1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,819 Want to enhance your health care organization's performance? 2 00:00:03,359 --> 00:00:06,000 At AMN Healthcare, we provide the right mix 3 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:07,779 of labor through advanced analytics, 4 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:11,939 scheduling platforms, and actionable insights for precise planning. 5 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:14,848 Our vendor management solutions streamline staff acquisition and 6 00:00:14,848 --> 00:00:15,039 deployment, while our extensive talent pool, including flexible 7 00:00:15,039 --> 00:00:15,789 gig workers, 8 00:00:16,105 --> 00:00:19,144 deployment while our extensive talent pool, including flexible 9 00:00:19,144 --> 00:00:21,464 gig workers, ensures you have the right people 10 00:00:21,464 --> 00:00:24,265 when you need them. With our flexible solutions, 11 00:00:24,265 --> 00:00:26,425 we tailor our approach to meet your specific 12 00:00:26,425 --> 00:00:28,445 needs and adapt to changing demands. 13 00:00:28,904 --> 00:00:30,844 Curious about what we can achieve together? 14 00:00:31,250 --> 00:00:32,469 Visit us at 15 00:00:32,850 --> 00:00:33,350 amnhealthcare.com. 16 00:00:35,570 --> 00:00:37,810 This is Laura Dirda with the Becker's Healthcare 17 00:00:37,810 --> 00:00:38,310 podcast. 18 00:00:38,770 --> 00:00:40,690 I'm thrilled today to be joined by Patty 19 00:00:40,690 --> 00:00:41,190 Cuentes, 20 00:00:41,649 --> 00:00:44,609 executive director and associate CMIO at Mount Sinai 21 00:00:44,609 --> 00:00:46,405 Health System. Patty, it's a pleasure to have 22 00:00:46,405 --> 00:00:47,625 you on the podcast today. 23 00:00:48,325 --> 00:00:49,844 Thank you so much, Laura. I'm happy to 24 00:00:49,844 --> 00:00:50,505 be here. 25 00:00:51,125 --> 00:00:53,684 Now I'm excited for our conversation because I 26 00:00:53,684 --> 00:00:56,244 know Mount Sinai is doing some really amazing 27 00:00:56,244 --> 00:00:57,304 things in technology, 28 00:00:57,844 --> 00:00:59,729 in bridging out with some of the clinical, 29 00:01:00,130 --> 00:01:03,329 care and care delivery as well as, you 30 00:01:03,329 --> 00:01:05,590 know, a lot is happening within the, 31 00:01:05,969 --> 00:01:08,609 physician assistant space and really excited to learn 32 00:01:08,609 --> 00:01:11,329 more from your perspective about how that role 33 00:01:11,329 --> 00:01:13,489 has evolved over time. But before we dive 34 00:01:13,489 --> 00:01:15,645 into that, those questions, I was wondering, could 35 00:01:15,645 --> 00:01:16,765 you tell me a little bit more about 36 00:01:16,765 --> 00:01:17,905 yourself and your background? 37 00:01:18,844 --> 00:01:21,564 Sure. Absolutely. Thank you for asking. So I 38 00:01:21,564 --> 00:01:23,885 have been at Mount Sinai now for almost 39 00:01:23,885 --> 00:01:24,704 9 years, 40 00:01:25,484 --> 00:01:28,545 as an executive director and an associate CMIO 41 00:01:28,924 --> 00:01:29,424 where 42 00:01:29,799 --> 00:01:31,420 I'm responsible for 43 00:01:31,719 --> 00:01:33,099 a lot of different 44 00:01:33,879 --> 00:01:34,379 sometimes, 45 00:01:35,879 --> 00:01:38,680 initiatives that are so different that it's very 46 00:01:38,680 --> 00:01:40,680 difficult to see the thread. But I will 47 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:42,840 tell you what the thread is. But I 48 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:44,140 am I help support, 49 00:01:44,814 --> 00:01:47,555 our Mount Sinai international team. So get to 50 00:01:47,935 --> 00:01:51,075 travel to different countries and help the technology 51 00:01:51,614 --> 00:01:52,114 work 52 00:01:52,415 --> 00:01:54,814 in some of the hospitals and government systems 53 00:01:54,814 --> 00:01:55,875 in different countries. 