Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Program Prioritization Narrative
Productivity
At the present time, the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) has 10 faculty
(MD's) and 1 Nurse Practitioner, and we have approval for 5 additional provider positions (3 faculty
MD’s and 2 Physician Extenders) that will be hired over the next year. Our residency program is four
years and we have 19 residents. We provide services in both the inpatient and outpatient setting, in
numerous physical locations. Our clinical locations include the following:
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Pitt County Memorial Hospital (PCMH) – inpatient & outpatient
Regional Rehabilitation Center at PCMH – inpatient & outpatient
Heritage Hospital – inpatient & outpatient
Bertie Memorial Hospital - outpatient
Chowan Hospital - outpatient
ECU Neurosurgical and Spine Center
ViQuest Center
PCMH Occupational Health Clinic
Rehab Physicians Clinic
ECU Firetower Medical Office
ECU Family Medicine Center
PCMH Pain Center
PCMH Wound Healing Center
Lifecare Hospital
ECU Telemedicine
For fiscal year 10/11, our department generated $ 3,166,014 in clinical revenue, which included
$836,248 contract revenue. We have numerous contracts that are service and administrative in nature
including:
 Medical Director of Regional Rehabilitation Center
 Medical Director of Heritage Hospital Rehabilitation Center
 Medical Director of Wound Healing Center
 Medical Director of PCMH Occupation Health
 Medical Director contract for Lifecare Hospital
 PCMH Chief of Service contract
 Patient Access Services support contract with PCMH
 EMG machine rental contract with PCMH, Bertie, Chowan, Heritage
 ViQuest Center service contract
 Assistant to Medical Director support contract with PCMH
We receive $0 in state operating dollars and are fully funded by Practice Plan Funds. Our providers
perform clinical duties on average 9 half days per week with only 1 half day for administrative time per
week. During fiscal year 10/11, we performed 1946 inpatient consults and saw patients in our
outpatient facilities. At the end of the fiscal year, our surplus after overhead and taxes was $684,242.
Centrality
In accordance with the BSOM/Division of Health Sciences Strategic Action Plan, the Department of
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation participates in medical student and resident education, provides
health care services, and participates in research. Our department has a four year residency program
comprised of 19 slots with 5 residents graduating each academic year. We provide clinical care in
various clinical locations (see Productivity narrative), including sites in the University Health System.
Beginning 2011, our department is participating in a Department of Defense Grant for wounded
warriors. We also participate in the Summer Research Scholars program which allows medical students
to actively participate in the research project process.
Quality
We continuously review the return to acute data from patients that were admitted to the rehabilitation
center. Our goal is to reduce the percentage to below the national average for academic medical
centers while maintaining our inpatient admissions. We are part of the national review of CAUTI’s, stage
¾ decubitus ulcer, falls with harm and VAP’s. Reduction of these occurrences is important for patient
care and reimbursement. There are multiple other quality measures that are occurring within the rehab
center and outpatient clinic.
Opportunity (SWOT) Analysis
Strengths:
 Largest PMR group in Eastern NC
 History of collaboration UHS
 Part of 350 physician practice (ECU Physicians)
 Improved Administrative Staff
 Location-Greenville
 PCMH CARF-accredited Rehab Center
 New service lines (procedural services such as phenol, spasticity, joint injections)
 New Director of Rehab Research position
Weaknesses:
 Small size of department vs. other departments
 Marketing
 Small amount of active research activities
 Inpatient census load variable
 Coordination and coverage for off-site locations (Heritage, Bertie, Chowan)
 Lack hospital support research
Opportunities:
 20 million newly insured patients
 Quality reimbursement (PQRI, Electronic Rx, return to acute)
 New services (invasive, ultrasound)
 Veteran’s Administration clinics
 Rural hospitals need services
 Other areas to service (New Bern, Rocky Mount)
 Growing retired population
 Private practice
Threats:
 Health care reform (bundled payment/reduced payment)
 Other providers, practice drift
 Poor economy
 Private practice (also opportunity)