Carow Consulting knows how important keeping current with industry trends and healthcare best practice guidelines are in developing and maintaining high performance. Listed here are conferences and events that may be of interest to you or your colleagues.
Integrated Planning
Physician Alignment
Care Delivery Sites
Customer-centric Care
Service Line Development
Marketing
Integrated Planning
TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND BRACE YOURSELF...
HHN Magazine • Haydn Bush • January 2009
Provides an overview of the economic impact on hospitals during the recession and projections of future outcomes.
ESSENTIALS OF STRATEGY: A CAPITAL MARKETS PERSPECTIVE
Kaufman, Hall & Associates, Inc. • Mark E. Grube and Therese L.Wareham
Identifies six concepts related to strategy that make a critical difference to capital market decision makers.
INTEGRATING STRATEGIC AND FINANCIAL PLANNING
HHN Magazine • Lee Ann Runy • June 15, 2005
Provides an overview of the strategic and financial planning process and links organizational priorities to resource deployment.
STRATEGIC FINANCIAL PLANNING
Kaufman, Hall & Associates, Inc. • Mark E. Grube • December 2009
Outlines the key attributes, through case study examples, of the disciplined planning process at three organizations - leadership-team involvement; a data-driven approach with real-time tools; structured idea generation and decision-making; and target setting and monitoring.
LEVERAGING STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR IMPROVED FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Healthcare Financial Management • Zuckerman • Alan • December 1, 2000
Details methodology for identifying and prioritizing opportunities for financial improvement, which provide the greatest opportunity for long-term benefits. This is an older article, but the principles remain applicable.
CREATING A MARKET STRATEGY FOR 'BRAND LOYALTY'
Healthcare Financial Management
G. Martin Hutter, Edward A. Kazemek, Dwayne Worthy • october 1991
Discusses importance of resource allocation to product lines with the greatest contribution potential when patients and capital in limited supply. (This article is from the economic downturn in the early 1990s, but the concepts remain true.)
STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESSES AND HOSPITAL FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Journal of Healthcare Management
Kaissi, Amer A, Begun, James W, Nelson, Thor W, Thursday • May 1, 2008
Describes the results and study methodology that indicates that there is a positive correlation between positive financial performance and having a strategic plan, assigning responsibility to the CEO, and involving the Board of Directors.
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Physician Alignment
EFFECTIVE HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL STAFF RELATIONSHIP STRATEGIES
American College of Healthcare Executives • Kate Carow • January 16, 2013
Effective strategies for building strong hospital and medical staff relationships.
ACCOUNTABLE CARE ORGANIZATIONS: THE NEW PROVIDER MODEL?
Milliman on Healthcare • Robert Parke and Kate Fitch • October 13, 2009
Provides a good description of an accountable care organization (ACO) and identifies one possible strategy to control health care costs: rewarding providers for coordinating services and achieving quality outcomes by providing population-based care.
MOVING FROM VOLUME-DRIVEN MEDICINE TOWARD ACCOUNTABLE CARE
Health Affairs • Aaron McKethan and Mark McClennan • August 20, 2009
Presents opinions and recommendations in favor of ACOs on successful arrangements that tout this structure as a step toward better health care at a lower cost, rather than volume-driven payments.
DEVELOPING A HOSPITAL-PHYSICIAN ALIGNMENT STRATEGY
Great Boards • Barry S. Bader • Winter 2008
Detailed article discussing the need for a physician alignment strategy, a description of the various models, and the degree of integration.
PHYSICIAN-HOSPITAL INTEGRATION REDUX
Hospitals & Health Networks • John Larson • April 2008
Describes two models implemented by high performing health systems to increase physician alignment: the clinical and the hospital-based group practice models.
3 DURABLE STRATEGIES FOR PHYSICIAN ALIGNMENT: TODAY MORE THAN EVER, CHOOSING THE RIGHT PHYSICIAN STRATEGY IS CRITICAL FOR HOSPITALS
Healthcare Financial Management • Daniel M. Grauman and John M. Harris • December 2008
Presents three potential physician alignment strategies that are viable in a financial crisis: physician employment, professional service agreements, and income guarantees. Provides strategic, regulatory, financial, and implementation considerations under each option.
PHYSICIAN-HOSPITAL ALIGNMENT ISN'T JUST ABOUT PLAYING GOOD DEFENSE
HealthLeaders Media • Dennis Kennedy • March 30, 2009
Describes different opportunities for business growth and expansion and how each can be achieved through various physician arrangements.
