OptumHealth Brings Medical Experts Together To Explore Advancements In Fetal, Neonatal And Pediatric Care

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 13 Oct 2009 - 3:00 PST

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OptumHealth Inc. has teamed with The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to present a two-day educational conference focused on clinical advancements in fetal diagnosis and treatment, neonatal care and pediatric care. The gathering runs through today, and is part of OptumHealth's Network Spotlight Conferences program.

During the conference, nurse case managers, medical management staff and referring clinicians are exploring the latest scientific developments and clinical techniques for prenatal diagnosis and treatment, and treatment of newborns with complex conditions. These discussions come at a critical time, as more than 25,000 babies are born in the United States each year with a congenital heart defect - which translates to more than one baby out of every 150 births.

"We are working to ensure the best possible health outcome for children by making sure they have access to the right care at the right time," said Steven M. Altschuler, M.D., president and CEO of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

The conference includes lectures and panel discussions featuring leaders in cardiac care, fetal diagnosis and treatment, maternal fetal medicine, oncology, neonatology and transplantation. Specific areas of focus include:

- Managing solid organ transplantation in the pediatric patient
- Current surgical and medical techniques in the management of pediatric cancer
- Understanding the unique circumstances involved in caring for infants in a neonatal intensive care unit
- New strategies for treatment of pediatric congenital heart disease
- Screening and diagnostic technologies for the fetus at risk of genetic disorders or congenital anomalies

"We're pleased to be able to help align medical centers, physicians, payers and patients to advance high quality, affordable health care," said Rob Webb, CEO of OptumHealth Care Solutions. "The conference also creates more awareness around CHOP's clinical leadership and efficient delivery of care among referring clinicians - ultimately demonstrating a model that can help the health care system work better."

OptumHealth Inc., one of the nation's largest health and wellness companies, has added CHOP to its Center of Excellence network. OptumHealth Centers of Excellence are those medical centers that demonstrate superior clinical care while providing excellent support for patients living with complex conditions like cancer and congenital heart disease.

OptumHealth Spotlight conferences promote the expertise of physicians at medical centers that provide quality and cost-effective care.

About The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric health care professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children's Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country, ranking second in National Institutes of Health funding. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 430-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu.

Source
OptumHealth Inc.

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