A Playbook for Connected for Health: An Overlooked Strategic Imperative

While the Cures Act made connectivity between health systems, most health systems still struggle with challenges like these: dissatisfaction - intensifying care partner frustration from failing to receive the data necessary to care for the patient in a timely fashion; overstaffing - reliance on increased staffing to find data despite significant staffing shortages; technology not optimally utilized - uncoordinated, sometimes antiquated tools and non-standardized processes. This includes increasing fax volume. Yet, care partners are essential to a health system’s success. In fact, 1 in 3 patients are referred, resulting in 50% of outpatient volumes. And 63% of referring physicians are dissatisfied with the referral management process, citing lack of communication as the primary driver. Jefferson is on a journey to improve access and experience for patients, consumers and referring physicians. A first step was focusing on care partners by deploying a strategy to help better connect information within and across care venues. We’ve termed this Connected for Health. Via a case study, we will outline why NOW is the time to develop a holistic strategy for seamlessly sharing information with care partners; share a framework for connecting care partners and improving the referring provider experience; and provide a playbook.