For most Americans, expansion of digital health care at hospitals and health systems across the nation has improved the patient experience and medical outcomes. But for individuals unable to access broadband internet service or lacking ability or desire to use web-based tools, modern medicine’s benefits are beyond their grasp. Innovators at California-based Kaiser Permanente (KP) Read More
In-depth research identifies key challenges and solutions to bridging the digital divide. // By Brian Griffin // For most Americans, expansion of digital health care at hospitals and health systems across the nation has improved the patient experience and medical outcomes. But for individuals unable to access broadband internet service or lacking ability or desire Read More
Hospitals meet a vital need in the communities they serve. In 2016, hospitals spent $157 billion on financial assistance and community benefit activities across the country. To better understand the needs of the communities they serve, triennially, nonprofit hospitals are required by the Internal Revenue Service to complete a community health needs assessment (CHNA). The Read More
Giving back to the community is a requirement of nonprofit health systems. This New England health care organization identified four priority areas and developed a print and online publication to provide information and resources for community members. // By Althea Fung // Hospitals meet a vital need in the communities they serve. In 2016, hospitals Read More
In a fee-for-service world, “there’s a pretty hefty incentive to continue to drive more care into these hospital platforms,” says Jaewon Ryu, MD, JD, president and CEO of Geisinger. But is that what consumers want and need? Ryu doesn’t think so. “The reality is, not many people wake up and say, ‘I want to go Read More
// By Jane Weber Brubaker // Four health system executives imagine the future and what it will take to succeed. In a fee-for-service world, “there’s a pretty hefty incentive to continue to drive more care into these hospital platforms,” says Jaewon Ryu, MD, JD, president and CEO of Geisinger. But is that what consumers want Read More
UCLA Health is emerging as a national leader in addressing racial inequities in health care and across society. In light of growing local and national awareness, the health system became one of the first health care organizations in the country to form an Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. “It’s perhaps the most visible Read More
// By Brian Griffin // A prominent West Coast health system is building a care environment, work culture, and community presence that takes health equity, diversity, and inclusion to the next level. UCLA Health is emerging as a national leader in addressing racial inequities in health care and across society. In light of growing local Read More
COVID testing. Vaccines. Health equity. Do they fall under public health or clinical care? In most cases, it’s both, or should be. The gap between hospital-based clinical care and public health is shrinking, as community health initiatives increasingly focus on wellness and prevention. Health systems typically function as separate entities. Nationwide, the drive for revenues and Read More
// By Marcia Simon, APR // “Medicine and public health share a common mission … however, important differences have prevented their integration and effective working collaboration,” says the author of a 2020 NIH publication: Covid-19: An Imperative to Bridge the Gap Between Medicine and Public Health. The work of the King County Hospitals for a Read More
Things are changing when the CEO of a major health system comprising 14 hospitals — soon to be 18 — tosses around phrases like “health care at any address” and says things like, “We want to be the partner for those people who want to thrive without health care getting in the way.” The definition Read More
View from the C-Suite: Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, President, Thomas Jefferson University and CEO, Jefferson Health // By Jane Weber Brubaker // There are two words Steve Klasko uses a lot: “What if…?” Like other visionary health system leaders, he’s scaling up to meet the reality of health care today, while at the same Read More
Telehealth usage has skyrocketed across the country. In the past year of the pandemic, the weekly number of behavioral health visits increased 25 percent on average compared with before COVID-19. This is due to expanded use of audio and video technology. But a study of insured patients published in Health Affairs found that in poorer Read More
// By Althea Fung // A safety net hospital in Des Moines, Iowa found a way to connect patients with needed behavioral health services using telehealth kiosks, leveraging community resources to provide broadband connectivity, private spaces, and support staff. Telehealth usage has skyrocketed across the country. In the past year of the pandemic, the weekly Read More