1
00:00:00,235 --> 00:00:02,205
- Prepare to dive into the forefront

2
00:00:02,225 --> 00:00:05,525
of healthcare innovation at
our 14th annual meeting coming

3
00:00:05,545 --> 00:00:06,645
up on April 8th

4
00:00:06,645 --> 00:00:10,765
through 11th at the Hyatt Regency
in Chicago, with thousands

5
00:00:10,765 --> 00:00:13,965
of industry leaders converging
over four dynamic days

6
00:00:13,985 --> 00:00:16,805
of discussions on crucial
topics from health IT

7
00:00:17,185 --> 00:00:18,685
to executive leadership.

8
00:00:18,995 --> 00:00:21,325
It's where the future of
healthcare takes shape.

9
00:00:21,865 --> 00:00:24,085
We can't wait to connect
with you in person

10
00:00:24,305 --> 00:00:26,725
and engage in these
important conversations.

11
00:00:27,755 --> 00:00:30,245
- This is Laura Dedo with the
Becker's Healthcare Podcast.

12
00:00:30,905 --> 00:00:33,005
I'm thrilled today to be
joined by Michelle Stansbury,

13
00:00:33,195 --> 00:00:34,405
vice President of Innovation

14
00:00:34,405 --> 00:00:36,605
and IT applications at Houston Methodist.

15
00:00:37,165 --> 00:00:39,045
Michelle, it's a pleasure to
have you on the podcast today.

16
00:00:40,155 --> 00:00:41,925
- Well, thank you very
much for having me, Laura.

17
00:00:43,305 --> 00:00:44,845
- Now I'm excited to have you back.

18
00:00:44,925 --> 00:00:46,965
I know you've been on
the podcast a few times

19
00:00:47,025 --> 00:00:48,965
and speak with us
regularly, which is great.

20
00:00:49,105 --> 00:00:51,285
Um, you're so innovative
at Houston Methodist

21
00:00:51,285 --> 00:00:53,725
and it's really cool to see
the projects you're working on.

22
00:00:53,825 --> 00:00:57,245
But for anybody that you know
is just joining the pod, uh,

23
00:00:57,405 --> 00:00:59,405
Becker's Healthcare
podcast is just subscribed.

24
00:00:59,425 --> 00:01:00,565
Can you tell us a little bit more

25
00:01:00,565 --> 00:01:01,805
about yourself and your background?

26
00:01:03,025 --> 00:01:07,555
- Sure. Well, um, as again, you
introduced overall my title,

27
00:01:07,735 --> 00:01:11,115
but I have been with Houston
Methodist for 31 years now.

28
00:01:11,535 --> 00:01:13,315
Um, I've had the complete joy

29
00:01:13,335 --> 00:01:15,955
and honor of being able to
serve at this institution

30
00:01:16,055 --> 00:01:18,915
and see the overall growth of, um, how,

31
00:01:18,915 --> 00:01:21,035
what we have done in those 31 years.

32
00:01:21,885 --> 00:01:25,355
Right now, my role is really
focused in two main areas.

33
00:01:25,695 --> 00:01:28,035
My traditional role, which
is the vice president

34
00:01:28,035 --> 00:01:30,035
and IT over all of our applications

35
00:01:30,105 --> 00:01:31,795
that support Houston Methodist,

36
00:01:31,795 --> 00:01:35,835
but also, um, I am the vice
president of our Center

37
00:01:35,895 --> 00:01:37,835
for Innovation and work very, very closely

38
00:01:37,865 --> 00:01:40,755
with our chief innovation
officer, which is, um, Dr.

39
00:01:40,825 --> 00:01:43,595
Roberta Schwartz. So we all kind

40
00:01:43,595 --> 00:01:46,035
of hold these dual roles
in the, in our organization

41
00:01:46,135 --> 00:01:48,875
and it has served us extremely well.

42
00:01:49,455 --> 00:01:51,955
Um, one and I will just
speak kind of overall

43
00:01:52,055 --> 00:01:53,675
to Roberta's role.

44
00:01:53,895 --> 00:01:55,995
Not only is she our
chief innovation officer,

45
00:01:56,215 --> 00:01:59,075
but she is the executive vice president

46
00:01:59,075 --> 00:02:01,435
and CEO of our largest, um,

47
00:02:01,915 --> 00:02:04,155
hospital within overall our system.

48
00:02:04,695 --> 00:02:08,475
Um, which serves her well in
that aspect of being able to,

49
00:02:08,615 --> 00:02:10,155
you know, create sort of innovation

50
00:02:10,215 --> 00:02:11,795
and then be able to roll it out,

51
00:02:11,975 --> 00:02:16,075
but then working very closely
with me that on the IT aspect,

52
00:02:16,175 --> 00:02:18,115
so she and I are able to bring IT

53
00:02:18,295 --> 00:02:22,515
and operations together to
work, um, very quickly on a lot

54
00:02:22,515 --> 00:02:23,875
of these innovation initiatives.

55
00:02:27,215 --> 00:02:28,755
- That's great to hear. And you know,

56
00:02:28,755 --> 00:02:30,275
certainly your model is unique

57
00:02:30,455 --> 00:02:32,835
and impressive to see what
you've been able to do,

58
00:02:33,015 --> 00:02:35,755
how nimble, um, you know,
Houston Methodist is

59
00:02:35,755 --> 00:02:37,395
because of, of the way you operate

60
00:02:37,395 --> 00:02:38,715
and how you have those dual roles.

