March 01, 2018
Hi Team -
As we begin the third month of calendar year 2018, it is fair to say that this has been an eventful few months for the healthcare industry! Last week, Cincinnati-based Mercy Health announced it will merge with Maryland-based Bon Secours Health System, a midsized Catholic system with 20 hospitals operating in the mid-Atlantic, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Florida. In December, one of our sponsors, Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), and Dignity Health announced they have signed a definitive agreement to combine ministries and create a new, nonprofit Catholic health system. The new health system will include more than 700 care sites and 139 hospitals in 28 states. And, in January, three of the best-known names in the corporate world – Amazon, JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway – made headlines by announcing their intention to form an independent healthcare company for their U.S.-based employees – an effort to better control costs and improve health.
None of this should come as a surprise to TriHealth team members and physicians, as these developments are consistent with the New Realities of healthcare that we’ve been discussing and preparing for in recent years. In fact, in many ways these announcements validate our population health strategy to get healthcare right for our LOCAL community. The evidence is clear; the current healthcare system simply costs too much and delivers too little. As an industry, we have focused too little on what really matters — improving the health of our community by delivering the right care in the right place at the right cost. Well, all of that is changing at TriHealth as we are working to “get healthcare right” for our community by building the population health capabilities that enable us to deliver on the triple aim of better care, better health, better value. Click here to view a short video about the Population Health work underway throughout our system and see how one of our own Primary Care teams is improving the health of our community – one patient at a time.
Wins
Bethesda North Wins Excellence Award: Bethesda North received the 2018 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence from Healthgrades. The distinction places Bethesda North in the top 5 percent among nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide!
Our 300th TAVR Procedure Celebrated: The TAVR team at TriHealth’s Good Samaritan Hospital recently celebrated the completion of its 300th procedure. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment option for patients suffering from aortic stenosis, a progressive heart disease that causes narrowing or obstruction of the aortic valve.
TriHealth Recognized for Diabetes Care: Two of our hospitals have earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification in Inpatient Diabetes Care. The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care.
Gala Surpasses Fundraising Goal: The Good Samaritans’ 34th Annual Gala, “Illusions – Expect the Unexpected,” surpassed its goal and raised $556,000 to benefit the Good Samaritan Hospital Behavioral Health Services for a Drug and Alcohol Treatment program. Funds will also provide annual support to the Good Samaritan Free Health Center and Medical Education Research Fund.
We know, however, in order to bring about meaningful and sustainable change in how healthcare is financed and delivered, it will be necessary to engage business, civic and other community leaders in this important work. With that in mind, TriHealth and Xavier University have joined forces to introduce a bold new series of community conversations called Business Grand Rounds, which will focus on how we can work together, as one Cincinnati community, to lead the way with innovative and cost-effective care models and other initiatives to improve the health status of every single person in Cincinnati. The first event is slated for early April, and we couldn’t be more excited to be leading this work with the support and sponsorship of some of Cincinnati’s most respected companies, including Procter & Gamble, Fifth Third Bank, GE, and Kroger to name just a few! Click here to read a guest editorial written by Fr. Michael Graham, XU President, and myself on the importance of getting healthcare right for our community along with our announcement of Business Grand Rounds that appeared in the Business Courier last week.
It is important we don’t get distracted by the industry changes which have occurred in recent months – with many more likely to come – and instead stay focused on our central work of getting healthcare right for our community to create a healthier Greater Cincinnati. Keep up the great work you’re doing to support your patients, fellow team members, leaders and physicians, and feel confident that together we are leading the way at TriHealth to get healthcare right for those we serve. Thank you for all that you do!
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