A Cycle of Inefficient Care

The RITZ calls for concurrent change at three levels:

  • Service Delivery Operations
  • Financial Agreements
  • Executive Leadership  

In order to fill the gaps in the regional health care system, partners come together and work collaboratively at each of the three organizational levels.

AIMM has been working with communities for several years testing new and improved methods for bringing the RITZ model to people who can benefit. Studies have shown that effective medication management can reduce the use of emergency departments, lower the rate of inpatient admissions, and reduce the percent of people re-admitted within 30 days of hospitalization. This helps reduce the total cost of care to the U.S. health care system. 

During AIMM’s research and discovery phase, the following four situations proved to be prevalent nationwide:

Populations Need Support

Up to 30 percent of a region’s population are generating exceptionally high avoidable costs while experiencing unnecessarily poor health outcomes and low quality of life. These patients often use the Emergency department or urgent care due to the absence of medication management systems.

Health Care Systems Always Have Gaps

For certain population groups, the current health care delivery system does not, and cannot, reach them with the right set of services.

No One is Accountable or Responsible

The region’s provider organizations (medical and social services) individually do not have the technical staff, experience, or resources to design and install the missing medication care coordination systems. Most do not see putting a solution in place as their responsibility.

The System Doesn’t Address the Issue

The health care and social services payment process do not have a way to address the support required for individuals needing access to appropriate medication care. Issues such as increased cost for stakeholders, waste generated, and other social issues are attached to this root of a problem.