A Regional Healthcare Organization Arises
A REGIONAL HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION ARISES
MG (Ret) Kendall Cox, Executive Director, Heart of Texas Defense Alliance
Col. Mark Thompson, Former Commander, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center
In late October 2015, Carlyle Walton, CEO of Metroplex Hospital, and Matt Maxfield, CEO of Seton Medical Center, met to discuss some common concerns associated with the support their hospitals were providing to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center (CRDAMC). Both were experiencing a sudden reduction in the level of service they were being asked to provide since the arrival of the new Commander, COL Mark Thompson. A follow-up meeting to voice concerns was held with the Heart of Texas Defense Alliance (HOTDA). It was determined that a discussion with COL Thompson and his staff would lead to a better understanding of the situation and potentially create a path forward.
In November 2015, a meeting was held with COL Thompson, Carlyle Walton, Matt Maxfield and MG (R) Cox, Executive Director of HOTDA. The discussion was open and transparent. The hospital CEO’s expressed their concerns about the recent decisions being made at CRDAMC. COL Thompson provided his rationale for these decisions based on his experience as a hospital commander, the recent results of surveys and analysis done by his staff, and an understanding of the upcoming capabilities of the new Darnall Army Medical Center, set to open in April 2016. The participants determined that a monthly meeting of all hospital and medical center CEOs in the region would be beneficial. The goal was to create a sustained, candid and collaborative discussion from which the most efficient and effective medical care could be developed as the new Medical Center came on line.
The first forum was hosted by Seton Medical Center. COL Thompson was asked to serve as chair of the group. Attendees included executives from CRDAMC, Metroplex, Seton Medical, Coryell Memorial, Baylor Scott & White, Cedar Crest, and the VA. The first meeting focused on: 1) a discussion of why this group had gotten together; 2) an explanation of the capabilities of each of the represented facilities; 3) a discussion of the common medical care concerns in the region; and, 4) a tour of Seton. This initial forum was so successful that it was determined by the group that a monthly meeting would be held. The hospital executives and COL Thompson have met each month for the past 17 months. Meetings have been held at a different hospital each month.
Collaborations always begin with some degree of skepticism that must be overcome, and this instance was no different. In this case, each CEO represents a business that is, at times, competitive. Competitive instincts can often be overcome by focusing on what collaborators have in common. In this instance, a significant portion of the work at these institutions is based on referrals from CRDAMC. Also, all healthcare providers recognized that they could benefit by delivering services more efficiently and effectively. By the second meeting, participants realized that this was an opportunity for all to work together to deliver premiere medical care from the point of injury to full recovery to all in Central Texas. Over the past 17 months numerous topics have been discussed, site visits to all institutions have been conducted, and positive, constructive relationships have developed.
Out of these discussions came the realization that a permanent organization should be created to focus on evolving issues, one that could survive certain changes in institutional leadership.
COL Thompson introduced a concept in which he had participated while serving as the hospital commander at Ft. Drum, New York. The Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO) was created as a non-profit, independent agency through the collaboration of multiple parties within the region surrounding Ft. Drum. The organization identifies health care needs, proposes solutions and develops funding mechanisms. FDRHPO’s structure was organized to address key health delivery concerns in the region. Over the 10 years since its formation, FDRHPO has generated approximately $1 million in funding for various health care projects. Completed projects include the organization of Emergency Medical Services and the establishment of a regional Health Information Exchange (HIE).
Local participants discussed the development of a similar regional health planning organization. These discussions were aided by input from key members of the Ft. Drum team. Discussions focused on the issues that a Ft. Hood Regional Health Planning Organization (FHRHPO) could address. Key projects that the group identified included the formation of a regional Health Information Exchange, the development and organization of expanded behavioral health capabilities, and the expansion of trauma services in the region. Participants concluded that the formation of a regional health planning organization could greatly benefit the region.
Currently, participants have begun to draft bylaws and explore funding sources. It is anticipated that the organization will be officially formed in the summer of 2017. The group expects to hire an Executive Director soon.
The first key project the FHRHPO will tackle is the formation of an HIE. The exchange will allow participant health care organizations in the region to share medical information (with patient permission) at a central location. The HIE will provide a secure portal through which physicians at participating health care providers can view the records of patients who may have undergone multiple tests by different physicians at different institutions. This will eliminate the need, in many cases, to repeat medical procedures and, as a result, reduce costs to the patient and speed up treatment. The HIE could also serve as a central portal for population health data and allow the organization to assess the health of the population in the region.
Discussions that began seventeen months ago have brought healthcare providers to the brink of establishing the Fort Hood Regional Health Planning Organization. FHRHPO will provide for the synchronization of the region’s medical systems to meet the needs of our rapidly growing community, ensure premiere health care delivery, and it serves as an example of the benefit that result from candid, collaborative discussions.
