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Feb 2, 2025·Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Vanderbilt Health has introduced a Program in Unplanned Care within its Department of Emergency Medicine, supported by a $1.3 million endowment, to enhance the quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of urgent care before hospital admission. Targeting older adults who are particularly vulnerable to healthcare inefficiencies, the program will focus on various care settings, such as telehealth and emergency departments, and aims to provide timely, patient-centered care. Initial efforts will involve creating a network of researchers, promoting studies on unplanned care, and addressing challenges in research and quality improvement related to this area.

Jan 22, 2025·Becker's Hospital Review

Valley Children's Hospital in Madera, California, is enhancing transparency by publicly displaying its quality metrics throughout high-traffic areas, including its Starbucks outlet. Dr. David Christensen, the hospital's senior vice president and chief physician executive, highlights that this initiative promotes a culture of continuous improvement and shared accountability, which has been essential to their accolades from The Leapfrog Group for quality and safety in 2024. The hospital's leadership has implemented measures to eliminate hospital-acquired conditions and fostered an environment focused on improvement, actively engaging staff. A critical area of focus has been boosting hand hygiene compliance, which has resulted in a decrease in hospital-acquired infections.

Jan 7, 2025·LinkedIn

Chani Cordero, the CIO and Chief Digital Officer at Brooke Army Medical Center, has launched the Patient Portal Help Desk as part of the Defense Health Agency’s Digital Patient Initiatives. This new support service aims to enhance the patient experience by assisting active-duty service members, retirees, and their families in navigating the Genesis patient portal. Cordero, inspired by her observations at the Retiree Appreciation Event, emphasized the importance of providing hands-on support, particularly for older adults and underserved communities who may struggle with technology, to ensure they can effectively access healthcare resources.

Dec 5, 2024·HealthTech Magazine

Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network is undertaking significant changes to improve patient convenience, acknowledging challenges in accessibility despite a strong reputation for quality care. Chief Experience Officer Steve Basilotto outlined the system's focus on enhancing patient-provider connections through a comprehensive redesign of its contact center, with new technologies launched in May 2024 already showing positive effects. As healthcare shifts towards a more consumer-centric model, organizations like Froedtert recognize the necessity of aligning with patient expectations, particularly among younger demographics. Similarly, Yale New Haven Health's Access 365 initiative aims to enhance patient experiences by reducing wait times and personalizing care through operational improvements and data analytics.

Dec 2, 2024·starbridgeadvisors.com

In this article, David Muntz, Principle at StarBridge Advisors, discusses the profound impact of kindness in both personal and professional settings, particularly within healthcare. He underscores that kindness fosters understanding and empathy, which are essential for building personal connections in an increasingly divided world. Specifically in healthcare, kindness and compassion can alleviate patient anxiety, foster trust, and enhance communication, leading to better adherence to care plans and potentially quicker recoveries. For healthcare teams, kindness can improve communication, coordination, and collaboration, thereby boosting morale and reducing burnout.

Nov 25, 2024·MedCity News

Family caregivers are essential in hospice care, significantly influencing patient outcomes and family well-being, with about 53 million caregivers in the U.S. Their lack of support can adversely affect not only patients but also healthcare organizations like hospices that depend on caregiver engagement. Challenges such as financial limitations, staffing shortages, and insufficient incentives for innovation further complicate the situation. Improving caregiver support is vital, as empowered caregivers are better equipped to address their loved ones' needs, ultimately leading to more positive patient experiences and outcomes. A comprehensive approach to bolster caregiver resources is necessary to enhance the overall healthcare continuum.

Nov 25, 2024·MedCity News

access to preventive care and ongoing support for diabetes management in underserved communities. Despite technological advancements in diabetes care, millions still face challenges due to socioeconomic factors that limit access to screenings, medications, and coordinated care. The financial toll of diabetes on the U.S. healthcare system underscores the necessity for a community-centered approach that addresses social determinants of health. By enhancing collaboration and focusing on tailored, culturally appropriate care, healthcare providers can better meet the needs of affected populations and work towards reducing health disparities. Additionally, early detection is crucial, as a significant number of individuals remain undiagnosed, further complicating disease management in resource-limited areas.

Nov 25, 2024·HealthTech Magazine

Rural healthcare organizations are increasingly adopting integrated platforms and virtual care solutions to enhance patient engagement and access to care. The article focuses on Vail Health Hospital in Colorado, which successfully used a secure, HIPAA-compliant patient-intake platform to alert patients about appointment cancellations during a traffic incident. This instance underscores the importance of timely communication in rural settings. Vail Health has also implemented technologies to better understand patient demographics and health histories while introducing a wayfinding tool to improve the visitor experience. The article highlights the broader challenges faced by rural healthcare providers, particularly amidst a wave of hospital closures, and emphasizes the growing use of integrated electronic health records to facilitate effective communication and outreach efforts.

Nov 25, 2024·Mayo Clinic Platform

In a recent discussion, Paul Cerrato and John Halamka from the Mayo Clinic Platform underscore the importance of kindness and music in healthcare, positioning them as vital to patient outcomes alongside digital health technologies. They highlight research demonstrating that acts of kindness can alleviate mental health issues, notably more effectively than other social interventions, while also fostering a culture of positivity. Additionally, the authors note the therapeutic benefits of music, supported by systematic reviews that confirm its efficacy in treating depression. The overarching message is that compassion and creativity are essential components that enhance both patient care and the healthcare experience.