61
00:02:38,895 --> 00:02:41,115
So, um, it's always
fascinating to think about.

62
00:02:41,455 --> 00:02:43,235
Now, I'm wondering right now,

63
00:02:43,305 --> 00:02:44,955
what are you working on
at Houston Methodist?

64
00:02:45,095 --> 00:02:47,555
What's, uh, you know,
your focus in top of mind?

65
00:02:48,785 --> 00:02:51,555
- Sure. Well, there's really
kind of three main areas

66
00:02:51,585 --> 00:02:54,315
that we are focused on in the organization

67
00:02:54,495 --> 00:02:57,515
and lots of different
initiatives within each

68
00:02:57,515 --> 00:02:59,075
of these three areas.

69
00:02:59,385 --> 00:03:01,285
And one is really on our patients

70
00:03:01,905 --> 00:03:05,685
and it is, you know, to really look at

71
00:03:06,065 --> 00:03:07,725
how can we make sure that

72
00:03:08,345 --> 00:03:11,205
the journey our patients
take within our organization,

73
00:03:11,235 --> 00:03:12,725
whether it be through a clinic,

74
00:03:13,075 --> 00:03:17,605
through inpatient outpatient
services, even on the backend,

75
00:03:18,035 --> 00:03:19,605
that they are getting the type

76
00:03:19,605 --> 00:03:21,605
of service in the way that they want to.

77
00:03:21,945 --> 00:03:25,005
And that is completely
different for many individuals.

78
00:03:25,185 --> 00:03:27,525
One would prefer it mostly
in a digital perspective,

79
00:03:27,715 --> 00:03:30,005
some prefer it still just
the calling in on the phone.

80
00:03:30,625 --> 00:03:35,565
Um, but also two of how
can we make sure that

81
00:03:36,355 --> 00:03:37,965
that journey is as seamless

82
00:03:38,705 --> 00:03:41,725
and providing that great
service that they have come

83
00:03:41,725 --> 00:03:43,805
to expect overall from our organization.

84
00:03:44,425 --> 00:03:46,805
The other is how are we creating those

85
00:03:46,805 --> 00:03:48,605
efficiencies for our clinicians?

86
00:03:48,945 --> 00:03:52,045
And when I talk about our
clinicians, it's our physicians,

87
00:03:52,665 --> 00:03:54,725
our nurses, our staff,

88
00:03:55,425 --> 00:03:58,165
and um, making sure
that they're able to do

89
00:03:58,165 --> 00:03:59,285
what they do best

90
00:04:00,115 --> 00:04:02,965
with in working overall
within this digital world.

91
00:04:02,965 --> 00:04:06,325
Right now, everyone has heard
about all of the burnout that

92
00:04:06,325 --> 00:04:08,165
of course the physicians and nurses

93
00:04:08,265 --> 00:04:11,445
and so forth are having to
deal with, with working overall

94
00:04:11,445 --> 00:04:15,085
with the EMR, but how can we
make that that journey, um,

95
00:04:15,315 --> 00:04:18,165
that they're having to do
with working in this, um,

96
00:04:18,375 --> 00:04:20,245
electronic world better

97
00:04:20,705 --> 00:04:23,045
and get them back to
doing what they do best,

98
00:04:23,415 --> 00:04:25,245
which is taking care of our patients

99
00:04:25,505 --> 00:04:26,725
and that's what they were trained for.

100
00:04:27,705 --> 00:04:29,525
The third one is really gets down

101
00:04:29,525 --> 00:04:31,005
to operational efficiencies.

102
00:04:31,505 --> 00:04:35,365
And what I mean by that is
we're all financially challenged

103
00:04:35,385 --> 00:04:38,445
and will just continue
to become so, you know,

104
00:04:38,585 --> 00:04:40,045
in many organizations.

105
00:04:40,265 --> 00:04:44,685
And so what digital technologies
can we bring into place

106
00:04:44,685 --> 00:04:47,565
that will be able to help the
institutional become really

107
00:04:47,565 --> 00:04:50,445
more efficient in our operations, um,

108
00:04:50,585 --> 00:04:53,045
to help become more
financially responsible?

109
00:04:53,465 --> 00:04:55,765
So that's kind of the big three main areas

110
00:04:55,915 --> 00:04:57,085
that we focus in on,

111
00:04:57,105 --> 00:04:59,765
but it's, you know, kind of
looking at overall within

112
00:05:00,625 --> 00:05:01,685
the aspect.

113
00:05:01,685 --> 00:05:04,525
And I, I want to talk a little
bit about when I talk to,

114
00:05:04,745 --> 00:05:06,205
you know, to say about our model

115
00:05:06,205 --> 00:05:08,765
and how we can scale
quickly in our organization.

116
00:05:09,605 --> 00:05:11,325
I mean, um, I'll give you a couple

117
00:05:11,325 --> 00:05:12,685
of examples overall there.

118
00:05:13,145 --> 00:05:15,485
One is really on our virtual initiatives

119
00:05:15,625 --> 00:05:18,525
and I know many people have
heard about our virtual ICU,

120
00:05:18,665 --> 00:05:22,965
but it's, it's, it's really the um,

121
00:05:24,045 --> 00:05:26,205
emphasis that helped us to
be able to scale quickly

122
00:05:26,395 --> 00:05:30,325
because we created this virtual
operations command center

123
00:05:30,795 --> 00:05:32,485
that is staffed by clinicians.

