The first Baptist Medical Group-Medicine Preoptimization Clinic (MPOC) opened in Memphis in October 2022. The clinic treats elective surgical patients at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis and high-risk patients who may have chronic medical conditions at Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women. The clinic’s success has led to more Baptist Medical Group-MPOC locations, including one at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle and another location that recently opened at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County.
The Baptist Medical Group-MPOC team has used its expertise to collaborate with other Baptist Memorial hospitals and help train nurse practitioners at new Baptist Medical Group-MPOC locations. Nurse Practitioner Nashella Prather spent August and September training at the Baptist Medical Group-MPOC Memphis location before going to work at Baptist Medical Group-MPOC Union County. Nurse Practitioner Brittany Bowen also trained in Memphis before going to Baptist Medical Group-MPOC Golden Triangle.
“MPOC is patient-centric and has improved quality of care for our surgical population,” said Dr. Brennan McCullar, system director for perioperative medicine. “We have seen a significant improvement in post-operative complications and length of stay for patients who get admitted after their surgery.”
Working closely with anesthesia partners, Baptist Medical Group-MPOC identifies and manages health risks to improve outcomes and safety for patients preparing for surgery.
“Our clinic is an example of how Baptist is striving to improve quality of care for patients. It connects outpatient care to inpatient experience,” said McCullar. “We are one of only 50 recognized preoptimization clinics in the country and the first for any hospital system in Memphis.”
In 2026, Baptist expects to open another Baptist Medical Group-MPOC location at the OrthoSouth Germantown Surgery Center in Germantown, Tennessee. Baptist is also reviewing data and the potential for making a difference to determine the next hospital location.