MG (Ret) Kendall Cox, Executive Director, Heart of Texas Defense Alliance
Col. Mark Thompson, Former Commander, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center
In late October 2015, Carlyle Walton, CEO of Metroplex Hospital, and Matt Maxfield, CEO of Seton Medical Center, met to discuss some common concerns associated with the support their hospitals were providing to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center (CRDAMC). Both were experiencing a sudden reduction in the level of service they were being asked to provide since the arrival of the new Commander, COL Mark Thompson. A follow-up meeting to voice concerns was held with the Heart of Texas Defense Alliance (HOTDA). It was determined that a discussion with COL Thompson and his staff would lead to a better understanding of the situation and potentially create a path forward.
In November 2015, a meeting was held with COL Thompson, Carlyle Walton, Matt Maxfield and MG (R) Cox, Executive Director of HOTDA. The discussion was open and transparent. The hospital CEO’s expressed their concerns about the recent decisions being made at CRDAMC. COL Thompson provided his rationale for these decisions based on his experience as a hospital commander, the recent results of surveys and analysis done by his staff, and an understanding of the upcoming capabilities of the new Darnall Army Medical Center, set to open in April 2016. The participants determined that a monthly meeting of all hospital and medical center CEOs in the region would be beneficial. The goal was to create a sustained, candid and collaborative discussion from which the most efficient and effective medical care could be developed as the new Medical Center came on line.
The first forum was hosted by Seton Medical Center. COL Thompson was asked to serve as chair of the group. Attendees included executives from CRDAMC, Metroplex, Seton Medical, Coryell Memorial, Baylor Scott & White, Cedar Crest, and the VA. The first meeting focused on: 1) a discussion of why this group had gotten together; 2) an explanation of the capabilities of each of the represented facilities; 3) a discussion of the common medical care concerns in the region; and, 4) a tour of Seton. This initial forum was so successful that it was determined by the group that a monthly meeting would be held. The hospital executives and COL Thompson have met each month for the past 17 months. Meetings have been held at a different hospital each month.
Collaborations always begin with some degree of skepticism that must be overcome, and this instance was no different. In this case, each CEO represents a business that is, at times, competitive. Competitive instincts can often be overcome by focusing on what collaborators have in common. In this instance, a significant portion of the work at these institutions is based on referrals from CRDAMC. Also, all healthcare providers recognized that they could benefit by delivering services more efficiently and effectively. By the second meeting, participants realized that this was an opportunity for all to work together to deliver premiere medical care from the point of injury to full recovery to all in Central Texas. Over the past 17 months numerous topics have been discussed, site visits to all institutions have been conducted, and positive, constructive relationships have developed.
Out of these discussions came the realization that a permanent organization should be created to focus on evolving issues, one that could survive certain changes in institutional leadership.
COL Thompson introduced a concept in which he had participated while serving as the hospital commander at Ft. Drum, New York. The Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO) was created as a non-profit, independent agency through the collaboration of multiple parties within the region surrounding Ft. Drum. The organization identifies health care needs, proposes solutions and develops funding mechanisms. FDRHPO’s structure was organized to address key health delivery concerns in the region. Over the 10 years since its formation, FDRHPO has generated approximately $1 million in funding for various health care projects. Completed projects include the organization of Emergency Medical Services and the establishment of a regional Health Information Exchange (HIE).
Local participants discussed the development of a similar regional health planning organization. These discussions were aided by input from key members of the Ft. Drum team. Discussions focused on the issues that a Ft. Hood Regional Health Planning Organization (FHRHPO) could address. Key projects that the group identified included the formation of a regional Health Information Exchange, the development and organization of expanded behavioral health capabilities, and the expansion of trauma services in the region. Participants concluded that the formation of a regional health planning organization could greatly benefit the region.
Currently, participants have begun to draft bylaws and explore funding sources. It is anticipated that the organization will be officially formed in the summer of 2017. The group expects to hire an Executive Director soon.
The first key project the FHRHPO will tackle is the formation of an HIE. The exchange will allow participant health care organizations in the region to share medical information (with patient permission) at a central location. The HIE will provide a secure portal through which physicians at participating health care providers can view the records of patients who may have undergone multiple tests by different physicians at different institutions. This will eliminate the need, in many cases, to repeat medical procedures and, as a result, reduce costs to the patient and speed up treatment. The HIE could also serve as a central portal for population health data and allow the organization to assess the health of the population in the region.
Discussions that began seventeen months ago have brought healthcare providers to the brink of establishing the Fort Hood Regional Health Planning Organization. FHRHPO will provide for the synchronization of the region’s medical systems to meet the needs of our rapidly growing community, ensure premiere health care delivery, and it serves as an example of the benefit that result from candid, collaborative discussions.