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The CEP Advantage
California Emergency Physicians (CEP) has been a recognized leader in innovative emergency department staffing and management solutions for over 30 years. Our hospital administrators expect the best and CEP delivers with its combination of physician leadership and proven programs. CEP's medical practice model has withstood the test of time because it gives hospitals the right combination of small-group local attention and larger-group resources and programs. Hospitals need an advantage to succeed in today's competitive environment. You are invited to explore why 55 hospital administrators have chosen the CEP Advantage. Click here to view a copy of CEP’s award-winning 2005 Annual Report to Hospital Administrators.
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ADVANTAGE ONE: Physician Leadership and Performance
The right medical director, the right physicians, and strong working relations with
the nurses are the keys to a successful
Emergency Department team. Because of its democratic partnership structure and
physician support services, CEP's track record of attracting and retaining high
quality, board certified physicians is second to none. However, qualifications
are only part of the picture. CEP works hard to find the right fit between each
physician and the ED where they have a clinical practice. Established physician evaluation procedures allow CEP to identify
areas where there is potential for concern and intervene for early and prompt resolution.
In addition to the site leadership of the Medical Director, CEP has a Regional Director
who oversees several hospital contracts in an area. This experienced senior physician
meets with hospital administration on a regular basis and can step in to offer additional
assistance for critical issues.
CEP shares its collective management knowledge through biannual Medical Director
meetings which keep our directors up-to-date on innovative best practices and key
regulatory issues. CEP also offers an ED Medical Director Academy program to provide
future and present Directors with the skills and resources necessary to manage physicians
and become an effective team leader within the ED.
ADVANTAGE TWO: Teamwork Approach to Improving Patient Satisfaction
CEP emphasizes a team approach and identification of opportunities to improve the
outcome of the patient encounter for all stakeholders, including patients and
families, medical staff, nursing, EMS, administration, the community and healthcare
system. Teamwork is key to improving patient satisfaction, reducing medical errors,
increasing productivity, and expediting admissions.
In 2001, CEP begain implementing the
Check Six program, which applies team training and principles learned in
aviation safety to the ED setting. ED Staff learn about team structure and climate,
planning, communication techniques, managing workload, and improving team skills.
CEP has developed a comprehensive program to enhance patient satisfaction. This
includes the development of patient satisfaction work groups, staff and physician
training, service recovery, and complaint management.
As part of the new contract start-up process, CEP provides an Operational Assessment to
determine barriers to smooth patient flow in the ED. Utilizing benchmarks and best
practices from our 55 Emergency Departments as well as current literature, CEP
develops an action plan to reduce waiting times. CEP, as a member of the
The Advisory Board, is familiar with the H*Works program and Clockwork ED processes described
in their various reports and publications.
ADVANTAGE THREE: Local Autonomy with a Large Management Infrastructure
As a hospital administrator, have you ever felt that you had to choose between the local attention you receive from a solo group versus the programs and resources you receive from a larger physician group? CEP's medical practice model provides a solution. The CEP Partnership strives to secure satisfying, long-term work opportunities for its high quality physician Partners by enabling physicians to enjoy the best attributes of both a small and large emergency department group. They feel that they are an integral part of the local community and hospital team and, at the same time, retain the ability to access the "brain trust" of a larger organization to help find solutions to local issues.
CEP physicians become involved members of the local medical community, including participation in Medical Staff meetings and service on hospital committees. CEP Partners are active on many levels and hold positions in ACEP, Hospital Boards, County EMS and Medical Societies, as well as serving in numerous sites as Chief of Staff. CEP leaders meet throughout the year at Medical Director meetings and Partnership meetings to share the latest best practices.
As a larger organization, CEP is able to pool its resources to provide value-added services to its hospital clients. One of the benefits is the assignment of a Practice Management Consultant (PMC) from MedAmerica, the CEP-owned physician practice support company. Each PMC is an experienced practice management specialist who works with the Regional and Medical Directors to coordinate services to the site. The PMC facilitates new contract start-up processes, schedules and delivers the Operational Assessment, and develops a Business Plan to clarify and develop actions to support the ED goals.
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ADVANTAGE FOUR: Superior Regulatory and Liability Experience
CEP contract sites benefit from our expertise in billing, JCAHO, coding and compliance, and HIPAA. CEP has an active compliance program that complies with the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and the Model Compliance Plans recommended by the OIG. Annual compliance training is required for all CEP providers. CEP has the ability to perform coding and billing compliance audits to monitor our contract sites' adherence to current coding and reimbursement principles contained in applicable federal and state healthcare program statutes and regulations. CEP can assist client hospitals in ensuring ED compliance with HIPAA regulations.
With 55 emergency departments across the nation, CEP maintains current knowledge of important JCAHO issues that pertain to the ED. CEP has recently developed a proprietary handbook to assist our Medical Directors and ED Nurse Managers with their preparations.
As the founders of the physician-owned MedAmerica Mutual Risk Retention Group, CEP has access to the unique risk management and loss control services this insurer provides. Actuarial studies indicate that CEP’s claims experience is 20-30% better than the average claims experience for emergency department groups throughout the U.S.
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ADVANTAGE FIVE: Continuous Innovation and Best Practices
CEP’s "brain trust" draws on the collective wisdom of over 800
practicing physicians and their appointed physician leaders. The creativity and competitive drive of CEP
physicians keeps the cream rising to the top in a continuous cycle of
innovation, knowledge-sharing, and improvement. CEP has developed a structure
to enhance and support innovation:
Over the years, CEP has developed the following programs and
resources to improve ED physician and operational performance: