September 23, 2024
The Montana Hospital Association (MHA) recently named St. Peter’s Health’s Housing is Healthcare initiative the winner of the association’s 2024 Innovation in Healthcare Award.
Innovation plays a key role in maintaining quality in today's healthcare environment. The Innovation in Healthcare Award was established to salute the innovations being developed by Montana's hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare providers. Entries were judged not only on the quality of the project but also on how it fits into the organization's vision, its effectiveness, its benefit to the community, and its applicability to other facilities.
According to St. Peter’s Supervisor of Community Based Services Kayla Morris, the inspiration for the program stemmed from a recognition of the interconnectedness between social determinants of health, such as housing stability, and healthcare outcomes. “Observing the challenges faced by individuals experiencing housing insecurity, along with their frequent visits to the Emergency Room, inspired us to create a proactive solution that addresses both their medical and social needs,” said Morris.
St. Peter’s Frequent User Systems Engagement (FUSE) program (also known as Housing is Healthcare), initiated through a Montana Healthcare Foundation Housing is Healthcare grant, integrates healthcare and housing stability to support high-need patients. The program identifies individuals with frequent Emergency Room visits and housing instability, and pairs them with a St. Peter’s Community Health Worker to offer tailored interventions and support through the St. Peter’s Population Health team, its Complex Care teams and other community resources. By addressing root causes of health issues, such as unstable housing, FUSE aims to reduce strain on healthcare services and provide cost savings for the hospital and community.
This innovative approach has demonstrated great success over the past few years, with early impacts evident since its inception in April 2022. “We say we want to be the gold standard for healthcare in Montana,” said Morris. “This program epitomizes this vision and sets a new standard for healthcare delivery that prioritizes compassion, innovation, and community stewardship. Together, we are not just treating illnesses; we are building a healthier, more resilient future for all.”
“St. Peter’s innovative approach to provide holistic, tailored support to vulnerable members of its community through its Housing is Healthcare program has made a transformative impact,” said Bob Olsen, Montana Hospital Association President and CEO. “Innovations like these serve as wonderful inspiration for work that can improve care and patient outcomes.”
