Improving the HCAHPS Survey and Demonstrating its Value with Bill McInturff

On this episode, Chip sits down with Bill McInturff to discuss the results of his demonstration he did with Micah Roberts that focused on recasting and improving the HCAHPS (the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) patient experience survey. The report, concluded that even though the HCAHPS is a well-designed, well-administered survey, it could be strengthened to add items important to patients. The demonstration also added an online delivery mode and found that it increases response rates.

Reexamining How We Measure Patient Experience

A patient’s health care experience at a hospital is considered one indicator of quality of care. Since 2008, those experiences have been captured and publicly reported at a national level via the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey. However, it hasn’t been reviewed since its creation more than a decade ago. We were hearing anecdotally that response rates were falling and some of the questions weren’t as relevant as they used to be. So we joined with several other major hospital organizations to investigate. On the episode, Chip and Dr. Claudia Salzberg, FAH’s VP of Quality, discuss our just released study examining the HCAHPS survey from the perspective of Patient Experience Leaders.

Disrupting the Drug Market with Martin VanTrieste

Continued rising drug prices, as well as shortages for many critical medications, are impacting patient care and putting strains on hospital budgets and operations. That’s why hospitals and health systems have gathered to create Civica Rx, a not-for-profit generic drug company that is disrupting the pharmaceutical market. Chip spoke with Martin VanTrieste, Civica’s President & CEO about why and how the company was formed, the success it is enjoying so far, and if other drug companies will follow its lead.

EPISODE UPDATE, Since our recording VIZIENT has announced it will collaborate with Civica to help reduce chronic drug shortages by providing insights into purchasing patterns and provider needs. Vizient will apply its expertise in analytics and data capabilities, helping Civica anticipate gaps in drug availability and affordability.

In response to Vizient’s commitment, Civica’s VanTrieste said, “The more people collaborating to solve the nation’s drug shortage problem the better…we applaud Vizient for prioritizing hospital patients by taking action to help them have timely access to the treatments they desperately need on a day-to-day basis.”

Shantanu Agrawal Discusses How the National Quality Forum Impacts Health Care

Shantanu Agrawal leads the National Quality Forum - one of the most important organizations that you’ve probably never heard of. NQF was originally created during the Clinton Administration as a tool to promote and ensure patient protections and health care quality through measurement and public reporting for Medicare. Today their work touches all patients using three tenets: improvement, accountability, and transparency. In this episode, Chip and Shantanu discuss why NQF was needed, the role it fills today, and how the organization is uniquely positioned to lead quality efforts for health care’s high-tech future.

The Right Dose of Rehabilitation with Dr. Richard Senelick

You’ve been stabilized in the hospital after suffering a life altering medical condition, but now its time to start the path to getting back home – what’s next? When most people think of rehabilitation hospitals they probably imagine a place for a baseball player recovering from a sore elbow or a drug rehab center – somewhere they won’t ever have to go. But physical rehabilitation hospitals are a critical cog in the continuum of care as people recover from a major injury. In this episode, Dr. Richard Senelick of Encompass Health discusses what goes on at a rehabilitation hospital and why their motto is “help do rather than do for”.

Celebrating Sister Carol Keehan – A Career in Health Care Based in Faith

For the past 14 years, Sister Carol Keehan has led one of the largest hospital groups in the nation – the Catholic Health Association (CHA). Sister Carol has met with the Pope and cut deals with the President of the United States. Her career spans more than 50 years - from working in a children’s hospital in Florida to CEO of the CHA. She has been a key leader in health care policy decisions. On the eve of her retirement, Chip and Sister Carol share stories about how the health care delivery system has changed over the years, the passage of the Affordable Care Act and the importance of universal coverage.

The Importance of Health Care Interoperability with Ed Cantwell

While most other industries have made the transition from analog to digital, the US health care system has lagged behind. Ed Cantwell, the CEO of the Center for Medical Interoperability, talks to Chip about what his team is doing to drive plug-and-play interoperability among vital medical devices. Plus - they discuss the importance improving caregivers’ access to electronic health records, something that ultimately improves outcomes for patients and saves lives.

Going Beyond the Four Hospital Walls – HCA Healthcare’s Sam Hazen Discusses Future of Patient Care

Patient care is changing. No longer do you need to be within the four walls of the hospital to receive high quality care from your doctor. From free standing emergency rooms to outpatient clinics - Your community hospital is bringing care to you. In this episode, Sam and Chip discuss how hospitals are extending their reach into neighborhoods and rapidly becoming much more dynamic places to receive care. It is all part of a growing effort to meet patient expectations of having the best care, close to home.

Training a New Generation of America’s Doctors – How HCA Healthcare is Changing the Graduate Medical Education Landscape

HCA Healthcare is already the largest provider of graduate medical education in the country and it has plans to keep growing the program – doubling it in size in the next few years. Dr. Michael Cuffe, President of the Physician Services Group at HCA Healthcare, is in charge of training the next generation of doctors. Listen in as he and Chip talk about how they are preparing our physicians to treat patients with tomorrow’s medicine.

David Vandewater Discusses How Partnerships are Improving Health Care for Americans

As the saying goes, there is strength in numbers. David Vandewater, President and CEO of Ardent Health Services explores how the company is forming partnerships with other hospitals and health systems to better serve patients. These partnerships are ensuring access to high quality health care for communities across the country. Listen in as he and Chip talk about how hospital partnerships are key to improving health care for patients and essential for bringing new doctors and jobs to communities.