Wellness, Prevention, and Condition Management

Proactive, preventive health management is essential to transform healthcare.  The right health information technology tools, self-management interventions and personal decisions can improve health outcomes and health status, and also increase patient satisfaction and reduce hospital and emergency room costs.

Cerner is taking active measures as an employer to improve the health of its associates.  Analysis of the top conditions encountered by Cerner associates has led to the development of condition management and overall health programs.  Diabetes, depression, and maternity wellness are the main focus of Cerner’s condition management programs with more condition management programs planned for the future.  Cerner is providing associates with these conditions the tools and coaching to successfully result in positive health outcomes.  Cerner’s innovative approaches associated with these programs continue to push the envelope of health policy. 

Cerner supports building comprehensive, locally based infrastructures that are sustainable. Communities should equip their networks with a health information technology system that includes a community electronic health record. This will strengthen the existing public health infrastructure and improve healthcare quality in all populations. An internet-based community electronic health record can enhance communication between provider and consumer to improve coordination of care. The community health record contains clinical and claims information such as office encounters, dispensed medications, allergies and lab results. The record can be used by both provider and consumer. The consumer can check health assessments, schedule patient visits, message with their provider and track individualized care plans with their provider or health coach, among other things.

Employers have a role to play in preventing and managing chronic health conditions of people who work for them. A healthy workforce is a positive for both the person and the company.

At Cerner, we contribute to this by participating in an employer-based initiative in the Greater Kansas City area that provides a longitudinal view of health information to our associates and their dependents.