WHAT’S NEXT? THE EVOLUTION IN HOSPITAL-PHYSICIAN RELATIONSHIPS
Healthcare Financial Management Association • June 2007
Older article that has many relevant tips on facilitating physician alignment, identifying common goals and financial opportunities, and recommending operational changes.
HOSPITAL-PHYSICIAN CLINICAL INTEGRATION
AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION • Center for Healthcare Governance • John H. Duffy and Trent Green • 2007
Provides detailed description of current hospital-physician relations; changes occurring in the market; the integrated medical staff model; the role of clinical integration through EMRs; benefits to the hospital, physician, patients and community; and how Senior Management and the Board can migrate to such models.
4 PHYSICIAN COMPENSATION MODELS FOR YOUR GROUP PRACTICE OR HOSPITAL
Medical Group Management Association • Caren Baginski • November 5, 2009
Outlines formulas for four basic physician compensation models tied to productivity incentives.
PHYSICIAN PRODUCTIVITY DISCUSSION PAPER
American Academy of Family Physicians • 2002
Older article, but provides good description of current physician productivity measurement strategies, uses for physician productivity, variables that impact physician productivity, and what these strategies may look like in the future.
SOMETHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN: STRUCTURING PHYSICIAN PRACTICE ACQUISITIONS
Healthcare Financial Management Association • Roger Strode and Carsten Beith • July 2009
Discusses the items to consider in acquiring physician groups. Identifies the common characteristics in practice acquisitions; outlines the trends driving the changes; and discusses the post-merger details, such as employment contracts, compensation structures, and governance and legal issues.
BRINGING SOMEONE IN: A SUCCESSION PLANNING PRIMER
AAOS Now • Peter Pollack • January 2008
Describes general overview of physician succession planning, from recruitment to retirement, including practice valuation.
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Care Delivery Sites
FAILING TO PLAN—OR PLANNING TO FAIL? DESIGNING A CLINIC FOR SUCCESS
Practice Management • Patrice Pash • December 2008
Provides tips on the size, space, layout, and design of your outpatient clinic based on service needs and offerings.
THE IMPLICATIONS OF STARK LAW
American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine • David L. Schick • October 21, 2009
Provides a detailed description of self-referral guidelines for designated health services for physicians and groups under Stark Law.
MAKING A CASE FOR HOSPITAL URGENT CARE
Journal of Urgent Care Medicine • Alan A. Ayers • January 2009
Provides support for hospital-affiliated urgent care centers to reduce ED overcrowding, capturing new business, and retaining patients.
AAAHC FIRST IN NATION TO OFFER ONSITE SURVEY FOR MEDICAL HOME ACCREDITATION
Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. • Abbie PeGan • May 18, 2009
Introduces the Medical Home Model accreditation process through the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. The on-site assessment involves looking at the quality of care provided, assessing perceptions and satisfaction, and reviewing medical records from the perspective of the patient.
CASE STUDY: INDIAN HEALTH COUNCIL CREATES A MEDICAL HOME FOR PATIENTS
Commonwealth Fund • Sarah Klein • November 20, 2008
Discusses successes and journey of a tribally run ambulatory care clinic in Southern California in implementing the medical home model to engage patients and better manage chronic disease.
CASE STUDY: INSTITUTE FOR URBAN FAMILY HEALTH: USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNITY ACTION TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF A DIVERSE PATIENT POPULATION
Commonwealth Fund • Douglas McCarthy • March 12, 2007
Describes how implementing EHRs in a network of New York clinics, to promote equitable access to high quality care to a socially and culturally diverse population, must also be coupled with community interventions to eliminate health care disparities.
URGENT CARE FACILITIES JUST WHAT DOCTOR ORDERED
American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine • Eileen Stilwell • October 12, 2009
Brief article discussing patients’ experiences with different urgent care models.
CASE STUDY: IMPROVING QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY IN RESPONSE TO PAY-FOR-PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES UNDER THE MEDICARE PHYSICIAN GROUP PRACTICE DEMONSTRATION
Commonwealth Fund • Douglas McCarthy • March 12, 2007
Discusses the early experiences of one of ten large physician groups selected to participate in Medicare’s three-year pay-for-performance initiative to test how payment options promote greater coordination of care, more efficient service delivery, and improved health outcomes.
NEW TO URGENT CARE
Urgent Care Association of America
Summarizes items to consider when opening an urgent care center.
NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED:
THE RESURGENCE OF URGENT CARE CENTERS IN THE UNITED STATES
Robin M. Weinick and Renee M. Betancourt • California HealthCare Foundation • September 2007
Provides background on urgent care centers in the United States - highlighting developments and trends; and exploring key issues and questions; related to their prospects for the future. Specific details are provided on California-based urgent care centers.
