Stephanie Barrett’s Post

Always happy to be in Texas, where everything is bigger, including the ideas on how we can create a better system of health for all--improving the quality of care that patients receive, while reducing costs, ensuring continuity of coverage, and reducing physician burnout--just *some* of the challenges we face today. This morning's opening keynote by Dr. Ziad Obermeyer on the integration of artificial intelligence into the health care ecosystem focused on whether we're truly understanding what the best business use case for this new technology really is ("AI can't help us if we're confused ourselves about what we're trying to do"). Amazing and thoughtful analysis by a researcher from University of California, Berkeley who is working closely with industry to drive #artificialintelligence applicability forward. The second keynote on the new science of quality measurement by Will Bruhn, MD founder of Global Appropriateness Measures was so inspiring and exactly what the field needs to hear. When we look only at quality measures that are outcome-based, calculated on services rendered, we are missing the larger story. Will's work at GAM helps to uncover practice patterns and helps reduce inappropriate care; for example, c-section rates for low-risk deliveries should not exceed 25%, per several obstetrics societies and published research, so why do we see over 50% of providers posting much higher rates? The answer, of course, is in the misalignment of payment incentives, something which #valuebasedcare can help to align, but without the data that GAM is organizing and operationalizing, we still won't see meaningful change. Amazing start to the two days here at Texas Association of Health Plans annual conference, looking forward to more insight!

🎉 Wrapping up the 3-day marathon that was the Texas Association of Health Plans 2023 conference, I can't help but be in awe of Texas' progress, conscious of the size of the challenges that face the state, and optimistic about the future. Here are some of my top takeaways from Days 2&3: 📄 Texas Medicaid has new leadership and she’s got priorities: Emily Zalkovsky is a veteran of HHSC but she’s new to the Medicaid Director role and she’s here with clear priorities. That kind of direction is just what the field needs to engage and transform the delivery system. Expanding access to members, driving adoption of value based models, and expanding partnerships are just a few of her top 5 priorities. She’s clearly a leader to watch in this space. 💰 Value Based Care is here to stay y’all: It says a lot that Day 2 of the conference had a panel on some aspect of value based care during all time slots. It’s a reflection that the state of VBC is strong here in TX and it was great to see what models are working and seeing high levels of uptake (TCOC attributed to PCP still dominates the space) and to have honest conversations about what’s not working (need to move beyond ‘boilerplate’ models, need to involve specialty care, need to think about what types of providers are the right principal care provider—hint: it’s not always the PCP!) 🚩 Business as we know it no longer: A key thread running through the panel conversations and the conversations at the water cooler was the high level of disruption this space is experiencing. Whether it is the Medicaid redetermination process, the questions raised by artificial intelligence creeping into the workflows of both payers and providers, or the rising costs of RX due to GLP-1 and other high-cost pharmaceuticals, it is clear that 2023 was a year of turbulent change. And don’t look to 2024 for stability. I’ll have a full write up next week, for now, know that Texas is an exciting market for those looking to bring value into the health care ecosystem. 

The Great Resignation has been felt everywhere, especially among those in the nursing profession. Leading health systems like Novant Health can no longer wait for healthcare to transform on its own – our patients and our team members are counting on us to take action. That’s why we’re launching the Novant Health Center for Public Policy Solutions, a forum where nurses and other clinicians can stand up and impact the public policies that shape the care they can provide. Read more about the next step to create a healthier future for our patients and bring remarkable experiences to life:

I couldn't agree more with Dr. Armistead's sentiment. Responding to data is not just a strategy; it's a philosophy that drives meaningful improvements in any field. By leveraging data-driven insights, we gain invaluable clarity into our operations, allowing us to identify strengths, pinpoint areas for growth, and make informed decisions that lead to positive change. Data empowers us to move beyond intuition and speculation, providing concrete evidence to guide our actions. Whether it's refining processes, enhancing customer experiences, or optimizing workflows, data serves as our compass, guiding us toward efficiency, innovation, and ultimately, success. Let's embrace Dr. Armistead's approach and unlock the transformative power of data to drive continuous improvement in our organizations. Together, let's turn insights into action and chart a course toward excellence. #DataDriven #ContinuousImprovement #Innovation

I promise there is so much to learn here. Check out Abt Global's first ever mini-Master Class! “With an eye toward understanding the data, understanding the evidence, and understanding where it's come, we can stay on track toward further progress and not relearn lessons of the past.” - Kelly Saldana #HealthSystems #GlobalHealth #Data #MasterClass

💡 Discover the priorities shaping hospital-business partnerships! Our new AHA report sheds light on how health care solution providers are aligning with evolving needs in 2024. Dive into the findings ➡ https://ow.ly/tgVC50Ql7ya

In this article has given me an insight on what is required to become a Health Information Management Professional.

And the winners are…   We congratulate the winners of the 7th annual Health Quality Innovators of the Year awards. Learn how this year’s nominees are improving quality of care across care settings and communities: https://lnkd.in/eTJKRzbP

EVENT – THE CASE FOR CONTEMPLATIVE CARE CONFERENCE: From practical techniques to philosophical insights, delve into the heart of contemplative practices at this one-day conference on 1st March. Contemplative care is a fast-growing practice that supports people with life-limiting/shortening conditions which focuses on the individual needs beyond traditional healthcare practices. Join the full-day conference to reflect on just how important contemplative care is, as well as some of the challenges that may come with it: https://lnkd.in/e7uqmtmp

I have seen a preview of this. It demonstrates that whether hospitals are are big or small, well resourced or resource constrained, quality care begins with strong teamwork. This presentation is worth attending.