124
00:05:32,945 --> 00:05:34,525
So once you have that in place

125
00:05:34,625 --> 00:05:37,005
and which is what we
created at over forwards,

126
00:05:37,005 --> 00:05:38,085
our virtual ICU,

127
00:05:38,085 --> 00:05:42,085
which has been tremendously
value added to our organization.

128
00:05:42,785 --> 00:05:45,085
But now that we had that,
we were able to be able

129
00:05:45,085 --> 00:05:47,525
to do many other things
from a virtual perspective.

130
00:05:48,185 --> 00:05:49,965
One was our virtual nursing program.

131
00:05:50,705 --> 00:05:53,005
Um, and not only with that

132
00:05:53,145 --> 00:05:56,445
but our virtual, um, our
telestroke, tele neuro

133
00:05:56,965 --> 00:06:00,325
telepharmacy being able
to do virtual consults.

134
00:06:00,665 --> 00:06:05,645
But the other piece was on
we, we utilized one technology

135
00:06:05,705 --> 00:06:07,005
for our virtual ICU,

136
00:06:07,985 --> 00:06:10,485
but as we're moving towards
in our OR organization

137
00:06:10,505 --> 00:06:15,005
and understanding the multiple
use cases from a virtual

138
00:06:15,005 --> 00:06:18,445
perspective, we've been working
with overall an organization

139
00:06:18,505 --> 00:06:20,325
to be able to put cameras

140
00:06:20,665 --> 00:06:24,365
and audio technology in every
one of our patient rooms.

141
00:06:24,985 --> 00:06:27,045
And we're doing that so that

142
00:06:27,585 --> 00:06:29,645
we can expand all of
these other use cases.

143
00:06:30,225 --> 00:06:34,685
So late last year we sort
of went into a pilot mode

144
00:06:34,685 --> 00:06:37,125
of working with this
vendor, saw the potential,

145
00:06:37,625 --> 00:06:39,445
and now it's about expanding.

146
00:06:39,545 --> 00:06:42,005
So within summer, probably June

147
00:06:42,005 --> 00:06:45,365
and July, we will have
expanded across 2,600 rooms

148
00:06:45,505 --> 00:06:48,605
of being able to have this
camera technology integrated

149
00:06:48,605 --> 00:06:50,125
with the TV so

150
00:06:50,125 --> 00:06:54,285
that our virtual command center
can now have conversations

151
00:06:54,285 --> 00:06:56,485
overall from a virtual
nursing perspective.

152
00:06:57,105 --> 00:07:01,285
We can do virtual consults, we
can have overall, um, virtual

153
00:07:01,885 --> 00:07:04,165
pharmacy services, anything that needs

154
00:07:04,165 --> 00:07:05,685
to be done overall with these cameras.

155
00:07:06,135 --> 00:07:07,965
We're also working to put these same kind

156
00:07:07,965 --> 00:07:10,765
of camera technologies
within overall in our eds.

157
00:07:11,345 --> 00:07:12,845
So that's kind of one area

158
00:07:12,875 --> 00:07:15,765
that we are really just
overall just expanding

159
00:07:15,945 --> 00:07:18,845
and quickly rolling it out
across our institution.

160
00:07:19,425 --> 00:07:24,325
The other is within using
um, biomedical devices

161
00:07:25,105 --> 00:07:27,685
and there's an organization
that we're working

162
00:07:27,755 --> 00:07:30,925
with right now that has um, a device

163
00:07:31,355 --> 00:07:33,325
that captures vital, vital signs.

164
00:07:33,345 --> 00:07:35,565
And that device is probably about the size

165
00:07:35,565 --> 00:07:39,365
of a silver dollar that you can
place on a patient when they

166
00:07:39,365 --> 00:07:41,125
come over all into our institution.

167
00:07:42,415 --> 00:07:44,835
It captures vital signs
information as I said,

168
00:07:44,835 --> 00:07:47,195
that quickly goes over
all with into the EMR,

169
00:07:47,255 --> 00:07:49,995
but also has alert watch capabilities

170
00:07:50,505 --> 00:07:53,315
that our virtual command
center is monitoring as well

171
00:07:53,735 --> 00:07:55,075
to be able to help predict

172
00:07:55,135 --> 00:07:56,475
or look to where there's um,

173
00:07:56,475 --> 00:07:58,595
potential decline
overall within a patient.

174
00:07:59,055 --> 00:08:01,475
And I will see, we've
seen like three instances

175
00:08:02,085 --> 00:08:06,355
where these devices, uh,
being able to watch um,

176
00:08:06,465 --> 00:08:09,755
overall within our operations
command center have detected

177
00:08:09,775 --> 00:08:13,275
things from our patients that
weren't detected on the floor.

178
00:08:13,655 --> 00:08:16,235
And it's not to say that um,

179
00:08:17,035 --> 00:08:18,515
anything was being done
wrong on the floor,

180
00:08:18,515 --> 00:08:20,555
it was just they were
able to detect it earlier,

181
00:08:21,255 --> 00:08:24,315
notify the nursing staff, which
they were able to go in then

182
00:08:24,315 --> 00:08:25,835
and be able to take, um,

183
00:08:26,015 --> 00:08:27,875
action on overall what was happening.

