MORRISTOWN: Atlantic Health System, Hunterdon Healthcare System finalize alliance

This alliance allows the health care organizations to collaborate on several initiatives

   Atlantic Health System and Hunterdon Healthcare System have announced the signing of documents to create a jointly owned health care alliance, The Midjersey Health Alliance, formed to provide patients in Hunterdon, Somerset, Mercer and Warren counties greater care coordination and expanded services. While each system will retain its independence, the alliance will create significant clinical and economic efficiencies to lower the cost of health care while providing the highest quality services.
   In early 2012, a Hunterdon Healthcare task force including representatives of the board of trustees, medical staff and management, reviewed proposals received from several health care systems both within and outside New Jersey. The Board of Hunterdon Healthcare concluded that the proposed alliance with Atlantic Health System best meets the objectives set by the task force while maintaining its mission as an independent community health care organization. A letter of intent between Hunterdon Healthcare System and Atlantic Health System was signed in October 2012.
   Robert Wise, president and CEO of Hunterdon Healthcare System, noted, “This strategic alliance with Atlantic Health System gives Hunterdon Healthcare a dynamic partner while maintaining our strong commitment to independence and local control. Atlantic Health will enable us to participate in larger and broader healthcare improvement initiatives that would not be possible for Hunterdon Healthcare alone. We are truly pleased about what this means for the future of our community.”
   ”In this changing health care landscape, we find ourselves talking to a wide range of potential partners, affiliates, and other systems, and we have charted a very specific course for our future,” said Joseph A. Trunfio, president and CEO, Atlantic Health System. “Atlantic Health System and Hunterdon Healthcare System are advancing shared objectives to work toward improving the health status of the communities we serve. This alliance offers community members more immediate access to certain specialty services and advanced technology. Patients should expect the best clinical and evidence based practices without duplicating efforts and testing, thereby also reducing costs to families.”
   This alliance allows the health care organizations to collaborate on several initiatives, including:
   — Development of a joint physician recruitment plan to place key subspecialty physicians within the Hunterdon community.
   — Provide Hunterdon physicians with access to technology and services in Atlantic Health System facilities, such as robotic surgery and cardiac electrophysiology.
   — Joint strategic planning initiatives to expand clinical offerings at both organizations.
   — Implementation of health care cost reduction strategies, such as purchase of supplies, implants, pharmaceuticals and information technology.
   — Opportunities for sharing/implementing quality, performance improvement, patient safety and patient satisfaction strategies.
   — Improving the coordination of care for those patients of Hunterdon who require tertiary care at Atlantic Health System.
   — Joint investments in outpatient facilities.
   The ultimate goals of the Alliance are to improve the quality, experience and efficiency of healthcare for patients, as well as improving the health of the population jointly served by the two organizations.