot project and is especially enthusiastic about training physicians how to practice in the medical home.

A member of the AAFP since 1988, Wood has served on numerous committees and commissions, including the Commission on Public Health and Science, the Commission on Health Care Services, the Commission on Membership and Member Services, and the Committee for Special Constituencies. She most recently served as chair of the Commission on Public Health and Science.

A member of the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians since 1988, Wood has held numerous positions on the board of directors, including a term as president. She currently serves as the chapter’s delegate to the AAFP Congress of Delegates and also serves on the Missouri AFP Education Committee. Wood also served as the chair of VIGOR (Volunteers Investigating Growth Opportunities and Restructuring), a committee to revitalize and strategically plan for the future of the Missouri AFP.

Throughout her career, Wood has been active in promoting and spreading awareness concerning breastfeeding. She currently serves on the AAFP’s Breastfeeding Advisory Committee and represents the AAFP to the United States Breastfeeding Committee.

Wood earned her undergraduate degree and her medical degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Wood then completed her residency at Via Christi-St. Francis Family Medicine Residency Program in Wichita, Kan. She is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and has the AAFP Degree of Fellow, an earned degree awarded to family physicians for distinguished service and continuing medical education.

EMS Great Save Celebration

First responders who were first on the scene to aid 17-year-old Jackson Hill following a severe motorcycle accident on Highway 13 near Warrensburg, Mo., were reunited with Jackson and his family. On June 13, ambulances from Warrensburg responded to the accident which left Jackson without a pulse or blood pressure. In addition, the teen lost his right leg below the knee at the scene. Life Flight was called to transfer him to Research Medical Center’s Level I Trauma Center where he spent three weeks in the Intensive Care Unit and underwent multiple surgeries. Jackson has remained in the hospital, working on his recovery.

Jackson Hill surrounded by his mother and members of the Johnson County
Ambulance District EMS Team   

H. Scott Bjerke, MD, trauma surgeon and director of the Level I Trauma Center at Research Medical Center, presents Jackson with a special Superman T-shirt

Vascular Care at Research Medical Center

Check out our latest video featuring Joe Cates, MD, general and vascular surgeon. Research Medical Center operates the largest abdominal aortic aneurysm stent graft program in the region.

Research Brookside Campus Redevelopment Update

A local Kansas City developer, Rockhill Greens, has purchased 13 under-utilized acres of the Research Brookside Campus from Research Medical Center, located at 6601 Rockhill Road in Kansas City, Missouri. 

The concept for the new development is an environmentally responsible community including residential housing and commercial businesses, seamlessly integrated into the existing medical uses that will continue to be offered on the Research Brookside Campus. The development will promote a healthy-living life-style and sustainable design with parks, gardens, landscaping, and walking trails throughout the campus. The total acreage of the Research Brookside Campus is approximately 25 acres. Research Medical Center will retain the 6675 Holmes medical office building, the former hospital tower building and the connecting auditorium.

Some possible projects being proposed for the new development include assisted living and independent-living senior housing, adult day care and memory care facilities, data center/back office operations, market-rate townhouses or work-force housing, healthy-living themed retail such as a restaurant, coffee shop, organic grocery store, health club, and other commercial uses that embrace socially and environmentally responsible community development.

“We look forward to creating a unique mixed use community that focuses on a balance of sustainability, community programming, and favorable returns for our investors,” says Kelley Hrabe, president of The Net Giver, who will be the project manager for the development. 

Tony Krsnich, vice president of Real Estate and Finance with Landmark Investment Group, leads the investment team for the development. “We are Brookside residents and look forward to redeveloping and integrating this project into the surrounding community,” states Mr. Krsnich. 

“We have been working closely with the development team for over three years now,” explains Kevin J. Hicks, chief executive officer of Research Medical Center and the Research Brookside Campus. “We are very pleased the result of this working relationship is an agreement to help develop the Research Brookside Campus into a first class sustainably-designed community.” Research Medical Center, along with the support of HCA, Inc., continues to reinvest in the outpatient and emergency services offered at the Research Brookside Campus, reinforcing its commitment to providing a broad spectrum of healthcare services to the surrounding community.

“HCA Midwest Health System is proud to support the efforts of this community-based redevelopment project. We’re looking forward to expanding our healthcare services on the Research Brookside Campus to continue to grow and meet the needs of the community,” said M.L. Lagarde, president of HCA Midwest Health System.