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and Dr. Clairmont believe the key element of the Compass model is taking a team approach to primary care — both within the organization and with partners such as Steward Health Care System. Internally, Barber says Compass Medical has been able to build an extensive network of primary care and urgent care facilities across Southeastern Massachusetts, providing a seamless continuity of care for patients. Through these facilities, Compass Medical patients can access a range of important services beyond primary care, such as radiology, cardiology, diabetic education and behavioral health. Compass Medical Quincy's urgent care physician, Dr. Eric Wallace, with a patient "It's high-quality, one-stop-shop access. That's really what it comes down to," Barber says. "We are giving patients The new medical center in Quincy continues to reaffirm a system that has the ability to get them the high-quality health the "one-stop shop" model that has made Compass Medical care they need, right when they need it." a leader in its industry. Offering primary care, an urgent care Externally, Compass Medical has established partnerships walk-in center, radiology, cardiology consultations and other with Steward Health Care System and dozens of local specialists. specialty services, the organization ensures that patients now "Our relationships allow us to enhance patient access to have direct, local access to high-quality health care. The urgent the healthcare services provided in our local communities," care center in Quincy has already made an immediate impact Dr. Clairmont says. on the community, offering a "significantly higher quality of Steward, for example, has four community hospitals in the care than what is possible at stand-alone urgent care centers," geographic area Compass Medical serves, which opens up many according to Barber. opportunities to conveniently refer patients. As they look to the year ahead, Barber and Dr. Clairmont "Between in-house specialists and external partners, Compass agree a top goal for Compass Medical is to continue adapting Medical has the ability to guide patients to high-caliber services to the changing marketplace. and promptly meet all of their medical needs," Dr. Clairmont adds. "It's an evolve-or-die world," Barber says. "We're more responsive Meeting patients' needs for services in a healthcare marketplace to our patients' needs, and we're going to evolve the model focused on cutting costs has been a driving force behind Compass even more." Medical's integrative approach to medicine. Part of that evolution is looking for ways to enhance ties to the "It really encourages us to move to team-based care," communities where Compass Medical has opened new facilities Dr. Clairmont says. in recent years. Maximizing teamwork between urgent care and primary "We need to find new ways to engage with our patients," Barber care, for example, is central to the mission at Compass Medical. says, noting the expanded walk-in urgent care capability in Quincy, "I love that a patient can come in for a primary care visit which is the organization's first foray into an urban market. one day and can be seen for urgent care the next," says Shuchi An avid competitive runner, Dr. Clairmont compares the Gupta, MD, a member of the Compass Medical Board of Directors long-term task of building Compass Medical over the past 20 and a primary care physician at the new Quincy facility. The years to the Boston Marathon, which he has run 10 times. team approach has clear advantages for patient outcomes, "I know every step of that terrain, whether I'm in Hopkinton, explains Dr. Gupta, who points to gaps in healthcare access Wellesley or anywhere else on the course," he explains. "Here, I across the country. can't fully envision what that landscape is going to be." "Any delay in care can quickly compound a medical issue, The Compass Medical founder said openness to change will resulting in more serious concerns down the line," he says. be critical in the year ahead. "Because of our team approach and extensive partnerships, there "Every step we take brings us closer to the finish, but as we are no gaps at Compass Medical. take those steps, we have to be constantly re-evaluating and "For example, 'pop-up' urgent care centers offer convenience, preparing for the next step," he says. "The terrain and landscape but what happens after that visit? Is there consistent continuity keep changing. We need to adapt to that change." of care? We look at our urgent care center as an extension of our For more information about Compass Medical in Quincy, please primary care, thus closing that gap." call 617-481-3000 or visit www.compassmedical.net. I MDNEWS.COM I MD NEWS Greater Boston |7

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