184
00:08:28,415 --> 00:08:32,555
So we've expanded that across
very quickly since we saw

185
00:08:33,145 --> 00:08:36,035
such value add overall in
utilizing these devices.

186
00:08:36,175 --> 00:08:38,715
And so now it's being used
across our organization

187
00:08:39,135 --> 00:08:41,595
and overall within our patient care unit.

188
00:08:42,095 --> 00:08:45,875
But again, also for those
patients coming into our ED

189
00:08:46,625 --> 00:08:47,635
that um,

190
00:08:48,175 --> 00:08:50,035
or look to be admitted,

191
00:08:50,295 --> 00:08:52,835
we are also using these
devices on them as well.

192
00:08:53,445 --> 00:08:54,795
We've also been able, because,

193
00:08:55,025 --> 00:08:58,845
and this is where I get into
really of clinical efficiency

194
00:08:58,905 --> 00:09:02,605
and operational efficiency,
most organizations

195
00:09:02,635 --> 00:09:05,525
that are still taking vitals
are doing it from a Q4

196
00:09:05,525 --> 00:09:09,165
perspective because these devices are, um,

197
00:09:09,295 --> 00:09:10,645
monitoring constantly.

198
00:09:11,375 --> 00:09:15,645
We've been been able to reduce
those Q4 vitals down to Q six

199
00:09:15,665 --> 00:09:16,965
and sometimes Q eight.

200
00:09:17,665 --> 00:09:19,325
So, um, really being able

201
00:09:19,325 --> 00:09:22,005
to help overall from a patient
perspective if you think

202
00:09:22,005 --> 00:09:24,285
about patients that, you
know, trying to rest at night

203
00:09:24,665 --> 00:09:27,005
and also from the nursing
perspective of having to get

204
00:09:27,005 --> 00:09:28,685
around and be able to
take all of those vitals.

205
00:09:29,105 --> 00:09:31,165
Um, so that's kind of another area.

206
00:09:31,595 --> 00:09:35,645
Another big area is really
overall kind of in the AI space.

207
00:09:35,865 --> 00:09:39,725
And I will tell you, I
know AI is really that, um,

208
00:09:40,635 --> 00:09:43,405
what I say is kind of the
next frontier that everyone's

209
00:09:43,405 --> 00:09:45,805
so excited about and
such great opportunities.

210
00:09:46,215 --> 00:09:48,885
We've been able to see
some unique opportunities

211
00:09:49,195 --> 00:09:51,525
with not only creating those efficiencies

212
00:09:51,545 --> 00:09:53,765
by using the technology within our ORs,

213
00:09:54,265 --> 00:09:56,805
but also being able to
use it through vendors

214
00:09:56,985 --> 00:09:58,805
who are using our data.

215
00:09:59,385 --> 00:10:03,405
And it's our data to
overall compare, create sort

216
00:10:03,405 --> 00:10:04,645
of this digital twin and,

217
00:10:04,825 --> 00:10:09,565
and compare it to multiple years
of Medicare data to be able

218
00:10:09,565 --> 00:10:11,445
to help predict overall

219
00:10:12,075 --> 00:10:16,805
what is a potential necessary
need for patients coming back

220
00:10:16,985 --> 00:10:18,245
or could be readmitted.

221
00:10:19,025 --> 00:10:21,325
Um, so to tell you whether

222
00:10:21,325 --> 00:10:23,285
or not you should be able to, you need

223
00:10:23,285 --> 00:10:25,365
to see this patient in seven days.

224
00:10:25,805 --> 00:10:28,325
'cause typically you have
people or patients coming back,

225
00:10:28,345 --> 00:10:30,285
you tell them, I need
to see you in 14 days.

226
00:10:30,675 --> 00:10:33,885
This is now better able to
predict by patient to say, Nope,

227
00:10:34,005 --> 00:10:35,605
I need to see you within seven days,

228
00:10:36,065 --> 00:10:39,245
but based on what we're seeing,
I could see you in 21 days.

229
00:10:39,625 --> 00:10:41,965
So it's really targeting
more towards the patient

230
00:10:42,065 --> 00:10:45,285
and not just a general
sense of overall in 14.

231
00:10:45,825 --> 00:10:47,485
And then another vendor that we're working

232
00:10:47,485 --> 00:10:50,685
with is helping us overall with um,

233
00:10:51,465 --> 00:10:54,725
having our clinicians be
able to better predict

234
00:10:55,255 --> 00:10:57,805
where it is from a length
of stay perspective,

235
00:10:57,875 --> 00:11:00,765
what is preventing us from
getting patients discharged.

236
00:11:01,105 --> 00:11:03,485
It will over all real time take our data

237
00:11:03,625 --> 00:11:07,085
and say as monitoring to
be able to say, here's

238
00:11:07,085 --> 00:11:10,005
what is lacking that
needs to be done in order

239
00:11:10,025 --> 00:11:11,725
for these patients to be discharged.

240
00:11:12,185 --> 00:11:14,805
So getting the right
information at the right time

241
00:11:15,745 --> 00:11:17,925
to be able to help with operational flow

242
00:11:18,065 --> 00:11:19,445
within our organization.

