Knowledge on the Go

Mortality

Mortality is often viewed as a key indicator of the quality of care in a healthcare organization, and something that most organizations are working to improve upon.
Through Vizient's work with national organizations all working to improve mortality, key lessons learned have emerged that can help organizations improve mortality within their facilities. Shannon Hale Senior PI Director of Performance Improvement Programs at Vizient joins host Nicole Spatafora, AVP, Performance Improvement, Vizient, to discuss mortality improvement.
 
Guest:Shannon HaleSenior PI Program Director, Performance Improvement ProgramsVizient
Host:Nicole SpataforaAVP, Performance ImprovementVizient
 
Show Notes:
[00:47 – 02:48] Why it is so important that healthcare facilities look at mortality
[02:49 – 04:24] Getting C-Suite buy in
[04:25 – 07:36] How organizations can get their frontline engaged
[07:37 – 08:58] What happens if you don't have engagement at the C-suite level or frontline level
[08:59 – 10:55] Sustaining change
[10:56 – 12:15] PI Mortality future plans
 
Links | Resources:Contacting Knowledge on the Go: picollaboratives@vizientinc.com
 
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The power of value analysis

Value analysis empowers health systems to make strategic, evidence-based decisions to optimize patient outcomes and reduce costs. Host LaTammy Marks and guest Nicole Schmidt talk about the power of value analysis in healthcare. Nicole shares how her team built a structured process that emphasizes stakeholder engagement, data integration, and continuous improvement at the University of Kansas Health System.
 
Guest speaker:Nicole Schmidt System Assistant DirectorThe University of Kansas Health System
Host:LaTammy Marks, MBA, BSN, RNSenior PI Program Director, Performance Improvement ProgramsVizient
 
Links | Resources:Contacting Knowledge on the Go: picollaboratives@vizientinc.com
 
Show notes: [ 00:44 – 01:26] Why value analysis has been top-of-mind for The University of Kansas Health System[01:27 – 02:20] Why it’s important for The University of Kansas Health System to participate in Vizient Value Analysis Benchmarking Survey[02:21 – 03:57] Gaining buy-in from leadership when initially implementing your Value Analysis program?[03:58 – 06:09] How The University of Kansas Health System goes beyond price and manage and analyze data to support value analysis decisions[06:10 – 07:37] Lessons Learned in The University of Kansas Health System Value Analysis Program[07:38 – 10:24] Notable achievements related to The University of Kansas Health System’s Value Analysis Program[10:25 – 11:52] Number one thing Nicole would share with organizations on how they can get started on focusing on value analysis more[11:53 – 13:10] What is next for The University of Kansas Health System Value Analysis Program
 
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Mobility is medicine

Patient immobility can lead to serious complications such as muscle loss, blood clots, depression and loss of independence. However, without proper training and support, many healthcare workers feel it is unsafe to mobilize patients. Host Laura Hoffman is joined by Nancy McGahn, enterprise safety mobility manager at Intermountain Health, to discuss "Mobility is Medicine." They explore how the Safe Mobility Program integrates fall prevention, safe patient handling, and mobility strategies to improve outcomes. 
 
Guest speaker:Nancy McGann PT, CSPHP, CPPSEnterprise Manager of Safe MobilityFall Prevention, Safe Patient Handling & MobilityIntermountain Health
Host:Laura Hoffman DNP, MSN, RN, CPHQSenior Program Director, Performance Improvement ProgramsVizient
 
Links | Resources:Contacting Knowledge on the Go: picollaboratives@vizientinc.com
 
Show notes: [01:25] – Exploring the risks to both caregivers and patients when mobility isn't executed safely and properly. [02:00] – The fears around mobilizing patients and highlighting the knowledge gaps that often fuel those fears.[03:11] – Not moving patients can increase their risk of falling.[04:42] – Introducing the three-part cycle of a successful mobility program.[06:26] – Building fall prevention care plan matters when working with patient goals [08:29] – Supporting staff beyond physical and occupational therapy to feel confident in moving patients.[09:53] – The unique mobility challenges in the ICU and why early movement is critical to patient recovery. [10:39] – The Bedside Mobility Tool empowers nurses with the right technology and confidence to mobilize patients safely.[11:18] – Reviewing key performance indicators (KPIs) and program data to measure the impact and success of the mobility initiative.
 
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Systemness

Hospital mergers and acquisitions can be both transformative and complex, requiring careful alignment and integration of systems. In this episode, host Thomas Sauls speaks with Ed Moore, President of UMass Memorial Harrington Hospital, and Eric Alper, Chief Quality and Clinical Informatics Officer at UMass Memorial Health, about the successful acquisition of Harrington Hospital. They share insights into the integration process, from transitioning to a unified electronic health record system to enhancing financial and quality performance while preserving organizational culture and community-focused care.
 