Nov 20, 2024·The Healthcare Blog

Epic Systems is working to enhance its MyChart application into a comprehensive digital front door for healthcare services, as outlined by CEO Judy Faulkner at the 2022 User Group Meeting. This strategy involves integrating features such as customer relationship management, online scheduling, and improved patient financial experiences to provide a seamless healthcare experience. Despite facing challenges, including a lack of demand from existing customers and competition from other companies, Epic aims to capitalize on its strong position in the electronic health record market, where it currently serves between 190 million and 300 million consumer accounts.

Oct 27, 2024·UCSF Health

The OPTIMAL Clinic at UC San Francisco, established in May 2020, focuses on follow-up care for COVID-19 patients, particularly those with long COVID symptoms. By coordinating with primary care and offering access to a range of specialists, such as pulmonologists and mental health professionals, the clinic addresses the varied health issues that may persist weeks after initial infection. With over 300 patients treated, the clinic applies evidence-based practices to personalize care according to individual needs, as highlighted by Dr. Lekshmi Santhosh, who underscores the complexity and lack of a singular definition for long COVID.

Oct 13, 2024·HIMSS

Ochsner Health received the HIMSS Davies Award of Excellence for the second time, acknowledging its effective use of technology to improve patient care across its 46 hospitals and 390 clinics. The award highlights Ochsner’s focus on digital health tools for chronic disease management and patient safety, underscored by successful case studies such as its diabetes program, which has helped over 71% of participants achieve controlled A1C levels, and its hypertension management initiative, which has surpassed national control averages. Additionally, Ochsner's collaborative model for sepsis management was recognized as a significant advancement in care.

Oct 13, 2024·AAMI

Cris Ross, Mayo Clinic's chief information officer, shares his personal experience with cancer in a narrative detailing his diagnosis in January 2021, which revealed a tumor after an initial clear colonoscopy. This marked a recurrence of cancer nearly two years post-remission, prompting Ross to refocus his treatment intentions and assist others with similar challenges. Engaged in his care, he faced significant treatment decisions, particularly regarding the avoidance of an ostomy, and opted for a regimen of chemotherapy, radiation—favoring proton therapy—and ultimately a complex 16-hour surgery, with hopes of minimizing damage during treatment.

Oct 7, 2024·Becker's Hospital Review

Essentia Health focuses on improving oncology care accessibility in rural areas, as highlighted by Dr. Daniel Nikcevich's encounter with a patient during a fishing trip in Minnesota. This incident illustrates Essentia's commitment to being present in the communities it serves, with oncologists traveling to remote locations to alleviate the burden of long-distance travel for patients. The health system has been addressing "cancer care deserts," particularly since the establishment of the Essentia Institute of Rural Health in 2010, which seeks to bridge gaps in access to standard care and clinical trials for under-resourced populations. Additionally, Essentia prioritizes in-person visits over virtual consultations, acknowledging that many rural patients may lack the necessary technology or experience to engage with digital health services effectively.

Sep 30, 2024·Mayo Clinic Cancer Blog

Cris Ross, Mayo Clinic's chief information officer, shares his experience as a cancer patient in the second part of his narrative, detailing his transition from healthcare executive to patient as he undergoes chemotherapy and radiation therapy. He discusses the history of chemotherapy, its origins during World War I, and reflects on the physical and emotional challenges of treatment. Ross highlights the importance of supportive care and personal moments, such as time spent with his daughter, that provided comfort throughout his journey. He concludes this phase of treatment by celebrating with a traditional ringing of a ship's bell, symbolizing hope before undergoing surgery to remove his rectum and tumor.

Sep 26, 2024·Epic Share

In the latest installment of her blog ‘Judy’s Journey,’ Epic Founder and CEO Judy Faulkner goes in depth about how the company's hiring strategies have evolved over the years and shares insights on the interoperability challenges in healthcare. First, Faulker discussed the decision to include programming tests as part of the hiring processes, which proved a better indication of a person’s future success at the job than merely doing an interview. In the second part, she talked about Epic's objectives in creating Share Everywhere, and why she believes it will help facilitate data sharing.

Sep 25, 2024·cancerblog.mayoclinic.org

When Cleveland Clinic CIO Cris Ross was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at 54, he initially misattributed his symptoms to stress and diet until a colonoscopy confirmed the illness. His diagnosis prompted a personal and professional reflection on the value of early detection, leading him to undergo surgery and chemotherapy while balancing work responsibilities. With support from his family, friends, and colleagues, Ross navigated the emotional and physical challenges of treatment. His experience has fueled his advocacy for awareness around colorectal cancer, emphasizing the critical role of regular screenings and proactive health measures.

Sep 16, 2024·Healthcare IT News

As the landscape continues to evolve, findings suggest that innovative tools like the electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) system can play a vital role in enhancing communication and care for cancer patients, particularly those in underserved communities. By allowing real-time reporting of symptoms and side effects, the ePRO tool facilitates personalized interventions and improved patient engagement, ultimately aiming to reduce disparities in cancer treatment and outcomes.

Sep 13, 2024·JAMA Internal Medicine

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine examines the impact of various prescription opioid tapering strategies on patients undergoing opioid withdrawal. Researchers found that a gradual tapering approach may reduce withdrawal symptoms and improve patient outcomes compared to abrupt cessation. The study highlights the importance of personalized tapering plans that consider individual patient factors and preferences in managing opioid dependence effectively while minimizing discomfort during the withdrawal process.

Sep 10, 2024·MedPage Today

Rural healthcare providers are increasingly focusing on social determinants of health (SDOH) to enhance patient outcomes. By addressing factors such as access to education, transportation, and economic stability, healthcare systems aim to create comprehensive strategies that go beyond traditional clinical care. This approach is seen as essential for improving health equity and delivering effective services in underserved areas.