243
00:11:20,025 --> 00:11:22,765
And I mean, you know, those
are just kind of a few things

244
00:11:23,085 --> 00:11:24,525
that we're working on, um,

245
00:11:24,525 --> 00:11:27,125
that have helped us overall
expand in the organization,

246
00:11:27,225 --> 00:11:30,085
but many other areas that
we're looking at, um,

247
00:11:30,585 --> 00:11:34,445
how we can use the technology
to in our organization, kind

248
00:11:34,445 --> 00:11:36,165
of those three key areas
that I talked about.

249
00:11:38,615 --> 00:11:39,915
- That's amazing to hear. And you know,

250
00:11:39,915 --> 00:11:42,795
certainly I appreciate you going into all

251
00:11:42,795 --> 00:11:46,475
of those three areas and, um,
explaining, you know, what is

252
00:11:46,475 --> 00:11:48,755
so crucial about them because
as you mentioned, you know,

253
00:11:49,095 --> 00:11:50,515
um, having the technology

254
00:11:50,585 --> 00:11:53,165
that can support becoming
more eff efficient and

255
00:11:53,185 --> 00:11:55,805
and cost effective can
make such a big difference

256
00:11:55,865 --> 00:11:57,605
for the institution overall.

257
00:11:57,785 --> 00:12:01,085
And you know, I I think is so
cool what you're talking about

258
00:12:01,085 --> 00:12:03,085
with the virtual pharmacy services

259
00:12:03,145 --> 00:12:05,485
and some of the other
areas where, you know, um,

260
00:12:06,445 --> 00:12:08,205
bringing in additional
opportunities and access points

261
00:12:08,205 --> 00:12:11,485
to patients so that they
can continue to receive care

262
00:12:11,705 --> 00:12:14,125
and just make it easier for
that patient journey overall.

263
00:12:15,875 --> 00:12:18,165
- Well, and that's kind of
the ultimate goal for us.

264
00:12:18,405 --> 00:12:22,285
I know a lot of organizations,
um, up north kind

265
00:12:22,285 --> 00:12:23,605
of in the east have really had

266
00:12:23,605 --> 00:12:27,965
to focus in on value-based care
and remote services at home.

267
00:12:28,865 --> 00:12:30,565
Um, you know, in

268
00:12:30,565 --> 00:12:33,365
that aspect we're very
fortunate in the state of Texas.

269
00:12:33,635 --> 00:12:36,365
It's, you know, the, we're
still kind of a big fee

270
00:12:36,365 --> 00:12:37,445
for service state,

271
00:12:37,745 --> 00:12:41,685
but we want to learn from
technology on how that we can, um,

272
00:12:41,915 --> 00:12:43,485
utilize those virtual services

273
00:12:43,485 --> 00:12:44,965
overall within our operations.

274
00:12:45,425 --> 00:12:47,965
Um, one to create the efficiencies

275
00:12:48,075 --> 00:12:51,445
that overall we're looking for,
you know, for our clinicians

276
00:12:51,445 --> 00:12:55,685
and our patients, but learning
from that technology as well

277
00:12:55,985 --> 00:12:59,165
so that we can begin to
expand when it makes sense

278
00:12:59,185 --> 00:13:01,325
for our organization for those

279
00:13:01,845 --> 00:13:03,765
external virtual type services.

280
00:13:04,265 --> 00:13:06,925
And that's what we've had
this other unique opportunity

281
00:13:06,925 --> 00:13:09,325
where I think is, you
know, some people had

282
00:13:09,325 --> 00:13:12,205
to really focus on how
do you do it externally

283
00:13:12,225 --> 00:13:13,925
before you could learn it internally.

284
00:13:14,575 --> 00:13:16,725
We've had the fortunate
to be able to say, Nope,

285
00:13:16,725 --> 00:13:19,685
we're learning all how to
utilize this technology first,

286
00:13:20,225 --> 00:13:21,765
you know, internal to our operations

287
00:13:21,825 --> 00:13:26,205
and gain those efficiencies,
um, while still now learning on

288
00:13:26,325 --> 00:13:30,645
how that we could begin to
explore utilizing those services

289
00:13:30,905 --> 00:13:33,445
for external, um, opportunities as well.

290
00:13:35,915 --> 00:13:37,215
- That's amazing to hear and

291
00:13:37,235 --> 00:13:39,855
and really cool to, to
think about now from your

292
00:13:39,855 --> 00:13:41,255
perspective, what are the technologies

293
00:13:41,355 --> 00:13:43,055
and concepts that you're wasting towards

294
00:13:43,075 --> 00:13:44,455
and what are you pivoting away from?

295
00:13:46,185 --> 00:13:48,555
- Well, I, uh, it is
an interesting question

296
00:13:48,735 --> 00:13:50,435
and, um, I think it is something

297
00:13:50,435 --> 00:13:51,795
most everyone is looking at.

298
00:13:51,935 --> 00:13:54,315
And I kind of talked about
those items that we're,

299
00:13:54,485 --> 00:13:56,395
we're racing towards right now.

300
00:13:56,815 --> 00:13:59,035
And it, it, it's, this is a year

301
00:13:59,035 --> 00:14:01,315
that we're calling expansion overall in

302
00:14:01,315 --> 00:14:02,435
our, in our organization.

303
00:14:02,445 --> 00:14:05,235
We've got so many new
technologies, technologies that

304
00:14:05,745 --> 00:14:06,875
have worked for us

305
00:14:06,895 --> 00:14:08,595
and I kind of talked a
little bit about those.

