Health centers cut ER use

A Worcester community health center led the way in a statewide effort to reduce costly, unnecessary emergency room visits.

Family Health Center cut its ER visits by 15 percent from 2006 to 2007 after creating a nurse triage system and adopting appointments for its urgent care department. Overall, ER visits dropped by 2 percent at the 21 health centers participating in a state initiative administered by Neighborhood Health Plan and the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. The pilot program was funded by a $4 million grant from the state Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

At Family Health, nurses contacted patients whose records showed they had gone to hospital emergency rooms for care they could have received at the health center. Patients were encouraged to call Family Health the next time so a nurse or doctor could match them to the care they need.