Kelli Cole, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP, serves as Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist, Department of Pharmacy at the University of Toledo Medical Center.
On April 7th, Kelli will serve on the Pharmacy Leadership Forum "Key Thoughts on Controlling Pharmacy Costs - Lessons from Leadership" at Becker's Hospital Review 11th 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 on April 6-9, 2020 in Chicago.
To learn more about the conference and Kelli's session, click here.
Question: What, from your perspective, is the biggest challenge about the future of work for hospitals, and what can they do about it? (i.e. automation, desire for more flexibility, clinician shortages, etc.)
Kelli Cole: One of the biggest challenges facing the future of hospitals is the shift in the healthcare industry from inpatient to outpatient care. Because of this, greater emphasis is being placed on the development of ambulatory care services that focus on value, rather than volume. In order to adapt to this, hospitals can take a look at themselves and identify if any of the services they are currently providing inpatient could instead be provided in an ambulatory setting. For example, in the world of Antimicrobial Stewardship, institutions are developing outpatient infusion programs whereby intravenous antimicrobials are administered in a clinic space, rather than the hospital setting. In doing this, institutions can avoid potentially costly hospital admissions, yet still provide high-quality patient care.
Q: How can hospitals reconcile the need to maintain inpatient volumes with the mission to keep people healthier and out of the hospital?
KC: As described above, the re-allocation of resources to focus on ambulatory care is a means by which institutions can strike this balance. A strong connection between inpatient and outpatient services, including seamless transition-of-care programs, will minimize loss to follow-up and ensure that patients remain “in-care” at any given point of time. In this way, patients receive the appropriate level of care exactly when they need it and are less likely to seek care elsewhere.
Q: What's one lesson you learned early in your career that has helped you lead in healthcare?
KC: One lesson that I learned early in my career is that the learning never stops. New information is constantly emerging and it is essential that I stay up-to-date on the most current literature in order to provide the best care to my patients.
Q: Where do you go for inspiration and fresh ideas?
KC: Twitter! Even just one tweet can trigger a cascade of new ideas and perspectives.