306
00:14:09,175 --> 00:14:10,475
And so our goal is

307
00:14:10,475 --> 00:14:12,795
to get those expanded
across our organization

308
00:14:12,815 --> 00:14:14,075
as quickly as possible.

309
00:14:14,415 --> 00:14:17,115
We also have our new
hospital, um, our hospital

310
00:14:17,115 --> 00:14:20,075
of the future that is
gonna be opening up in 2025

311
00:14:20,255 --> 00:14:21,915
and that will be here before we know it.

312
00:14:22,415 --> 00:14:26,675
So while we have planned, um, overall

313
00:14:26,815 --> 00:14:28,275
for those new technologies,

314
00:14:28,725 --> 00:14:31,315
we're utilizing them in
our current facility.

315
00:14:31,495 --> 00:14:33,795
So of course when that
facility does open up,

316
00:14:33,815 --> 00:14:35,355
it is not net new,

317
00:14:35,695 --> 00:14:38,355
but it will have all
of the new technologies

318
00:14:38,355 --> 00:14:40,835
that we've been, you know,
kind of using throughout,

319
00:14:40,835 --> 00:14:42,595
scattered throughout our organization.

320
00:14:43,015 --> 00:14:45,075
So we've got that big piece.

321
00:14:45,215 --> 00:14:47,835
So really this was the
year of expansion for us.

322
00:14:48,155 --> 00:14:52,965
I will be honest, we're not, um, out um,

323
00:14:53,355 --> 00:14:55,605
sort of exploring every new opportunity

324
00:14:55,925 --> 00:14:57,805
'cause we have a lot
on our plate right now,

325
00:14:57,865 --> 00:15:00,805
but we are keeping our eyes
open for anything, you know,

326
00:15:00,805 --> 00:15:02,605
that is potentially new and exciting.

327
00:15:03,125 --> 00:15:06,405
I would say AI as a big, um, opportunity.

328
00:15:06,405 --> 00:15:09,165
And when you talk about
ai, there's kind of two,

329
00:15:09,545 --> 00:15:11,325
two concepts to think about.

330
00:15:12,145 --> 00:15:16,405
AI was built in overall from
a vendor's product, which many

331
00:15:16,405 --> 00:15:17,885
of those we're using today.

332
00:15:18,345 --> 00:15:21,205
And the other is generative
ai. How are you using it?

333
00:15:21,345 --> 00:15:23,165
You know, such as a chat GPT

334
00:15:23,165 --> 00:15:26,365
or Bard of those kind
of concepts, you know,

335
00:15:26,365 --> 00:15:27,965
that you build yourself.

336
00:15:28,665 --> 00:15:30,565
And we're, we're looking at both of them.

337
00:15:31,005 --> 00:15:33,605
I mean, we are beginning
to explore the opportunity,

338
00:15:33,605 --> 00:15:36,125
which I know that some
groups are right now today,

339
00:15:36,215 --> 00:15:40,085
which is creating our own cat, GPT

340
00:15:40,085 --> 00:15:42,125
or bared type environment
with our own data.

341
00:15:42,485 --> 00:15:43,565
'cause we can trust our data.

342
00:15:43,565 --> 00:15:46,005
That's the big piece that I
think many organizations are

343
00:15:46,005 --> 00:15:49,245
struggling with is how do
you trust the data right,

344
00:15:49,245 --> 00:15:51,445
that is being created
on some of these items.

345
00:15:52,965 --> 00:15:56,105
So, you know, it's just
conceptually we're looking at

346
00:15:56,105 --> 00:16:00,825
that right now, um, wanting
to explore use cases prior

347
00:16:00,825 --> 00:16:03,505
to it being open up from
a clinical perspective.

348
00:16:03,525 --> 00:16:05,025
And that's what I would say, you know,

349
00:16:05,025 --> 00:16:08,065
we're looking at are there
things we can do in the backend

350
00:16:08,065 --> 00:16:10,785
from a revenue cycle
to learn from it prior

351
00:16:10,785 --> 00:16:12,105
to us opening it up.

352
00:16:12,605 --> 00:16:15,225
So, you know, kind of racing
forward, here's what I'd tell,

353
00:16:15,385 --> 00:16:17,025
I think every organization,

354
00:16:17,165 --> 00:16:19,705
and I can't tell you how many
conferences I go to today

355
00:16:19,705 --> 00:16:21,305
that everybody wants to talk about ai.

356
00:16:22,285 --> 00:16:23,985
So I, I think that's going to be,

357
00:16:24,545 --> 00:16:27,025
I think 2024 is gonna be the year of ai.

358
00:16:27,345 --> 00:16:31,065
I really do. Um, things
we're pivoting away from.

359
00:16:31,485 --> 00:16:34,185
Um, I, I, I can't, I don't know

360
00:16:34,185 --> 00:16:35,985
that there's things
we're pivoting away from.

361
00:16:36,185 --> 00:16:38,585
I think we're being very
cautious on some of the new items

362
00:16:38,585 --> 00:16:40,785
that we're looking at
because one of the things

363
00:16:40,785 --> 00:16:43,745
that's very important for
Houston Methodist on any

364
00:16:43,745 --> 00:16:46,785
of these new technologies
that we look at is that it has

365
00:16:46,785 --> 00:16:49,625
to have a solid ROI has to it.

