April 16, 2013

Value. It's what we all want, whether we're purchasing a new car or hiring a plumber. Health care consumers also are seeking the highest quality care and best experience for the best value. It's up to all of us to provide it.

To increase the value of our services, we have begun a system-wide transformation called TriHealth 2020, looking at both clinical and non-clinical functions. As you've probably heard through team member forums and LinkNotes, we started in early 2012 by forming workgroups-teams of team members that analyze and identify best practices within our system and in other organizations.

"As the health care industry changes dramatically, TriHealth's commitment to quality, safety and service remains strong. TriHealth 2020 will enable us to continue to achieve our mission and offer high-value, patient-centered care," says Sher McClanahan, senior vice president, Clinical & Operational Transformation, who is leading the daily operation of TriHealth 2020.

"TriHealth 2020 is a process-not a project-that involves everyone. This means all of TriHealth looking at what we do and asking 'can we do this better?'"

All processes and procedures are being reviewed to see where we can eliminate redundancy, waste or poor quality. In some cases, we are using the LEAN method to find and implement best practices.Here are some early successes:

• The Bethesda North Cancer and Ambulatory Treatment Center, which serves more than 500 patients a day, now administers patient treatments 10 minutes earlier on average, and has shortened patient visits one hour and 42 minutes per patient.

• Engineering and Maintenance at Bethesda North saved $65,000 a year by switching to a lighter cart that allows them to complete jobs more efficiently.

Sher explains, "Getting rid of waste includes things like eliminating unnecessary patient and staff movement, or waiting for supplies, medications and test results. We need to always question what we're doing. Is this the best way? Does the patient really need another X-ray? Does this add value? How do I do the right thing for every patient?"

In 2012, the federal government spent $950 billion in health care costs. National estimates suggest that 30 percent of health care expense is "waste" and doesn't add value. Predicted waste for TriHealth hospitals in fiscal year 2013 is $280 million-$778,000 per day. Eliminating

"waste" will not only save money, it will free all of us to do the things we do best: take care of our patients.

"We need to break down silos and create forums where people can evaluate quality, safety and service," Sher says. "But we also need to make sure our staff has the support it needs to ask difficult questions and undertake difficult change."

TriHealth is an enormously successful system of physicians, hospitals and communities working together to live better. In the future, our performance will be measured by our ability to deliver high-value, patient-centered care. Together, we can be prepared for this future.

If you have questions or want more information about TriHealth 2020, contact sher_mcclanahan@trihealth.com.

Originally published in Triumphs, Spring 2013