Holden launches effort to manage chronic diseases

Gov. Bob Holden launched an initiative Friday intended to improve management of health care for those with chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart problems.

The idea is that by involving people more in the treatment and management of their disease, they will be healthier and have lower medical bills in the long run.

"Our state cannot continue to provide acute medical care in a chronic care world," Holden said at a conference on chronic disease management at Osage Beach. "We need a system that is less reactive and more proactive."

The state Department of Health and Senior Services developed a plan with ideas for hospitals and doctors' offices to provide care for the chronically ill that's more efficient and focused on patients. A federal grant is providing most of the funding for the project, the governor's office said.

Holden said a similar approach, while costing more up front, has saved hundreds of dollars per patient over time in other states.

Cross Trails Medical Clinic in Marble Hill, Mo., has participated since August 2003 in a federal program similar to what Holden proposed.

The National Diabetes Collaborative, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Bureau of Primary Health Care, is a plan implemented by federally funded health-care centers like Cross Trails to improve the level of care for diabetics.

Dr. Edward Doyle, who is involved in the program in Marble Hill, said it's a standardized approach.

"It's one-stop shopping for diabetics. We do everything we for them in one spot," Doyle said.

Every Tuesday, Cross Trails holds a Diabetic Day during which it monitors patients' blood pressure and adjusts medications. The clinic also does lab work, has a diabetes educator on hand and offers other services to diabetics.

"Patients love the care and everything else involved," Doyle said. "And we can see an improvement in our patients because they're more involved."

Doyle said Cross Trails hopes to expand the program to clinics in Advance, Mo., and Cape Girardeau this summer.

Staff writer Callie Clark contributed to this report.