Care management model drives down costs
US medical center calls on Accenture to boost efficiency across facilities.
US medical center calls on Accenture to boost efficiency across facilities.
This major healthcare center in the western United States operates hospitals, clinics and a highly respected medical school. Financial pressures stemming from commitments to the school, along with capital pressures and health-reform initiatives, amplified the need for efficiency. Members of the executive team requested swift implementation of an improved model for care management across the organization’s portfolio of facilities.
Opportunity
While earlier efforts to reduce cost through improved care coordination had fallen short, streamlined care management remained a strategic priority. Previously, the client had lacked the right mix of resources to work through an objective redesign across hospitals, clinics and departments. In 2016, the client wanted to implement a superior operating model before opening a new facility. Having helped the client with prior strategic, operational and financial improvement initiatives, Accenture agreed to assist in designing, and beginning to implement, a strategic model for care management.
Solution
The project team focused on ways to improve outcomes in five areas:
Along with the design of an overarching model for care management, Accenture organized quick wins for each area. Additional benefits included:
Establishment of a new management structure.
Project Management Office (PMO) work that included the establishment of communications, performance management and monitoring tools.
Transitioning the project to internal leaders, along with solutions for ongoing management and benefits tracking.
The value of successfully implementing the new model across facilities over two years is expected to exceed $25 million. Quick-win projects have already yielded cash-flow relief of up to $2.1 million.
Progress is tracked with key performance indicators on management dashboards:
A new strategic operating model for care management—including improved processes and automated tools—is helping this medical center control rising costs while delivering high-quality treatment for patients.