Guest speakers:Ed Moore President, UMass Memorial – Harrington Hospital
 
Eric Alper MDChief Quality Officer and Chief Clinical Informatics OfficerUMass Memorial Health
 
Host:Thomas SaulsFellow, Performance Improvement ProgramsVizient
 
Links | Resources:Contacting Knowledge on the Go: picollaboratives@vizientinc.com
 
Show notes: [0:51] Driving forces behind the merger of Harrington Hospital and UMass Memorial [3:05] Aligning the mission and vision as a key reason for the merger [04:51] Preserving the local leadership and culture during the acquisition [7:05] Key operational challenges and strategies used to align hospital systems post-merger[09:10] How patient care improves with data and metrics[10:55] Best practices for ensuring a smooth transition and integration between the two systems[13:13] Improvements to the systems six to twelve months after the merger[15:32] Balancing autonomy with integration—how hospitals can maintain local identity and control[16:50] Examples of how systemness can benefit patients and staff[18:12] Giving up independence and benefits of integrating [19:10] Being entity focused and centralized to deliver across the entire system 
 
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Workplace violence in the ambulatory setting

Workplace violence in ambulatory care settings presents unique challenges due to open access, isolated locations and limited security resources. Jennifer Rodgers, Chief Nursing Officer at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, speaks to our host, Maha Siddiqui, about effective strategies for preventing and managing risks. Jennifer shares her experience developing key interventions, including AI-driven communication tools and her role supporting both staff and patients. 
 
Guest speaker:Jennifer Rodgers, DNP, ACNP-BC, FAANPChief Nursing Officer Assistant Professor, Pulmonary/Critical Care MedicineUniversity of Colorado Hospital UC Health 
 
Host:Maha SiddiquiFellow, Performance Improvement ProgramsVizient
 
Links | Resources:Contacting Knowledge on the Go: picollaboratives@vizientinc.com
Jennifer Rodgers: Jennifer.Rodgers@uchealth.org
 
Show notes: [0:55] Ambulatory care includes in-person, electronic, and phone interactions, each with unique workplace violence challenges[2:49] Advocating for patients and staff helps improve safety and understanding[3:30] Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT) model created for rapid response strategies to manage crises [5:37] Scripting and decision tools help the staff handle patient aggression [7:05] AI filters supports de-escalation and strengthens staff boundaries[8:58] Analyzing frontline cases helps identify causes and improve patient support[10:16] A workplace safety toolkit provides triage protocols and de-escalation strategies
 
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Establishing a structured sepsis performance improvement team

In this episode Dr. Lauren Williams, Patient Safety Manager at AHN Wexford Hospital, shares valuable insights from her hospital's efforts to improve sepsis care. Speaking with host Shannon Hale, Lauren highlights the critical need for enhanced compliance with SEP-1 sepsis care bundles, tackling challenges like high readmission rates and resource constraints. She discusses innovative strategies, such as providing real-time feedback to emergency departments and inpatient teams to drive improvement. 
 
Guest speaker:Lauren Williams, DNP, MA, RN, NE-BCPatient Safety ManagerAHN Wexford Hospital
 
Host:Shannon Hale, MHA, RN, CPHQSenior program Director, PI ProgramsVizient
 
Show Notes:
[1:12] Dr. Lauren Williams discusses entering Vizient’s Performance Improvement Collaborative to understand how other healthcare systems are addressing sepsis challenges
[1:59] Goals for joining the collaborative and information shared across the board
[3:13] The importance of using data to improve outcomes for sepsis patients and how it leads to meaningful process changes
[4:35] Dr. Williams explains how her hospital was able to overcome significant barriers and navigate challenges despite working with limited resources
[5:13] Celebrating some of the greatest successes, including improved compliance, reduced readmission rates and lower mortality rates
 
Links | Resources:Contacting Knowledge on the Go: picollaboratives@vizientinc.com
Dr. Lauren Williams’ email: Lauren.Williams2@ahn.org 
 
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Environmental Sustainability: A journey worth taking (UW Medicine’s story)

More than 200 medical journals identified climate change as the greatest global threat.  In this podcast, UW Medicine describes how focusing on environmental sustainability improved their vendor selections, supply chain flow, patient care and saved them hundreds of thousands of dollars.
 