366
00:16:49,725 --> 00:16:52,385
You know, we don't just
bring in technologies just

367
00:16:52,385 --> 00:16:53,785
because they look good

368
00:16:54,445 --> 00:16:57,105
or wow isn't, that has
the cool factor to it,

369
00:16:57,445 --> 00:16:59,345
but what problem is it solving for

370
00:16:59,565 --> 00:17:04,025
and what type of ROI,
um, so I would say, well,

371
00:17:04,045 --> 00:17:07,465
and one last piece Laura
would probably be what it,

372
00:17:07,565 --> 00:17:08,745
how much, um,

373
00:17:08,745 --> 00:17:12,905
because cyber is such
another issue going on today,

374
00:17:12,925 --> 00:17:15,265
and especially with what
happened overall with the recent,

375
00:17:15,565 --> 00:17:18,465
um, with change healthcare, every vendor

376
00:17:18,465 --> 00:17:22,185
that we're looking at, we
really have to evaluate them on

377
00:17:22,185 --> 00:17:24,625
what type of security have
they built into their system.

378
00:17:25,485 --> 00:17:27,805
Is it fairly close to

379
00:17:27,805 --> 00:17:30,085
what we would have our expectations to?

380
00:17:30,305 --> 00:17:32,285
If so, maybe we work with them

381
00:17:32,385 --> 00:17:34,845
to really get it built out
from the security standards we

382
00:17:34,845 --> 00:17:37,845
need, or if they haven't
even thought about it,

383
00:17:38,425 --> 00:17:41,205
it may be something we
will not even consider

384
00:17:41,695 --> 00:17:43,085
until later on that they do.

385
00:17:43,585 --> 00:17:46,165
So I don't know, it's kind
of to be able to say things

386
00:17:46,165 --> 00:17:47,885
that we're pivoting away from other than

387
00:17:47,885 --> 00:17:50,085
what we're keeping an
eye on in those aspects.

388
00:17:50,625 --> 00:17:53,325
Um, I do know in, you know,
we've looked at a couple

389
00:17:53,345 --> 00:17:55,085
of vendors here recently

390
00:17:55,115 --> 00:17:57,925
that we just could not put a solid ROI on.

391
00:17:58,305 --> 00:18:01,605
We really liked the technology,
but the return wasn't there.

392
00:18:01,865 --> 00:18:03,965
And so that's sort of probably the things

393
00:18:03,965 --> 00:18:06,245
that I would say most that we're
kind of pivoting away from,

394
00:18:06,905 --> 00:18:08,165
not overall in general.

395
00:18:09,675 --> 00:18:11,055
- That's fascinating to hear it

396
00:18:11,055 --> 00:18:13,455
and just really helpful to
think through your strategy

397
00:18:13,515 --> 00:18:16,495
and how you really approach,
um, what technology

398
00:18:16,495 --> 00:18:18,775
and digital health and
transformation looks like for you.

399
00:18:19,285 --> 00:18:22,335
Looking ahead, how do you see
healthcare delivery changing

400
00:18:22,355 --> 00:18:23,575
in the next five years or so?

401
00:18:23,575 --> 00:18:25,855
What do you see as continuing
to elevate and rise

402
00:18:25,995 --> 00:18:27,295
and how will things change?

403
00:18:28,925 --> 00:18:31,215
- Well, I have to tell
you, I love every the,

404
00:18:31,325 --> 00:18:32,455
when everyone asked me,

405
00:18:32,455 --> 00:18:34,015
what do you think five years from now,

406
00:18:34,455 --> 00:18:37,135
probably 10 years ago, I think
it was easier for anyone,

407
00:18:37,265 --> 00:18:40,135
especially in the technology
space to be able to say, sure,

408
00:18:40,165 --> 00:18:42,855
five years from now this is
what we will probably see

409
00:18:43,365 --> 00:18:46,735
because technology is changing
so quickly and rapidly.

410
00:18:47,315 --> 00:18:49,655
Um, you know, it's very
hard to predict kind

411
00:18:49,655 --> 00:18:51,415
of what's gonna happen
in the next five years.

412
00:18:51,995 --> 00:18:54,335
But where I would tell you,
I think that you're going

413
00:18:54,355 --> 00:18:56,535
to see, you know, more advancements,

414
00:18:56,735 --> 00:18:59,255
I would tell you in this
space kind of overall with ai,

415
00:18:59,555 --> 00:19:02,095
how is it really going to
help overall with patient care

416
00:19:02,645 --> 00:19:03,935
help our clinicians?

417
00:19:04,435 --> 00:19:06,695
Um, I know some people are
worried, it's like, oh,

418
00:19:06,695 --> 00:19:08,415
is AI gonna take over physician?

419
00:19:08,835 --> 00:19:13,135
No, I think you, you need,
um, someone referenced it

420
00:19:13,135 --> 00:19:16,135
to me here the other day
as the co-pilot, right?

421
00:19:16,475 --> 00:19:19,575
AI is gonna be the co-pilot
to our physicians to be able

422
00:19:19,715 --> 00:19:21,855
to quickly be able to generate information

423
00:19:21,965 --> 00:19:24,575
that the physicians who've
had the medical training

424
00:19:25,035 --> 00:19:27,575
and knowledge to be able
to say, yes, that is valid.

425
00:19:28,075 --> 00:19:30,375
No, I, you know, no, I
need more information.

426
00:19:30,835 --> 00:19:32,655
So I think you're going to see more

427
00:19:33,195 --> 00:19:35,135
of an advancement in that area.

