DMC Gateway program reduces ER visits, admissions, improves primary care

An innovative program to reduce costs, improve care continuity and connect high users of emergency departments at four Detroit Medical Center hospitals with a primary care team has led to significant reductions in unnecessary ER visits, hospitalizations and readmissions, said a top DMC physician executive.DMC’s Gateway to Health program — funded by a three-year, $10 million grant through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 — has enrolled more than 6,500 people and enabled those patients to visit DMC Gateway outpatient clinics a total of 16,000 times over nearly three years, said Dr. Suzanne White, DMC’s chief medical officer.While financial savings and complete patient outcome data isn’t expected until later this year, White said the federal government is