Rethinking Traditional Healthcare Models Can Spark Innovation in Hospitals

They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and that is certainly true these days as necessity has sparked inventions that are reshaping healthcare. As COVID-19 continues to strain and challenge the capacity of hospitals nationwide, at UVA Health we are thinking deeply about the strategies we can deploy to successfully manage through the next season of the pandemic. Like most hospitals, over the past two years we have learned to innovate and turn on a dime to solve the most pressing problems and to address new challenges. To that end, we are rethinking many of our care models and developing innovative solutions to keep patients, team members, students, and our community safe in the future.

There are many ground-breaking programs taking place at UVA Health. Below are three that I’d like to highlight here, as they may be of value to other healthcare systems: ?

1. The Interactive Home Monitoring Program (IHM-COVID): To address the next potential surge in COVID patients, we have deployed an Interactive Home Monitoring Program that allows for COVID patients to receive extended care after their discharge from the hospital. This enables patients to rejoin their families, knowing that UVA Health teams continue to monitor and manage their recovery. Back in March 2020, we successfully implemented IHM-COVID by reimagining an existing program that was designed to reduce patient readmissions. IHM has helped thousands of patients to be discharged sooner with the support of healthcare providers and pharmacy intervention, as well as clinical escalation protocols. A team of Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants (APP) provide in-home monitoring care 7-days a week for COVID patients at no charge. The healthcare team addresses medical and pharmacy concerns, monitors vital signs, prescribes appropriate medications, and offers access to healthcare resources available throughout the community.
2. Earn While You Learn: In addition to preparing for a future surge, UVA Health is addressing operational issues, like shortages of nursing and other critical staff. To that end, we have embarked on a new program called Earn While You Learn, which provides on-the-job training for healthcare professionals. The program brings new talent into UVA Health, accelerating the training and certification for students. In addition to current students, the program is open to anyone with an interest and aptitude for working in healthcare. No experience is necessary, and no degree is required. This provides an on-ramp into rewarding healthcare careers, delivering training and fast-tracking for many candidates. The program also includes cross-training opportunities, for example a pre-med student might be amenable to learning how to be a phlebotomist while still in school. The overall objective is to fortify our healthcare staff and support teams, while speeding up the timeframe for acquiring skilled healthcare workers for the future.
3. Inventing Innovative New Care Models: Lastly, we are deconstructing traditional care models and reinventing what they look like, especially in the ED. To meet the needs of the COVID surge, we will deploy innovative new care models that feature robust and versatile healthcare teams. Rather than matching nursing staff with a specific number of patients in the ED, we are pairing ED nurses with Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics to achieve staffing flexibility and comprehensive patient oversight. This helps to minimize the impact of the nursing shortage by creating a team model that broadens the role of nurses and provides optimum patient care. This augments and enhances the strength of the nursing staff. It is also a timely solution, as EMT training can be completed in a matter of months. This streamlines our ability to assemble teams with critical and varied skills to better care for patients. ??

If there is a bright side to managing through a pandemic, it is that we are constantly adapting to change, and embracing new paradigm shifts in healthcare models. It forces us to think out of the box, and to question previous healthcare norms. The new strategies and protocols we develop will help us overcome resource shortages, while providing better, faster care to the patients who need it most.

I am honored to be a part of the UVA Health family, not only because of our teams’ dedication and commitment to the health and welfare of our community, but also because they continue to demonstrate a willingness to adjust to new circumstances with enthusiasm and grace. Our teams come to the table with new ideas, suggestions and innovations that have made us all stronger, safer, and more resilient. We have weathered many challenges together, and I’m proud that our UVA Health teams rise to meet and overcome those challenges every time.