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Customer-centric Care
PATIENT-CENTERED MEDICAL HOMES BETTER CARE, BETTER VALUE
Healthcare Strategy Alert! • Debbie Reczynski and Katie Carow • 2009 Issue 6
Interview with the Geisinger Health System offering advice on delivering a better care experience while controlling costs through the medical home model.
CMS CLARIFIES OVERSIGHT OF HCAHPS IN 2009, RELEASES UPDATED SCORES
HealthLeaders Media • Heather Comak • April 16, 2009
Indicates that the original intent of introducing HCAHPS scores, to give patients more information to choose and select their care, is not being utilized. However the less intended outcome, which was to encourage hospitals to enhance care, is occurring.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION AND HOSPITAL PATIENT EXPERIENCES
Forum for People Performance Management and Measurement
Discusses outcome of an employee and patient satisfaction survey at a major New York City hospital. Results showed a correlation between employee satisfaction and patient satisfaction and the quality of care provided.
HOW SHOULD WE MEASURE PATIENT SATISFACTION?
Physician Executive • David P. Tarantino • July-August, 2004
Outlines process of measuring patient satisfaction based on qualitative and quantitative measures to uncover service expectations and perceptions.
MEASURING PATIENT SATISFACTION: HOW TO DO IT AND WHY TO BOTHER
Family Practice Management • Brandi White • January 1999
Provides basic overview of patient satisfaction survey design.
HAND IN HAND
Trustee • Sherree Geyer • 2005
Discusses the crucial link between employee and customer satisfaction and how this leads to improved patient outcomes, lower labor costs, and increased referrals.
IMPROVING SERVICE AND INCREASING PATIENT SATISFACTION
American Academy of Family Physicians • Susan Keane Baker • 1998
Describes how service plays a greater role in patients’ selection and retention of health care, since it is difficult for patients to evaluate quality, resulting in the need to establish service standards to improve satisfaction scores.
INCREASING PATIENT SATISFACTION: A KEY BENEFIT OF IMPROVING PATIENT FLOW PERFORMANCE
Indicates that higher physician satisfaction ratings, among non-Medicare patients, have a higher correlation with increased time spent with the physician and shorter wait times.
INCREASE PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH STEPHEN BEESON'S DATA-DRIVEN STRATEGIES
Medical Group Management Association Blog • Caren Baginski • June 23, 2009
Describes Mayo Clinic principles to promote physician satisfaction and work-life balance.
PRINCIPLES TO PROMOTE PHYSICIAN SATISFACTION AND WORK-LIFE BALANCE Clinical and Health Affairs • Tait D. Shanafelt, M.D., Colin P. West, M.D., Ph.D., Gregory A. Poland, M.D., Nicolas F. LaRusso, M.D., Ronald Menaker, Ed.D., and Rebecca S. Bahn, M.D. • December 2008
Provides three different examples to describe how increases in patient satisfaction occurred due to improving patient flow and bed management at the hospital-wide level.
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Service Line Development
Making Every Dollar Count: Growing Profitable Service Lines Healthcare Marketing • Advisor Katie Carow • November 2010
Describes a methodology to evaluate and prioritize service line investments to focus on profitability and cultural buy-in.
ASSESSING THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE: SIX INITIAL STEPS: IS A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN YOUR ORGANIZATION'S FUTURE? SOME IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS CAN HELP YOU LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR MAKING THIS CRITICAL DECISION
Healthcare Financial Management • Michael C. Boblitz and Jon M. Thompson • October 2005
Outlines assessment process for determining the feasibility of creating a center of excellence: forecasting demographics, identifying service lines, calculating use rates, evaluating market trends and share, conducting a financial review, and formulating a plan. Older article, but remains relevant.
CREATING COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE: PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: TAKE A LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING GROWTH AND FINANCIAL RETURN BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHAT PRODUCT LINES ARE PROFITABLE FOR THEM TO CULTIVATE. CAN YOU SAY THE SAME THING ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION?
Healthcare Financial Management • Alan M. Zuckerman • June 2005
Describes the product development process incorporating technology reviews, market needs, financial feasibility, return on investment and payback period.
IMPROVING SERVICE LINE PERFORMANCE WITH HEALTHCARE BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
B-eye-Network • Scott Wanless • April 29, 2008
Explains the service line process, discusses the various applications and purpose of service line analytics, outlines the typical metrics, and how to analyze performance from a variety of perspectives.