54 00:01:56,814 --> 00:01:57,954 I work within 55 00:01:58,255 --> 00:01:58,755 the, 56 00:01:59,215 --> 00:02:00,034 health system 57 00:02:00,629 --> 00:02:03,269 improving interoperability, which is what I'd like to 58 00:02:03,269 --> 00:02:04,650 get into a little bit later. 59 00:02:05,829 --> 00:02:08,169 I help support the emergency departments, 60 00:02:08,469 --> 00:02:10,330 our social determinants of health 61 00:02:10,709 --> 00:02:11,209 screening, 62 00:02:11,590 --> 00:02:12,090 and, 63 00:02:12,870 --> 00:02:13,689 I also 64 00:02:14,474 --> 00:02:14,974 work 65 00:02:15,594 --> 00:02:17,914 with a lot of our diversity initiatives and 66 00:02:17,914 --> 00:02:18,735 health equity, 67 00:02:19,514 --> 00:02:20,814 for from the technology 68 00:02:21,115 --> 00:02:22,094 aspect, which, 69 00:02:22,555 --> 00:02:23,615 you know, sometimes 70 00:02:24,074 --> 00:02:25,534 it's easy to forget 71 00:02:26,250 --> 00:02:29,849 that, really the the automation and and especially 72 00:02:29,849 --> 00:02:31,849 now with a lot of the different AI 73 00:02:31,849 --> 00:02:32,349 tools 74 00:02:32,729 --> 00:02:34,990 create some bias if we're not really 75 00:02:35,449 --> 00:02:36,349 paying attention, 76 00:02:37,129 --> 00:02:38,669 to our health equity initiatives. 77 00:02:39,174 --> 00:02:41,414 So that's a little bit of, what I 78 00:02:41,414 --> 00:02:42,715 do at Mount Sinai. 79 00:02:43,094 --> 00:02:45,014 I've been in the technology space for the 80 00:02:45,014 --> 00:02:46,235 last 17 years 81 00:02:46,854 --> 00:02:49,094 and I've been a PA for the last 82 00:02:49,094 --> 00:02:51,354 24 years. And as a PA, 83 00:02:52,055 --> 00:02:53,275 like a lot of PAs, 84 00:02:54,129 --> 00:02:56,229 we are trained in a very general 85 00:02:56,530 --> 00:02:57,430 broad sense 86 00:02:57,969 --> 00:02:59,969 and I certainly have taken advantage of that. 87 00:02:59,969 --> 00:03:02,290 I've worked in the emergency department for many 88 00:03:02,290 --> 00:03:04,610 years. I worked in the surgical ICU and 89 00:03:04,610 --> 00:03:07,090 the surgery department for many years. I worked 90 00:03:07,090 --> 00:03:08,790 in oncology for many years 91 00:03:09,604 --> 00:03:10,724 and I worked in, 92 00:03:11,205 --> 00:03:13,064 running clinics in homeless shelters, 93 00:03:13,844 --> 00:03:16,324 and even in small community health centers focused 94 00:03:16,324 --> 00:03:17,064 on LGBTQ, 95 00:03:18,164 --> 00:03:20,985 health care. So I've had a very diverse, 96 00:03:21,925 --> 00:03:22,425 clinical 97 00:03:23,030 --> 00:03:25,110 experience, and I try to bring some of 98 00:03:25,110 --> 00:03:27,450 that to the technology space as well. 99 00:03:28,469 --> 00:03:30,870 That's amazing to hear. And and certainly so 100 00:03:30,870 --> 00:03:32,950 many aspects of the health care system that 101 00:03:32,950 --> 00:03:34,469 you are able to touch on a regular 102 00:03:34,469 --> 00:03:35,909 basis is just impressive to, 103 00:03:36,735 --> 00:03:38,974 get a full understanding of everything you do 104 00:03:38,974 --> 00:03:40,894 and all the accountabilities that you'll hold within 105 00:03:40,894 --> 00:03:43,134 your role. That's really amazing. Thank you so 106 00:03:43,134 --> 00:03:45,074 much for sharing with us. Now 107 00:03:45,614 --> 00:03:47,534 what opportunities and headwinds do you have your 108 00:03:47,534 --> 00:03:49,294 eye on right now and specifically through some 109 00:03:49,294 --> 00:03:50,974 of these lenses that you talked about, whether 110 00:03:50,974 --> 00:03:52,439 it be the technology 111 00:03:52,740 --> 00:03:55,719 working with hospitals and teams even abroad to 112 00:03:55,780 --> 00:03:57,080 