Providence St. Joseph Health (“Providence”)

1. Top 10 Disparities

2. Equity Plan

Every year, our hospitals in California share reports with the state to show how we're working to make health care fair for everyone. These reports include data about how well we care for patients from different backgrounds, and plans to improve care where there are gaps. At Providence, our Mission is to serve all with compassion and excellence. We believe everyone deserves high-quality care, no matter who they are. Summary of Healthcare Disparities and Action Plans Across Our Hospitals Reducing 30-Day Readmission Rates - Comprehensive Discharge Planning: Early case management, clear education, scheduling follow-ups, and warm handoffs to next level of care. - Medication Management: Reconciliation prior to discharge, pharmacy partnerships, and post-discharge follow-up calls. - Patient Education: Teach-back methods, inclusion of family/caregivers, tailored materials, and use of EHR interventions to identify high-risk patients. - Addressing SDoH: Screening for transportation, food, and housing barriers; connecting patients to community resources. - Committee Oversight: Multi-professional readmission committees review cases, establish goals, and share best practices. Maternal Health Initiatives - NTSV Cesarean Rate Reduction: Provider-level performance transparency, mandatory training, case reviews, and labor management bundles. - Exclusive Breast Milk Feeding: Extended lactation coverage, bilingual education, outpatient support, and donor milk programs. - Doula Partnerships: Promotion of labor support and advocacy, especially for first-time mothers and Medicaid populations. Enhancing Patient Experience (HCAHPS) - Teach-Back and Written Information: Ensuring patients receive clear, written instructions about symptoms and care after discharge. - Leader and Hourly Rounding: Structured rounding scripts, patient care boards, and regular feedback to improve education and satisfaction. - Person-Centered Care: Screening for preferred language, interpreter services, and personalized care plans. - Social Needs Integration: Use of platforms like FindHelp to connect patients to local resources for housing, food, and transportation. Behavioral Health Focus - Early Assessment and Follow-Up: Behavioral health assessment at admission, engagement of mental health resources, and warm handoffs to outpatient care. - Substance Use Disorder Programs: Education on follow-up and medication management, aiming for increased attendance at follow-up visits. - Telehealth Integration: For behavioral health support during hospitalization. Data-Driven Improvement - Dashboard Integration: Disparity data incorporated into readmissions dashboard and high-risk stratification. - Continuous Review: Regular case reviews, rapid improvement events, and feedback loops to sustain outcomes and drive change. Overarching Strategy The approach is systemic and patient-centered, embedding equity into care delivery through language access, behavioral health integration, and SDoH screening. The organization partners with community resources to address barriers beyond clinical care, aiming for measurable improvements in outcomes, cost reduction, and patient satisfaction. Continuous improvement cycles and transparent data sharing ensure accountability and progress toward health equity for all patient groups.

3. Web Address for Equity Report

https://www.providence.org/about/health-equity

4. Download Equity Measures Report

Click on the link below to download the equity measures report.