- Missouri: Ascension has named Joseph Cacchione president of its provider organization, Ascension Medical Group. In the newly created position, Cacchione will lead a network of 6,500 employed providers in 16 states. Cacchione most recently served as chair of operations and strategy for the Cleveland Clinic's Heart and Vascular Institute, and prior to that, he served as executive VP and chief of quality and operations at Saint Vincent Health System (Castellucci, Modern Healthcare, 2/28).
- Virginia: Inova Health System is investing in a new, multimillion-dollar Center for Personalized Health as part of its greater focus on precision medicine, FierceHealthcare reports. The center, which is currently under construction, will use data from the system's EHR, as well as patient-generated information, social factors, and genomics to inform an individualized approach to care. The center will offer genomic testing and consultations, and it will house a new cancer facility (Sweeny, FierceHealthcare, 2/28; Bacon, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2/25).
- Wisconsin: To facilitate healthy eating choices, the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics overhauled its cafeteria offerings by providing new, lower-cost healthy dishes that are sourced from local, sustainable farms—all without losing money. According to system officials, the "52 Weeks of Wellness: Here's to a Healthier You" initiative has avoided financial losses by boosting the overall amount of food sold, particularly its healthy options. The culinary team is now focused on incorporating seasonal food by spotlighting a local fruit or vegetable each month of 2017 (Stohs, Journal Sentinel, 3/1).
Improve patient experience with a waiting room care card
It’s tough to balance provider productivity and patient-centeredness, and the waiting room is one frequently overlooked opportunity to find equilibrium. By explaining what to expect during procedures, you can neutralize a major source of family anxiety and questions.
We've made it easy. Use our template to create a "waiting room care card" that addresses key family questions. Just drop in your logo and add your institution’s protocols. Save, print, and start improving your waiting room experience.