INTEREST GROWS AS EARLY ADOPTERS DEPLOY DASHBOARDS
Healthcare Finance News • Patty Enrado • March 30, 2007
Brief article discussing increasing need to compile management metrics from multiple systems and sources.
STEPS TOWARD AN AUTOMATED SCORECARD SYSTEM: FOR AN AT-A-GLANCE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW YOUR REVENUE CYCLE METRICS ARE TRACKING, ONE OF THE BEST TOOLS IS A WELL-DESIGNED SCORECARD SYSTEM
Healthcare Financial Management • Mark Johnson • February 2006
Discusses the process of establishing key performance indicators across the organization, setting baselines, and then agreeing to manage according to the scorecard.
HOW TO OPTIMIZE YOUR USE OF PERFORMANCE DASHBOARDS
Executive Healthcare Management • CareMedic Systems • Quarter 4 2009
Discusses the use of performance dashboards including key features, critical alerts, customization capabilities, and addressing the needs of different audiences.
PROMOTING QUALITY: THE HEALTH-CARE ORGANIZATION FROM A MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE
International Journal for Quality in Health Care Advance Access • Seth W. Glickman, Kelvin A. Baggett, Christopher G. Krubert, Eric D. Peterson, and Kevin A. Schulman • October 18, 2007
Discusses the structure for implementing quality improvement initiatives, through executive leadership, culture, organizational design, incentive structures, and information management and technology. This article is focused on quality improvement initiatives at the enterprise and service line level.
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Marketing
Patient-Centered Medical Homes: Better Care, Better value • HEalthcare Strategy Alert! • Debbie Reczynski & Katie Carow • 2009
Marketing study evaluating the current status of the healthcare marketing profession with comparisons to previous State of the Art studies in order to understand the ongoing evolution and growth of the profession.
THREE R’S OF MARKETING MEASUREMENT:
HOW ROI, ROO AND ROE CHANGE THE WAY WE SPELL SUCCESS
Dobies Healthcare Group • Randee Gannon • September 2009
Provides a valuable approach to measuring and tracking marketing performance through investments, objectives, and engagements.
ROI: HOW DO HEALTHCARE MARKETERS MEASURE UP?
HealthLeaders Media • Gienna Shaw • March 11, 2009
Highlights key findings from the McKinsey and Company Survey Results related to ROI and marketing practices at consumer versus health care companies.
HOW TO USE MARKETING TO WIN PATIENTS DESPITE OUR CURRENT ECONOMIC CRISIS Healthcare Success Strategies,
Stewart Gandolf and Lonnie Hirsch • 2009
Discusses health care marketing mistakes to avoid and tactics to execute upon in a poor economy.
MARKETING IN A RECESSION: BEYOND THE OBVIOUS
Information Technology Services Marketing Association • Chris Koch
Provides additional tips on how health care organizations should approach marketing in a recession.
2009 SURVEY OF HEALTH CARE CONSUMERS: KEY FINDINGS, STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS
Paul H. Keckley and Laura L. Eselius • March 2009
Reflects second annual Deloitte Center for Health Solutions’ consumer survey results regarding wellness/healthy living, consumer decision making, health services provided, complementary medicine, insurance coverage/financial considerations, and health care reform.
GETTING THE WORD OUT: AN INTRODUCTION TO URGENT CARE ADVERTISING
Journal of Urgent Care Medicine • Alan A. Ayers • March 2009
Describes the unique requirements of urgent care advertising and provides helpful tips.
RX FOR HOSPITALS: A BIG DOSE OF CRM
CRM Buyer • John K. Higgins • November 30, 2009
Touts the benefits of customer relationship software to drive customer traffic, target marketing, and identify profit centers.
DRIVING CRM VALUE IN HEALTHCARE: DEPLOYING INTUITIVE CRM OPTIONS CAN PRODUCE GREATER ROI AND ENHANCED PATIENT AND CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE
Health Management Technology • Rebecca Wettemann • September 2007
Outlines the benefits and the challenges to overcome in utilizing customer relationship software in the health care environment.
WAL-MART WANTS YOUR RASH AND STREP THROAT
CNNMoney • Parija B. Kavilanz • April 14, 2009
Discusses how major retail chains are capitalizing on convenience and price to treat minor ailments.
ANALYZING FOCUS GROUP DATA WITH SPREADSHEETS
American Journal of Health Studies • Margaret S. Stockdale • Winter 2002
Provides a detailed description of the focus group process and how to conduct and analyze it, an older article, but a good one.