Chronic diseases are a serious problem in New York City, and are disproportionately present in many of the communities served by HHC. The management of diseases such as asthma, diabetes and heart failure is a major challenge and HHC has stepped forward to apply findings from the most recent medical advances to avoid complications, reduce hospitalizations and prolong lives. Chronic disease collaborative teams from HHC hospitals meet regularly and share their best practices which, when consistently applied, can be successful in improving patient outcomes.

Technology can play a major role in the management of chronic disease and HHC is using it effectively. The web-based electronic diabetes registry, which was first piloted at Queens and Elmhurst Hospital Centers, has had a significant impact on management of the disease. The system compiles information from HHC's electronic medical records to furnish doctors with a "snapshot" of ongoing patient care. Having this information at their fingertips enables physicians to provide more personalized, better informed treatment, which leads to better disease management.

Similar technology is used to drive new electronic asthma action plans, which are chronic disease management tools designed to keep New York City pediatric asthma patients out of emergency rooms and hospital beds. Again, HHC staff use electronic medical records to create self-management "contracts" that include detailed instruction about use of prescribed medication, flow meters and strategies to avoid asthma triggers.

Research has shown that treating underlying depression is often key to successful patient self-management of other diseases, and influences rate of recovery. With this in mind, HHC care providers have an easy-to-use electronic tool to help diagnose depression. HHC doctors are first targeting patients with chronic illnesses, who tend to suffer from high rates of depression. The corporation aims to eventually make depression screening part of routine medical care for all patients.

All HHC facilities offer treatment to help patients manage chronic disease. Click here to locate an HHC facility near you.