title: Expanding Access to Care and Improving Quality in the Mid-Atlantic States Safety-Net Clinics: Kaiser Permanente's Community Ambassador Program.
abstract: The Community Ambassador Program (CAP) in the Mid-Atlantic States Region places Kaiser Permanente-employed nurse practitioners, midwives, and physician assistants to work in the safety-net clinics and share best practices through a long-term community collaboration. The authors conducted an evaluation of 18 safety-net clinics that participated in the CAP in 2012. The Community Ambassadors provided an estimated 32,249 encounters to 11,988 patients. Performance was at or near 90% for 2 adult quality measures (weight screening and tobacco use assessment). For breast cancer screenings, however, performance among the Community Ambassadors was much lower (48%). The program expanded access and improved quality of care.
authors.affiliation: Former Research Scientist at the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group in Rockville, MD. jared.maeda@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jared Lane K
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.affiliation: Community Ambassador at the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States in Rockville, MD. jacqueline.j.bradley@kp.org.
authors.forename: Jacqueline J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.affiliation: Director of Community Outreach Operations at the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States in Rockville, MD. sarah.r.eissler@kp.org.
authors.forename: Sarah R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Eissler
authors.affiliation: Former Emergency Physician at the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group in Rockville, MD. busisiwel@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lobrano
authors.affiliation: Director of Safety Net Partnerships at the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States in Rockville, MD. mindy.r.rubin@kp.org.
authors.forename: Mindy R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.affiliation: Senior Director of External Affairs at the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States in Rockville, MD. maritha.gay@kp.org.
authors.forename: Maritha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gay
authors.affiliation: Executive Director of Research and Community Benefit at the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute and Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group in Rockville, MD. michael.horberg@kp.org.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Horberg
authors.affiliation: Executive Director of the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group in Rockville, MD, and an Associate Executive Director of The Permanente Medical Group in Oakland, CA. bernadette.loftus@kp.org.
authors.forename: Bernadette C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Loftus
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008873:Mid-Atlantic Region; D008875:Middle Aged; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D064876:Safety-net Providers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055815:Young Adult