Edmund Sabanegh, MD, MBA, serves as President of Main Campus and Regional Hospitals for Cleveland Clinic Health System.
On April 3rd, Dr. Sabanegh will speak at Becker's Hospital Review 10th Annual Meeting. As part of an ongoing series, Becker's is talking to healthcare leaders who plan to speak at the conference, which will take place April 1-4, 2019 in Chicago.
To learn more about the conference and Dr. Sabanegh's session, click here.
Question: What one strategic initiative will demand the most of your time and energy in 2019?
Edmund Sabanegh: Our hospital system is undergoing immense transformation both in expansion and optimization. including increased access for patients. We are in the process of procedural standardization throughout Ohio and working to create centers of excellence to ensure patients receive the highest quality care in the least amount of time. Each day more data is available providing new ways to do what we do, only better. In 2019, we will continue optimizing our health system for operational excellence with data-driven intel. My job and privilege, is to guide and support an incredible team of people who make change and transformation possible.
Q: Healthcare takes a lot of heat for not innovating quickly. What's your take on this?
ES: I would argue that innovation, now more than ever before, is a hallmark of the healthcare industry. The pace of more traditional innovation in the healthcare space is among the highest in any industry from drug development to procedural improvements and the use of robotics. The data and research happening within our field changes practice daily and demands continuous learning to stay current and relevant in our field.
The struggle we all face is how massive data and research rapidly translates into improved patient care. Innovation isn’t purely drug development or surgical tools, we must also improve care delivery and innovate how doctors and a healthcare system as a whole interact, treat and assist patients. We are making strides in home monitoring, information sharing and virtual care and are working on inter-disciplinary rounding, tiered huddles for expedited issues management and care path standardization. Taking the highest quality care to the patient, where they need it most is our most important duty.
Q: Tell us about the last meaningful interaction you had with a patient.
ES: I am a doctor first and foremost and in the operating room on a regular basis. Every interaction I have with a patient is meaningful. The patients I see inspire me to do better, work harder, listen, learn and improve their experience. As I look in their eyes, I try to see it through the lens of my family members’ perspective. It’s my most important job to take care of the patients and families that walk through our doors. I carry those experiences and knowledge through to my leadership role. The patients I see help me each day make decisions that affect their lives. When I emerge from surgery and receive a hug or handshake from a family member, I’m reminded that I’m in the greatest profession. No other job comes close to the rewards we receive from helping others.