implement that or, 113 00:03:57,620 --> 00:04:00,419 diversity, equity, inclusion from the technology roles, social 114 00:04:00,419 --> 00:04:02,500 determinants of health screening, and all of these 115 00:04:02,500 --> 00:04:03,240 other areas, 116 00:04:03,604 --> 00:04:04,884 What is really top of mind for you, 117 00:04:04,884 --> 00:04:06,084 and what do you have your eye on, 118 00:04:06,405 --> 00:04:08,025 over the next couple months here? 119 00:04:08,724 --> 00:04:11,064 Well, thank you for for asking that. So 120 00:04:11,525 --> 00:04:14,164 the I mentioned that there's a recurring theme 121 00:04:14,164 --> 00:04:15,544 among the many initiatives, 122 00:04:16,164 --> 00:04:17,225 and many projects 123 00:04:17,669 --> 00:04:19,129 that I work on. And 124 00:04:19,509 --> 00:04:20,649 that is really 125 00:04:21,189 --> 00:04:23,990 it's almost like the, you know, all things 126 00:04:23,990 --> 00:04:25,529 are new again, which is 127 00:04:25,910 --> 00:04:28,089 the need for improved coordination 128 00:04:28,709 --> 00:04:29,850 of patient care 129 00:04:30,629 --> 00:04:32,089 through the use 130 00:04:32,470 --> 00:04:32,970 of 131 00:04:33,644 --> 00:04:36,625 data and data exchange and interoperability. 132 00:04:38,204 --> 00:04:40,685 And because I'm involved in those multiple projects, 133 00:04:40,685 --> 00:04:42,144 this is a recurrent theme 134 00:04:42,444 --> 00:04:44,305 that keeps coming to the forefront. 135 00:04:45,324 --> 00:04:47,264 You know, we we've had an increased focus, 136 00:04:47,560 --> 00:04:48,919 for example, in the last couple of years 137 00:04:48,919 --> 00:04:49,419 of 138 00:04:49,720 --> 00:04:50,220 providing 139 00:04:50,680 --> 00:04:53,399 patients access to their own data with the 140 00:04:53,399 --> 00:04:55,100 21st Century Cures Act. 141 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:57,959 You know, where now patients get access to 142 00:04:57,959 --> 00:04:59,985 their lab results and notes in real time 143 00:05:00,464 --> 00:05:03,044 and improvements in the EMR's ability to allow 144 00:05:03,344 --> 00:05:05,125 that access for for the patients, 145 00:05:06,064 --> 00:05:09,125 and access to the patient's providers as well 146 00:05:09,344 --> 00:05:11,284 via text messages and emails. 147 00:05:11,664 --> 00:05:13,279 And, of course, you know, as I mentioned, 148 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:16,339 the realities of AI tools to automate some 149 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:17,540 administrative tasks, 150 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:20,800 there is definitely an increased interest in the 151 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:23,120 ways that we can exchange data on behalf 152 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:23,779 of patients. 153 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:27,095 And then, of course, now with the TEFCA 154 00:05:27,095 --> 00:05:28,154 and the QHINDS, 155 00:05:29,014 --> 00:05:30,475 conversation now in the forefront, 156 00:05:30,935 --> 00:05:32,235 that's where, you know, 157 00:05:32,615 --> 00:05:33,975 we kind of leave it to the IT 158 00:05:33,975 --> 00:05:36,214 nerds to to figure it out, but it's 159 00:05:36,214 --> 00:05:39,014 in the public eye. And we to me, 160 00:05:39,014 --> 00:05:40,074 that is an opportunity 161 00:05:40,550 --> 00:05:42,870 to invest more in using some of these 162 00:05:42,870 --> 00:05:44,250 networks that exist already 163 00:05:44,790 --> 00:05:45,290 and, 164 00:05:45,829 --> 00:05:47,050 to allow for 165 00:05:47,350 --> 00:05:48,490 a better understanding 166 00:05:48,790 --> 00:05:51,829 from their our clinical and operational leaders within 167 00:05:51,829 --> 00:05:52,569 health care, 168 00:05:52,949 --> 00:05:55,495 because, you it's not just the IT folks 169 00:05:55,634 --> 00:05:57,314 in this case. We need to be able 170 00:05:57,314 --> 00:06:00,194 to educate and message to our clinical and 171 00:06:00,194 --> 00:06:01,334 operational leaders 172 00:06:01,875 --> 00:06:04,055 the way that we can serve patients 173 00:06:04,514 --> 00:06:05,334 through technology. 