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Patient Need Groups
Patient Needs Group and "Segmentation"
You may notice a test result in your NHS APP referring to “segmentation” or “Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups (ACG) system score”.
We use segmentation to group people based on shared characteristics, needs, or behaviours. This allows us to tailor care delivery and policies to better meet the specific needs of each group.
When we do this for all groups, we get healthier people and a healthier population.
What are the John Hopkins Patient Need Groups (PNG)?
Patient Need Groups categorise patients into different groups based on the complexity and intensity of their healthcare needs rather than just their medical conditions. Instead of focusing solely on a diagnosis (like diabetes or heart disease) it takes in to account a broader range of health characteristics about a patient.
The Patient Need Groups system puts people into 11 different groups based on how much care and support they are likely to need. These groups consider factors like the number of chronic conditions, the severity of illness and the level of support a patient might need. The patients in a particular group have similar patterns of need. As patient needs change over time, their categorisation changes with them.
There are 11 groups in total, ranging from healthy people to those with very complex or serious health needsKnowing these groups helps explain why different patients might need different types or levels of care.
In order to help us tailor care according to individual patient need, we now have access to a tool that categorises our population into these 11 groups.
The categories break down into:
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Lower need (PNG 1-4) - people without significant health issues who need less intervention. Preventative care may stop them becoming unwell.
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Moderate need (PNG 5-9) - people who have a condition that is well managed. They may need occasional support to remain stable.
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Higher need (PNG 10-11) - people who have several conditions. They may need regular monitoring or a more coordinated approach.
What are the benefits of having this information available on patient records?
Personalised care
By understanding the needs of each group better, we can personalise care to those people whether it's more frequent monitoring, specialised treatment, or preventative care. This leads to improved health outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Improved coordination
By using Patient Need Groups we are able to coordinate more effectively. If a patient has complex needs, the care team can work together to ensure all aspects of their health are addressed, from medication management to lifestyle support.
Better resource allocation
We can allocate resources more effectively based on the needs of different patient groups. This ensures that patients receive timely and effective care from the most appropriate clinician.
Proactive health management
For patients in lower-needs groups, using Patient Need Groups encourage preventative care and early intervention. This can help them maintain their health status and avoid complications in the future. For patients in higher-needs groups we can identify people who may need treatment before issues occur. By preventing complications, we can keep people healthier for longer.
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