Rural Hospital Networks: Lessons Learned

Transcription

1 600 East Superior Street, Suite 404 I Duluth, MN I Ph or I Rural Hospital Networks: Lessons Learned Terry Hill Executive Director July 2010

2 A Quick Lesson in Physics

3 A Quick Lesson in Physics There are six types of simple machines: Levers Pulleys Wheels and axles Ramps Wedges Screws

4 Simple Machines A simple machine is a device that can provide one of the following two benefits: 1. It can increase the force that is applied, so that the output (resistance) force is bigger than the input (effort) force, OR 2. It can increase the speed at which a task is performed.

5 A Network as a Simple Machine Increases the effort that is applied to issues affecting members, so benefits are larger than the work individual members could reasonably accomplish on their own. Increases the speed at which benefits are accomplished. Best of all, both of these things can be achieved at once and so much more.

6 On to the Network Summit December 15-16, 2009 in Minneapolis, Minnesota Sponsored by the Technical Assistance and Services Center (TASC), a program of the National Rural Health Resource Center, and the National Cooperative of Health Networks Funding provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration, Office of Rural Health Policy

7 The Network Summit

8 Participants Montana Rural Health Care Performance Improvement Network Western Healthcare Alliance The Hospital Cooperative National Cooperative of Health Networks Oregon Rural Healthcare Quality Network Montana Area Health Education Center and Office of Rural Health Rural Healthcare Quality Network University of Minnesota, Rural Health Research Center Upper Peninsula Health Care Network Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Texas Organization of Rural Community Hospitals Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative

9 Goals of the Network Summit Tap the collective wisdom of experienced network leaders regarding: Productive network activities Critical success factors Lessons learned Build a national knowledge center Create a national learning community

10 Goals of the Network Summit Facilitated meeting of network leaders Questions were sent in advance to participants While onsite, participants: Related experiences Shared perspectives Offered opinions Topics: Quality, Health Information Technology (HIT), Workforce, Governance and Leadership

11 Why Do Networks Form? Create economies of scale and access to funds Advocate at the regional, state and national level Develop new products and services Increase manpower and technical expertise Address common needs

12 Why Do Networks Form? Share education, information and other resources Networking and peer support Enable benchmarking and improvement Prepare for future challenges and create opportunities

13 Quality Improvement: Challenges Gaining participation by all network members Obtaining CEO support for initiatives Gathering too much data, and using too little Working with small numbers and statistical relevance Continuing momentum through staff turnover

14 Quality Improvement: Lessons Learned Networks can encourage meaningful participation through peer support and collaboration Rural hospitals should be players in national quality initiatives and reporting Data must be used for decision support or it won t impact quality less is more Sharing successes and best practices improves outcomes Imbed quality initiatives in the hospital culture Engage hospital CEOs and physicians

15 Agreeing on a common system or platform Engaging physicians HIT: Challenges Shortage of skilled, experienced professionals Generating capital funding to purchase electronic medical record systems

16 HIT: Lessons Learned Networks must be involved in state/regional HIT policy and activities Help formulate a vision for how HIT improves quality, safety, efficiency and productivity Recruit, train and share qualified HIT staff and consultants Netoworks can also seek capital funding, discount pricing and shared services

17 Finances: Challenges Ongoing need for training and education Creating a fair, but adequate dues structure Identifying sources of revenue Diversification of revenue, lack of investment capital Participation in newly developed products and services Uncertainty created by economics, reimbursement, and reform

18 Finances: Lessons Learned Always sell the value of the network to members Finding stable sources of non-dues revenue is a must, focus on needs Run like a business: strategic planning, business plans, diversified revenue sources, Return On Investment (ROI), etc. Improving hospital member bottom lines is important Network initiatives require trust

19 Workforce: Challenges Establishing member trust to enable cooperative staff recruitment and sharing Providing ongoing, high quality distance education and job training Getting an accurate picture of members workforce needs through surveys Addressing both short and long-term needs in light of shortages

20 Workforce: Lessons Learned Develop relationships with qualified training institutions Peer to peer networking reduces isolation Look for new workforce models: pooling, training, recruiting Shared staff and consulting expertise is cost effective Make training and recruiting an ongoing effort, but don t neglect retention

21 Governance & Leadership: Challenges Providing quality, rural-relevant education on governance, leadership, and management Managing instability due to frequent turnover and resource limitations Ineffective board selection, governance training, and practices Engaging and maintaining physician involvement in hospital leadership Limited opportunities for network leaders to get together, share best practices, and learn together

22 Governance & Leadership: Lessons Learned Review the mission, vision and strategic goals regularly Clearly state annual objectives Establish a change-oriented culture Network religiously and provide ongoing training Complete self-assessments and have a succession plan in place Employ consultants, mentors, performance frameworks, and accountability

23 7 Measures of Network Success 1. Building a customer service culture 2. Aligning products and services with mission 3. Being data-driven 4. Fostering dialogue and engagement 5. Being a broker of ideas 6. Creating organizational adaptability 7. Building alliances

24 Terry Hill Executive Director National Rural Health Resource Center 600 East Superior Street, Suite 404 Duluth, MN (218) ext. 232