174 00:06:06,500 --> 00:06:10,120 So to me, the biggest opportunity and headwinds 175 00:06:10,500 --> 00:06:12,339 that I have, at least in in my 176 00:06:12,339 --> 00:06:13,079 eye, is 177 00:06:13,539 --> 00:06:14,039 interoperability. 178 00:06:16,100 --> 00:06:18,259 That's really fascinating to hear, you know, and 179 00:06:18,259 --> 00:06:19,240 certainly interoperability. 180 00:06:20,095 --> 00:06:21,774 You know, there's a lot of challenges still 181 00:06:21,774 --> 00:06:23,235 within that space, but, 182 00:06:24,014 --> 00:06:25,694 boy, to think about what it could do 183 00:06:25,694 --> 00:06:27,314 once it's optimized and fully, 184 00:06:28,175 --> 00:06:29,235 in a, 185 00:06:29,535 --> 00:06:31,294 I guess, in a future where we are 186 00:06:31,294 --> 00:06:32,790 interoperable, it seems like, 187 00:06:33,350 --> 00:06:34,490 just a lot of possibilities 188 00:06:34,949 --> 00:06:37,350 could open up. So, it's just really interesting 189 00:06:37,350 --> 00:06:39,110 to to hear that as being a top 190 00:06:39,110 --> 00:06:39,610 priority. 191 00:06:41,189 --> 00:06:42,949 What within when you're thinking about what you 192 00:06:42,949 --> 00:06:45,110 do at Mount Sinai, how are you moving 193 00:06:45,110 --> 00:06:47,509 forward or moving closer to that reality where 194 00:06:47,509 --> 00:06:49,935 you're able to be more interoperable and what 195 00:06:49,935 --> 00:06:52,754 challenges or or lessons learned have you had? 196 00:06:54,175 --> 00:06:54,675 Well, 197 00:06:55,375 --> 00:06:56,115 a few, 198 00:06:56,654 --> 00:06:57,954 challenges and opportunities. 199 00:06:58,814 --> 00:07:01,534 There is obviously the challenge of making sure 200 00:07:01,534 --> 00:07:03,954 that our infrastructure and our IT systems 201 00:07:04,379 --> 00:07:05,120 are ready 202 00:07:05,500 --> 00:07:08,300 for the different multiple ways that we have 203 00:07:08,300 --> 00:07:10,560 to exchange data for patients, 204 00:07:12,060 --> 00:07:15,660 and obviously to improve quality outcomes, improve the 205 00:07:15,660 --> 00:07:18,154 way that we're able to have that data 206 00:07:18,214 --> 00:07:20,774 accessible by by our patients and our community, 207 00:07:20,774 --> 00:07:23,514 our community practices, our community of providers. 208 00:07:24,454 --> 00:07:27,735 That is one piece that is a challenge 209 00:07:27,735 --> 00:07:30,694 and an opportunity on the IT front, the 210 00:07:30,694 --> 00:07:31,754 technical front. 211 00:07:32,339 --> 00:07:33,800 The other is 212 00:07:34,180 --> 00:07:35,160 related to, 213 00:07:35,540 --> 00:07:37,300 and I mentioned it a little bit ago, 214 00:07:37,300 --> 00:07:39,800 but just to expand on it, just education 215 00:07:39,860 --> 00:07:42,199 and communication that's needed in this space. 