428
00:19:35,675 --> 00:19:38,455
And then the other piece that
I really think that is going

429
00:19:38,455 --> 00:19:39,535
to help jumpstart

430
00:19:39,595 --> 00:19:41,695
and really help us more is

431
00:19:42,405 --> 00:19:45,855
getting patients the services
from a virtual perspective

432
00:19:46,025 --> 00:19:48,215
where they need it, when they need it

433
00:19:48,475 --> 00:19:49,935
and at the time that they need it.

434
00:19:50,355 --> 00:19:53,615
Um, you see sort of this
massive sort of movement now

435
00:19:53,615 --> 00:19:57,295
where you're able to do virtual
urgent care, you're able

436
00:19:57,295 --> 00:20:00,375
to do virtual type services
when and where people need it.

437
00:20:00,435 --> 00:20:02,735
No longer do they have to
end up running to the clinic

438
00:20:03,035 --> 00:20:04,295
or having an appointment.

439
00:20:04,775 --> 00:20:07,295
I think you're gonna start to
be able to see, as I told you,

440
00:20:07,295 --> 00:20:10,335
with these, um, with this
device that we're working on.

441
00:20:10,725 --> 00:20:12,135
Part of the what is

442
00:20:12,165 --> 00:20:14,815
that we're ultimately looking
at is when patients come

443
00:20:14,815 --> 00:20:19,615
to the ed, do we really feel
that they're acute enough

444
00:20:19,635 --> 00:20:22,815
to be overall admitted to
the hospital or, or no.

445
00:20:22,835 --> 00:20:24,615
But we do need to continue to watch them

446
00:20:24,675 --> 00:20:26,895
so we can send them home
with overall these devices

447
00:20:27,035 --> 00:20:28,255
and monitor them from home.

448
00:20:28,915 --> 00:20:32,575
So that's what I think you're
going to see is really more so

449
00:20:32,595 --> 00:20:34,495
of how are some of these services being

450
00:20:34,855 --> 00:20:37,415
provided outside of the physical space

451
00:20:38,115 --> 00:20:39,615
of a healthcare institution

452
00:20:40,075 --> 00:20:42,655
and more of kind of this, um, home

453
00:20:42,715 --> 00:20:45,535
or in, in digital kind of space to be able

454
00:20:45,535 --> 00:20:49,725
to provide more services there,
which keeps people, I mean,

455
00:20:49,915 --> 00:20:52,325
look, the reality is is
most people don't wanna have

456
00:20:52,325 --> 00:20:54,565
to go into a hospital
if they don't have to.

457
00:20:54,665 --> 00:20:56,645
And so could you see
some of those services?

458
00:20:57,265 --> 00:20:59,525
That's where I see where it is big health,

459
00:20:59,525 --> 00:21:02,125
health systems can really
begin to work towards.

460
00:21:02,225 --> 00:21:04,405
And, and again, that's kind of what we're,

461
00:21:04,455 --> 00:21:07,245
we're working towards is looking at over

462
00:21:07,265 --> 00:21:09,965
how could we utilize the
technology, how can we use

463
00:21:09,995 --> 00:21:11,365
what we have already structured

464
00:21:11,365 --> 00:21:13,605
with our virtual
operations command center.

465
00:21:13,835 --> 00:21:16,285
That helps us to be
able to provide now more

466
00:21:16,285 --> 00:21:17,725
of those services externally.

467
00:21:18,165 --> 00:21:19,285
I also think you're gonna see a lot

468
00:21:19,285 --> 00:21:20,325
of these big health systems

469
00:21:20,325 --> 00:21:22,885
that are gonna really help overall with

470
00:21:23,835 --> 00:21:25,925
smaller community hospitals.

471
00:21:26,465 --> 00:21:29,365
And I would not say, you know,
these are kind of rural kind

472
00:21:29,365 --> 00:21:34,205
of hospitals that needs more
of the acute type services, but

473
00:21:34,465 --> 00:21:37,605
but don't have the services available

474
00:21:38,105 --> 00:21:39,325
in their own hospitals.

475
00:21:39,325 --> 00:21:41,205
So they're gonna be looking
for these big health systems

476
00:21:41,205 --> 00:21:43,565
that could potentially
offer those services to them

477
00:21:43,985 --> 00:21:45,445
and to their patients who are there in

478
00:21:45,445 --> 00:21:46,485
the surrounding community.

479
00:21:47,385 --> 00:21:52,085
But very much it is, I
think advancement in AI's,

480
00:21:52,085 --> 00:21:53,965
advancement in wearable

481
00:21:54,065 --> 00:21:57,485
and the data that's coming
in, um, in virtual services.

482
00:21:58,045 --> 00:22:00,245
I just think there's so much
potential that is out there

483
00:22:00,345 --> 00:22:03,445
for overall for not only
just patients, clinicians,

484
00:22:03,445 --> 00:22:04,685
but health systems as well.

485
00:22:06,095 --> 00:22:07,195
- That's amazing to hear.

486
00:22:07,635 --> 00:22:08,675
Michelle, thank you so much for joining

487
00:22:08,675 --> 00:22:09,755
us on the podcast today.

488
00:22:09,755 --> 00:22:11,915
That's been such a fun and
interesting conversation

489
00:22:11,915 --> 00:22:13,795
and I look forward to
connecting with you again soon.

490
00:22:15,165 --> 00:22:17,175
- Sure. I look forward
to see you in April.