CARRIE HARRIS-MULLER. Senior Vice President of Population Health for OhioHealth (Columbus)
On the top challenge
“While we have witnessed miracles on the clinical side, the actual business of healthcare has remained unchanged for decades. We think that is causing major challenges for consumers, the biggest of which are accessibility, affordability and navigating the complex healthcare system.”
On the hospital’s response
“Healthcare is highly fragmented. Twenty-five percent of U.S. patients reported that medical records from one provider did not reach another provider in time for their appointment. By utilizing our Epic platform, we are enabling patients (and their medical records) to move freely through any of our hospitals, clinics and physician offices. And by connecting more and more of our patients to medical homes, we are better able to help coordinate their care.
Additionally, there is a shortage of specialists and primary care physicians and emergency rooms are overcrowded. [So] we’ve partnered with Ohio University’s medical school to help fill the pipeline with PCPs who plan to open their practices locally.
We have built a network of five (soon to be seven) freestanding emergency departments to relieve pressure on our hospital ERs and to provide more convenient options for consumers.
Furthermore, we have invested heavily in telemedicine programs such as the stroke network, eICU, eL&D, and e-visits with PCPs to make it more convenient for consumers.”
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