216 00:07:42,740 --> 00:07:45,939 And for myself and others in kind of 217 00:07:45,939 --> 00:07:48,564 my field, it's the opportunity to be a 218 00:07:48,564 --> 00:07:49,545 bit of a translator 219 00:07:50,165 --> 00:07:52,725 to help simplify some of the language that 220 00:07:52,725 --> 00:07:55,045 is typically used in the way that data 221 00:07:55,045 --> 00:07:57,384 is a change, the standards. You know, everybody 222 00:07:57,605 --> 00:07:59,790 says fire, but they, you know, don't really 223 00:07:59,790 --> 00:08:02,110 understand what it is or, you know, what 224 00:08:02,110 --> 00:08:04,029 does API even stand for or h l 225 00:08:04,029 --> 00:08:06,029 seven? Like, all of that, we need to 226 00:08:06,029 --> 00:08:07,009 be better 227 00:08:07,470 --> 00:08:08,209 at educating, 228 00:08:08,509 --> 00:08:09,889 communicating, and translating 229 00:08:10,829 --> 00:08:11,329 for 230 00:08:11,884 --> 00:08:14,845 our, again, clinical and operational leaders and just, 231 00:08:14,845 --> 00:08:16,705 you know, decision makers because, 232 00:08:17,165 --> 00:08:19,884 you know, we will need to continue to 233 00:08:19,884 --> 00:08:20,384 invest 234 00:08:21,245 --> 00:08:23,345 more time, effort and resources 235 00:08:23,884 --> 00:08:26,589 into the ability to exchange data so that 236 00:08:26,589 --> 00:08:27,730 we can, again, 237 00:08:28,110 --> 00:08:30,589 serve our patients and our community better and 238 00:08:30,589 --> 00:08:32,590 know that, you know, our patients travel and 239 00:08:32,590 --> 00:08:35,389 we are trying to be more global just 240 00:08:35,389 --> 00:08:36,769 like a lot of other industries 241 00:08:37,389 --> 00:08:39,389 are are not local anymore. We're we're very 242 00:08:39,389 --> 00:08:40,210 much global. 243 00:08:41,865 --> 00:08:43,625 Oh, that's fantastic to hear, and I, you 244 00:08:43,625 --> 00:08:45,784 know, can imagine there's a lot that goes 245 00:08:45,784 --> 00:08:46,284 into 246 00:08:46,745 --> 00:08:48,824 expanding your reach and thinking of yourselves more 247 00:08:48,824 --> 00:08:51,625 as a global institution versus just the local, 248 00:08:51,865 --> 00:08:53,909 communities that you serve. Now 249 00:08:54,389 --> 00:08:56,309 from your perspective, how are you thinking about 250 00:08:56,309 --> 00:08:58,389 growth and adding value to the health system 251 00:08:58,389 --> 00:08:58,889 overall? 252 00:08:59,350 --> 00:09:01,909 What what really is meaningful for you in 253 00:09:01,909 --> 00:09:03,129 the work that you're doing? 254 00:09:04,549 --> 00:09:07,289 I think, you know, again, being that translator, 255 00:09:07,750 --> 00:09:09,610 being that educator, and, 256 00:09:10,095 --> 00:09:11,554 you know, systems, 257 00:09:11,934 --> 00:09:14,034 a lot of health care systems and organizations 258 00:09:14,254 --> 00:09:15,875 are are limited in 259 00:09:16,334 --> 00:09:18,654 where they can invest. Right? You know, you 260 00:09:18,654 --> 00:09:19,875 you need to make choices. 261 00:09:20,574 --> 00:09:22,434 And I do think that, 262 00:09:23,420 --> 00:09:25,500 a way to grow a system and add 263 00:09:25,500 --> 00:09:26,000 value 264 00:09:26,620 --> 00:09:27,120 is 265 00:09:27,500 --> 00:09:28,480 to help organizations 266 00:09:28,940 --> 00:09:30,559 invest more in interoperability 267 00:09:31,340 --> 00:09:33,340 because it's just a way to improve care 268 00:09:33,340 --> 00:09:34,000 by coordination. 269 00:09:34,700 --> 00:09:36,300 You know, you can cut costs, you can 270 00:09:36,300 --> 00:09:38,960 improve outcomes, you can share in best practices. 271 00:09:39,414 --> 00:09:41,434 You know, you can again get, 272 00:09:42,294 --> 00:09:45,195 get and allow access to real time referrals 273 00:09:45,495 --> 00:09:47,894 to grow a business and reports to better 274 00:09:47,894 --> 00:09:50,315 serve communities and just improve 275 00:09:50,774 --> 00:09:53,674 connections even with payers, you know, to improve 276 00:09:53,975 --> 00:09:54,955 revenue collection. 277 00:09:55,789 --> 00:09:56,529 And then 278 00:09:57,389 --> 00:10:00,350 always thinking of the patient at the center 279 00:10:00,350 --> 00:10:01,009 of care. 280 00:10:01,389 --> 00:10:03,409 Again, just by broadening that definition 281 00:10:03,870 --> 00:10:05,009 and bringing in, 282 00:10:05,389 --> 00:10:07,490 as I mentioned in the beginning, the social 283 00:10:07,824 --> 00:10:10,704 screening and the social data and bringing that 284 00:10:10,704 --> 00:10:11,204 in 285 00:10:11,584 --> 00:10:12,565 to the whole, 286 00:10:13,024 --> 00:10:13,924 of the patient. 