Improving access to primary care through coordinated access and attachment

The Coordinated Access Attachment Hub (Hub) supports connecting people in the community and post-hospital discharge to health and wellness services in the health neighborhood. Calgary and area primary care networks (Calgary Zone) refers to seven primary care networks that operate within a healthcare region called Calgary Zone in Alberta, Canada. Home to approximately .8 million residents, Calgary Zone is the fastest growing health zone in Alberta. The City of Calgary grew by 6% in the last eight years, with 30% of its residents being visible minorities, and is also home to more than 600,000 temporary residents, from seasonal farm workers, work permit holders, and international students. The service is open to all persons living and working in the Calgary Zone. The Hub collaborates with PCNs and their community partners and leverages these relationships in the formation, maintenance, and growth of a coordinated network of services in the health neighbourhood, including the Patient Medical Home. The Coordinated Access Attachment Hub (Hub) supports connecting people in the community and post-hospital discharge to health and wellness services in the health neighbourhood. This includes attachment to a primary care provider (PCP) such as a family doctor, nurse practitioner, or a clinic, in addition to other allied health and social support services. The networking and information gathered through the Hub contribute to its ability to provide people with options and connections to health services they want when they need it. The Hub currently has two workstreams:. Navigation Coordinator program: supporting patients to navigate the community and primary care system for follow up post discharge2. Coordinated attachment program: utilizing the Alberta Find A Doctor website Help Me function to provide a more tailored approach to support people with attachment across PCN geographical bordersResults Established Calgary Zone working group community of practice. Addressed Help Me backlog of over 8000 people looking for a PCP Leveraged technology to improve efficiencies and workflow. Optimized quality assurance of Calgary Zone Alberta Find A Doctor website This presentation will focus on the rationale behind the Hub formation, how it has supported the primary care networks in Calgary Zone to address patient requests for attachment, and the successes and challenges faced during this process. Participants will be able to learn about the use of innovative virtual solutions to create points of access to primary care resources, and how that can be balanced with shared human supports to address the needs of rapidly growing populations. The poster and presentation will also outline the importance of clinical personnel as part of the Hub to triage requests and prioritize responses. The Hub will continue to provide a shared service in Calgary Zone and work with patients and community partners to facilitate patient access to primary care