Healthcare transformation is a process that requires change in all aspects of healthcare delivery. Nursing professionals are well positioned to lead this process, but they need to understand the factors driving it, the mandates for practice change, and the competencies needed for success. This article discusses these factors and how a registered nurse can contribute to the interprofessional team and lead healthcare transformation. The goal is to make the change as seamless and successful as possible. However, it won’t be easy.
Health systems are undergoing a major transformation, as disruptions such as technology and a more consumer-centric approach to care are redefining the way people interact. As a result, more health systems are integrating digital functions across their enterprises. In addition, advances in EMRs are enabling medical interoperability. In this way, healthcare providers can meet the needs of their patients and the population. By implementing new healthcare practices and technologies, healthcare companies can remain at the forefront of the healthcare revolution.
In addition to embracing new technologies, health organizations are using digital tools to improve their services and reduce costs. By tackling redundancies, partnering with industry leaders, and leveraging new systems of engagement, healthcare organizations can spearhead healthcare transformation. In addition, they can improve the quality of care for their patients and improve patient experiences.
In the future, patients will become the ultimate healthcare consumers. Health plans may no longer be designed for employers, but instead employees will be given a defined contribution to purchase their own health insurance. A greater consumer-oriented focus will increase the importance of patient satisfaction and report cards. This trend may even reduce the need for large geographic coverage in health plans. Instead, patients will choose doctors near them.
New care models will emphasize prevention and treatment of chronic and acute illness. An interprofessional team model will be necessary to achieve these goals. The healthcare system will also require better care integration, with an emphasis on reducing duplication. This shift in care delivery will involve the creation of Patient-Centered Medical Homes and Accountable Care Organizations.
Healthcare transformation is a complex process that will require a new way of thinking about the delivery of health care. The goal is to improve the quality of care while lowering costs, while maintaining patient health. The Affordable Care Act has mandated the shift from fee-for-service to value-based care. This shift is a huge shift in American healthcare and will require some serious thinking and effort. While no one expects the system to return to the ways it was, the challenges it faces are clear.
Scholarly research on healthcare transformation is essential. It provides credible information for policy makers and informs the various stakeholders in health reform. The healthcare transformation literature is dominated by studies from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. These countries are frequently looking at each other to develop new strategies and ideas. The results of such research will improve the healthcare system in these countries.
In the process of transforming care, Texas Children’s Hospital has implemented an integrated three-systems approach that includes analytics, best practice, and adoption. This approach has helped Texas Children’s become a data-driven quality improvement organization. It has also created an organizational strategy consistent with the Triple Aim of IHI. It focuses on improving care experience while reducing cost per capita.
In the coming years, the demand for physicians will be great. As more patients become older, there will be more need for specialists. While the number of doctors in hospitals is decreasing, the demand for specialists will rise. This is because a growing aging population will increase the number of chronic disease patients. This will require new specialists in areas such as geriatric care and geriatrics.
The healthcare system will continue to change over the next decade. There will likely be significant changes in the way that it is structured, which will have a major impact on AHCs and their mission. Moreover, the number of people without insurance will increase. Further, the demand for healthcare will result in increased price competition.
A collaborative effort of health care systems in New Jersey, such as the Atlantic Health System, CentraState Healthcare System, Holy Name Medical Center, Hunterdon Healthcare, Virtua, and Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, has developed the Healthcare Transformation Consortium. Through this initiative, these health systems are collaborating on the transition from fee-for-service care to value-based care.