Serving Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell and

Hampton counties

Mission To affect positive change in the access,

delivery, availability, and affordability of quality health care and support the delivery of these benefits to the residents of the Low Country.

Vision To provide a vertically integrated delivery

system that respects member autonomy while focusing on “common ground” issues which enhance health services, promote healthier communities, accommodate changing conditions throughout the service area and reduce member operating costs.

Not-for-profit, 501©(3) organization formed in 1998

Network Members – each member has a seat on Board of Directors and include:

Allendale County Hospital, CEO Bamberg County Hospital & Nursing Center, CEO Barnwell County Hospital, CEO Hampton Regional Medical Center, CEO Low Country Health Care System, Executive

Director Public Health Departments, District Director SC Office of Rural Health, Executive Director

(partner)New members: USC Salkehatchie (Dean) & Harrison Peeples Rural Health Clinic (NP)

Allendale – 11,000 populationUninsured – 38%Ranks lowest in the state among % of

families living below poverty levelPer capita income is lowest in state at

$7,458Critical Access Hospital

Bamberg - 16,900 populationUninsured - 39%

Barnwell - 23,000 populationUninsured – 28.9%

Hampton - 21,000 populationUninsured – 38.3%

Total Population of service area: 72,000Based on 2000 census, 34,803 person have incomes below

200% poverty in 4 county area

Allendale County Hospital – Aiken – Augusta - Walterboro -Charleston

Bamberg County Hospital – Orangeburg – Columbia (little bit to Charleston)

Barnwell County Hospital – Aiken – Augusta

Hampton Regional Medical Center – Beaufort – Charleston -

Operates 2 offices – Bamberg & Allendale Current operating budget - $750,000

which currently consists of revenue from mobile MRI services and a grant from AccessHealth (partnership b/w SCHA and The Duke Endowment)

Physician recruitment Marketing/Advertising Grant writing – over $5 million in last 6

years Radiology - 24/7 coverage Teleradiology/PACS Mobile MRI Centralized Credentialing IT/Computer support Transcription Shared staffing positions Group Purchasing

Four hospitals came together during a time of crisis in 2003 when Radiology group decided to STOP providing services to Allendale, Bamberg and Barnwell Hospitals and formed a Radiology Group

For three years, these Radiologists provided on-site coverage to 4 hospitals

Hospitals experienced tremendous growth

Bamberg Hired FT Radiologist Allendale/Barnwell share a FT Radiologist Hampton hire ¾ Radiologist

LCHCN was awarded a grant by Duke Endowment to implement a 4 county-wide Picture Archiving Communications System (PACS)

All 4 hospitals have infrastructure in place to provide 24 hour/7 day/week Radiology coverage

Hospitals have the ability to send CTs, ultrasounds, MRIs, nuclear studies and plain films through PACS

Hospitals can send to each other for Radiology back-up

Mobile Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is provided on-site to three network hospitals one day/week

LCHCN obtained a loan from Wachovia as well as SC Office of Rural Health’s Revolving Loan Fund to purchase the mobile MRI unit and the loan was guaranteed by the hospitals

LCHCN conducts the billing and the revenue is used to sustain the services of the network

LCHCN leases the unit to another rural hospital one day of the week and a physician’s practice one day/week

LCHCN currently performs approximately 35 – 40 scans per week

LCHCN at one time provided credentialing services for three of four hospitals in LCHCN service area

LCHCN developed one application form for the provider as he/she was applying for all three hospitals (teleradiologists, radiologist, general surgeon, poditrist, etc.)

LCHCN provided this service because of shared Radiology program

Credentialing Coordinator resigned in July 2008 so each hospital picked up their own work

Currently reviewing option of centralized credentialing program for network members again as well as developing model for charging health plans a fee for verifying provider privileges

Transcription was a need identified by network members at the 2004 Strategic Planning session

Through a grant, LCHCN purchased a dictation system and provided services to its network members beginning January 15, 2006

LCHCN provided transcription services to 3 member hospitals, 3 physician offices within the service area and two physician offices outside the service area

LCHCN developed marketing materials for this service

Discontinued service 2 years ago Plans to revisit service and based on need

will offer to network members again

Patient Care Advocate (PCA) in docs offices to review patients’ charts and identify preventive screenings needed

Physician recommends screening (typically at local hospital)

Radiology volumes grew at hospitals - HRMC experienced 24% growth in colorectal screenings and 58% growth in screening mammograms

Marketing campaign in four county area to include billboards, radio ads, newspaper ads and Ministerial Alliance luncheons

Established Patient Assistance Fund thru churches to pay for office visits, transportation and medications

Case Management – managed load of approximately 300 patients at any given time in service area

Diabetes education – two hospitals were certified as Diabetic Teaching Centers with the aid of a Certified Diabetic Educator and can bill for the visits

Pharmacy Tech – Accessed over $300,000 of free medications for un/underinsured patients over one year for Bamberg County ( AWP Average Wholesale Price)

Enrolled over 400 people in Medicaid

Worked with SC Budget & Control Board to compile market analysis data for LCHCN service area

Identified that competition b/w counties is not significant

Allowed each hospital to identify areas of outreach for their services

Allowed for a regional physician recruitment plan

Plans to repeat study for more current data

Expand Mobile MRI Services/Upgrade MRI unit

Develop Transcription Services Maintain Group Purchasing for supplies

for hospitals and develop Group Purchasing for physician practices

Address regional recruiting with new data Develop Strategic Plan for new Revenue

Streams

Kathy Schwarting, MHAExecutive Director

P.O. Box 177Bamberg, SC 29003803-245-6673 office803-707-2378 cell