Karen Clark, M.D., honored for WVU Medicine’s Complex Care Plans for High Utilizers program

Karen Clark, M.D., MACP, FRCP, professor in the West Virginia University Department of Medicine, was recently honored with the Certified in Health Care Quality and Management Diplomate Achievement Award at the annual conference of the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians in Clearwater, Florida.

Dr. Clark was chosen for the award based on the success of WVU Medicine’s Complex Care Plans for High Utilizers program, a quality improvement initiative co-led by physician advisors and an interdisciplinary team that manages the overuse of emergency department services and resources while preventing adverse outcomes.

The award recognizes those who lead a sustainable change in quality management, measurable improvement in patient safety and provider engagement on a large scale.

Clark said she’s honored to accept the award on behalf of the multidisciplinary team who has played a role in its success.

Data shows that high-utilizing, medically complex patients are at risk of suffering unintended consequences from fragmented care.

“This is especially true in rural areas where emergency rooms and hospitals serve as safety nets for patients without traditional primary-care ties,” Clark said. “Our individualized care plans have effectively reduced utilization, improved patient safety and have been well received by both patients and physicians.”

WVU Medicine’s Complex Care Plans for High Utilizers program demonstrated a reduction in patient hospital admission, patient readmission, as well as their annual emergency department visits, need for radiology procedures, and more completed outpatient visits with fewer cancelled appointments and no-shows.

Under her leadership, the program has grown to be co-led by physician advisors and an interdisciplinary team to manage the overuse of emergency department services and resources while preventing adverse outcomes. It’s improved safety for patients, financial outcomes and has a high acceptance among physicians.

In addition to her role with this project, Clark provides physician advisory services to the WVU Medicine Health System and previously served as chief and medical director of Care Management and Utilization Review.

To learn more about the project, visit the award site.