Physician Enterprise Optimization

by Rudd Kierstead, Principal
and Robert F. Hill, Jr., Principal

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Prior to the pandemic, we learned something quite surprising.  In a Veralon survey, only 42% of respondents viewed the financial losses on employed physician enterprises as “unacceptable” or a “major priority.” Perhaps “surprising” is too tame a description.  We were “shocked.”  At the time of our survey, the level of losses typically varied between $150,000-$200,000 […]

3 Ways to Build Relationships with Independent Physicians Now



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It is the opportune time to build relationships with independent physicians. As always, one answer does not fit all so leadership needs to assess each individual physician and the appropriate models with care and attention. After more than two months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation for many independent practices remains shaky. Practices are struggling […]

Address “Sacred Cows” to Get Past COVID-19 Shock

by Mark J. Dubow, Director
and John Harris, Director

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Every organization has sacred cows. The financial challenge from COVID-19 calls for large scale improvements. This has emboldened our clients to address sacred cows, making tough changes that were unthinkable a few months ago.  The time to act is now! Sacred cows to consider include: Underperforming Assets: Every organization has some assets that perform significantly […]

COVID-19 and Your Strategic Plan: What Now?

by John Harris, Director
Meredith Inniger, Manager

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The pandemic has led healthcare leaders to ask, “Should we just throw out our strategic plan?” Though much has changed, the quickest and most effective way to lead and make good decisions – and to reassure boards and other stakeholders – is to revise and build on your existing strategic plan[1]. It will help set […]

COVID-19: 5 Approaches to Creating Parallel Systems of Care During the Pandemic

by Mark J. Dubow, Director
and John Harris, Director

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Though COVID-19 has absorbed the world’s attention, hospitals must also effectively treat all of those patients who needed care before COVID-19 appeared. Many of these patients are deferring or skipping necessary care, often against their physician’s advice, for fear of contracting COVID-19 at a healthcare provider. Providers need to allay patient fears and establish effective […]

COVID-19: Is This The Peak, or Just A Peak?

by John Harris, Director
Molly Johnson, Manager

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What COVID-19 volume should hospitals expect over the next 6 to 12 months? In the last two months, some hospitals experienced exponential COVID-19 census growth, while others stared at empty hallways as stay-at-home orders flattened the growth before it took off. Doubling of cases occurred as quickly as every 3-5 days before states exercised any […]

COVID-19: Clinical Service Delivery Re-Opening Triggers/Checklist

by Mark Dubow, Director
Lynda Mischel, Principal

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Across the nation, hospitals are planning for rapid resumption of elective and other non-emergent care. State regulatory approval to do so is the critical initial hurdle/”trigger”. If you are a COO, service line administrative/medical director, or ambulatory care center leader the chart below is Veralon’s guide in preparing for and assessing your readiness to proceed […]

COVID-19: A Service Line Approach to Re-Engaging Patients During the Pandemic

by Mark J. Dubow, Director
and Lynda Mischel, Principal

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The COVID-19 crisis is likely to include a series of recurring cycles over an extended period —a “pulsed recovery” that will result in a new normal in which clinical care operations have fundamentally changed. While Herculean efforts are focused on the immediate challenges, the deferred needs of the chronically ill (e.g., congestive heart failure, COPD, […]