Guest speakers: Tara T. Biss, MBA, CSFAValue Analysis Portfolio Manager, Strategic SourcingUW Medicine Supply Chainbisst@uw.edu
 
Gabriella HenkelsSustainability and Waste Manager, Essential Services Harborview Medical Center
 
Louise Simpson, MHAAssociate Vice President, Clinical IntegrationOffice of the President, UW Medicine Hospitals & Clinicsljws@uw.edu 
 
Host: LaTammy Marks, MBA, BSN, RNSenior PI Program DirectorPerformance Improvement ProgramsVizient
 
Show Notes:
[1:34] UW Medicine’s green team and their purpose
[3:45] Determining environmental sustainability opportunities
[6:00] What teams to include and how to get leadership buy-in
[7:45] Establishing goals
[8:30] Environmental sustainability success stories
[12:50] Lessons learned
 
Links | Resources:
Contacting Knowledge on the Go: picollaboratives@vizientinc.com
To learn more about Vizient’s Environmental Sustainability program contact: ES@vizientinc.com
Another podcast on this same topic: Go Green: Why your healthcare system should be engaged in environmental sustainability: https://knowledgeonthego.podbean.com/?s=go%20green
 
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Nurse delegation

Hospitals are in the business of improving care and want to keep patients safe and have a satisfied workforce. More creative staffing models are emerging, and hospitals are focusing on more advanced training of non-licensed nursing personnel (unlicensed associates) to perform tasks previously relegated to nurses. Nurses have the capability and responsibility to delegate. With effective teamwork, patient outcomes can improve as nurses are freed to work at the highest level of their education and experience.
 
Guest speaker:Michelle Davis, MSN, BPS, RN, CMSRNAssistant Vice President, Medical ServicesUnity Health
 
Host:Amber Hanser, MHA, CPHQSenior Program DirectorPerformance Improvement ProgramsVizient
 
Show Notes:
[01:21] Nursing Operations at Unity Health
[02:00] Comprehensive delegation training: components and oversight
[03:50] Putting the training program together
[05:41] Tools and sessions
[08:07] Advice to other organizations about nurse delegation
 
Links | Resources:
Contacting Knowledge on the Go:
picollaboratives@vizientinc.com
Amber’s email: amber.hanser@vizientinc.com
Michelle’s email: michelle.davis@unity-health.org
 
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Building Success for the Community Health Worker

Chronic illnesses present a significant challenge to our healthcare system, straining resources and impacting patient quality of life. One innovative approach to tackling this issue is the community health worker model, a strategy that empowers individuals to take control of their health and navigate complex healthcare systems more effectively.
Today, we are exploring the creation of the model and how to create sustainability. Vanessa Saylor, systems director of health equity at Main Line Health in Philadelphia joins us to discuss her work on building the community health worker model.
 
Guests:
Vanessa Saylor, Ed.D, MSW, LSW, CCM
System Director, Health Equity
Main Line Health
 
Host:
Margaret Rudisill, RN, BSN, MS-HQS
Senior PI Program Director
Vizient
 
Show Notes:
[01:21 – 02:24]  The moment Vanessa realized that a community health worker model could make a significant difference in managing chronic illnesses
[02:25 – 03:58]  Gaining buy-in from stakeholders
[03:59 – 05:23]  Initial challenges you faced when trying to implement the community health worker model and overcoming them
[05:24 – 07:17]  Most effective strategies fostering trust between the community health worker and the patients
[07:18 – 08:32]  Data collected and analyzed to demonstrate the worth and sustainability of the program
[08:33 – 09:47]  Advice for other organizations looking to build a successful community health worker model
 
For more information, email picollaboratives@vizientinc.com
 
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Pharmacy Revenue Cycle

The pharmacy revenue cycle is a multi-phase continuous process, which requires ongoing collaboration across many disciplines. The process starts at pre-registration and continues through payment reconciliation. Steven Loborec, associate director of Pharmacy at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center joins host Jim Lichauer to discuss the details of his program.
 
Guest:Steven Loborec, PharmDAssociate Director of PharmacyThe Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
 
Moderator:Jim Lichauer, PharmD, BCPS, FASHPSenior PI Program Director, PharmacyVizient 
Show Notes:
[00:45 – 02:34] Overview of pharmacy revenue cycle process and areas where tOSU Wexler Medical Center is engaged
[02:35 – 04:10] Addressing the Charge Master
[04:11 – 09:14] Finding new and additional revenue streams
[09:15 – 13:31] Identifying medications or sites of care opportunities that generate greatest margins
[13:32 – 14:14] Lessons learned
 
Links | Resources:
Contacting Knowledge on the Go: picollaboratives@vizientinc.com
 
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