THE TECTONIC ADVANTAGE
Introducing Chris Histed, a Key Choice for Helping your Ontario Health Team (OHT)
Background
Ontario is embarking on one of the biggest changes to its health care system in the last 50 years. The first change is related to the formation of a super agency that will integrate the Local Health Integration Networks. Cancer Care Ontario and the Trillium Gift of Life are two notable programs that will be absorbed under this new umbrella organization for the province. There will be a board and CEO who will have responsibility for all aspects of the Ontario healthcare system.
Secondly, there will be the creation of a new model of “Ontario health teams”. It is envisioned that 30-50 teams will be created across the province. The goal of these teams will be to focus on the integration of health care services around the patient/client in local communities. Unlike LHINs, which have the responsibility to oversee health service providers, these teams will be constituted of actual health care providers voluntarily coming together to combine their budgets and services to produce a more integrated care model.
Technology strategies will be key to ensure that information can be shared efficiently across the continuum of care and contribute to smooth patient flow in a timely manner throughout the system.
Key components of the integration process include:
- Analysis of demographic data to determine the needs within a particular patient population
- Operational analysis to determine gaps and any unnecessary duplication of services
- Establishment of the desired future state
- Definition of roles and responsibilities within the system to meet current and future needs. Ability to rebalance services within the system’s existing capacity
- Analysis of supporting community services and seniors facilities to determine the future mix of speciality beds (ALC, dementia, ABI etc.) to maximize independence and bend the curve for new builds. Determination of the state of physical plants and the ability to meet appropriate standards of care
- Ability to financially sustain the new model within the revised funding envelope
- Urban and rural considerations
The Tectonic Advantage
Tectonic has senior advisors that have first-hand experience with the regionalization of health organizations in different parts of the country and can assist with the strategies and processes to realign systems within newly formed boundaries. We’d like to introduce you to one of them, Chris Histed, presented below.
Beyond the rebalancing of operational components of the system, there is the Strategic and Tactical expertise to redesign the culture, funding and digital environment to optimize the flow of information and assist with smooth patient transitions through different parts of the system.
Chris Histed is a Senior Health Services Executive with extensive and diverse health services background with over 30 years of senior leadership experience. He has worked in both the public and private sectors with roles in Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. He holds a B.Sc. (Physiology) degree from McGill University and a M.H.Sc. (Health Administration) from the University of Toronto.
Over the course of his career, the blend of science and management backgrounds have always served him well with this combination producing a strategic approach to problem-solving with analytical attention to detail.
Chris brings 18 years of experience in regionalized public sector environments in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. This makes him well positioned to provide service to the Ontario Health Teams and Ontario Health.
He was on the Regina Health District’s senior management team when Saskatchewan launched the first provincial regionalization process in Canada. In BC, Chris spearheaded the plan for the rebalancing of the health care system within the, newly formed, Interior Health Authority’s North Okanagan catchment area. The implementation of the plan involved targeted hospital and long term care rationalizations; the introduction of new programming - including assisted living and community care; plus renovations/new builds in the long term care space. The execution of this plan contributed to an increase in the quality of care as well as approximately a 10% operational cost reduction. Chris has also worked in the private sector as the Executive Director of a prominent Calgary diagnostic imaging partnership. In addition, he has been engaged with two health-related, high profile, Calgary start-ups.
Notably, he most recently served as the Interim Director of Operations for a nurse practitioner telemedicine service provider and continues to provide consulting services for an organization seeking to collaboratively advance the healthcare agenda.
To date, his engagements have focused primarily on the areas of strategic planning, interim management, public/private partnerships and project management. His clients have included Wello, Vivametrica, Kailo Medical, Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, Alberta Health Services, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, All Nations Healing Hospital, SaskBuilds, Radiology Consultants Associated, Canada Diagnostic Centres and the Alberta Senior Citizens Housing Association.
In addition to his career, Chris has given back to his community in the following ways:
- Board Member, AltaPacs (I.T. Company)
- Board Member, Royal Inland Hospital Foundation
- Board Chair, VON Regina
- Board Chair, Mobile Crisis Services
- Chair, Canadian College of Health Leaders, Assinaboia Chapter
For more information on Chris Histed or to hire him for your OHT or other projects, contact us at [email protected] or visit us at www.tectoniconline.com and follow us on twitter @tectoniconline
For a full list of our consultants and their subject matter expertise, please contact us at [email protected]