287 00:10:15,664 --> 00:10:17,184 I love that. I think it's such an 288 00:10:17,184 --> 00:10:19,745 important aspect of any health care delivery system, 289 00:10:19,745 --> 00:10:21,779 as you said, just being intentional about, 290 00:10:22,500 --> 00:10:24,740 how you're building out that network and connecting 291 00:10:24,740 --> 00:10:25,879 smartly with, 292 00:10:26,580 --> 00:10:27,080 patients 293 00:10:27,460 --> 00:10:29,779 in in providing those services. And then 2, 294 00:10:29,779 --> 00:10:32,340 I think it's interesting having that work dovetail 295 00:10:32,340 --> 00:10:34,019 into some of the things you're doing on, 296 00:10:34,259 --> 00:10:35,000 with payers 297 00:10:35,379 --> 00:10:38,034 in in in that world as well. 298 00:10:38,514 --> 00:10:40,595 It seems like it's a really ripe for 299 00:10:40,595 --> 00:10:42,595 kind of innovation within that space, and so 300 00:10:42,595 --> 00:10:44,754 that that's really, interesting to hear you talk 301 00:10:44,754 --> 00:10:45,495 about that. 302 00:10:46,434 --> 00:10:48,754 I'm wondering I I know for health systems 303 00:10:48,754 --> 00:10:51,429 across the country, finances are tight for most 304 00:10:51,429 --> 00:10:51,929 organizations 305 00:10:52,470 --> 00:10:54,250 and margins are thin, but 306 00:10:54,709 --> 00:10:57,190 what's really a risk or investment that's still 307 00:10:57,190 --> 00:10:59,110 worth making this year over the or over 308 00:10:59,110 --> 00:11:01,269 the next 12 months that could be really 309 00:11:01,269 --> 00:11:03,589 meaningful in making progress towards some of the 310 00:11:03,589 --> 00:11:04,730 goals you've laid out? 311 00:11:06,174 --> 00:11:09,554 Well, I I think that, you know, we 312 00:11:09,695 --> 00:11:10,195 we, 313 00:11:10,575 --> 00:11:12,355 and a lot of other organizations 314 00:11:13,294 --> 00:11:14,014 in the US, 315 00:11:14,735 --> 00:11:15,235 experienced, 316 00:11:15,855 --> 00:11:17,554 you know, the outage with change. 317 00:11:18,254 --> 00:11:20,550 And, you know, I think a lot of 318 00:11:20,550 --> 00:11:23,350 organizations are are looking to not make those 319 00:11:23,350 --> 00:11:24,809 mistakes again or 320 00:11:25,110 --> 00:11:27,290 be a little bit more self reliant or, 321 00:11:27,350 --> 00:11:30,009 you know, look at other ways to exchange 322 00:11:30,230 --> 00:11:33,350 data with payers, sometimes directly, sometimes through the 323 00:11:33,350 --> 00:11:33,850 EMR. 324 00:11:34,309 --> 00:11:37,325 And, you know, coming back to the theme 325 00:11:37,325 --> 00:11:37,825 of 326 00:11:38,284 --> 00:11:38,784 interoperability, 327 00:11:39,725 --> 00:11:40,465 but also 328 00:11:40,845 --> 00:11:42,304 making the best decision 329 00:11:42,845 --> 00:11:45,024 for your organization in your system 330 00:11:45,485 --> 00:11:47,404 means that you really have to understand what 331 00:11:47,404 --> 00:11:48,304 are your options 332 00:11:48,960 --> 00:11:49,460 and 333 00:11:51,200 --> 00:11:52,580 where are your skills 334 00:11:53,040 --> 00:11:54,100 in the technology, 335 00:11:55,040 --> 00:11:57,279 department. Do you have the right set of 336 00:11:57,279 --> 00:11:58,960 skills? Do you have the right people? Do 337 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:00,100 you have the right resources? 338 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:01,300 And 339 00:12:01,840 --> 00:12:04,445 what is your growth in the business? What 340 00:12:04,445 --> 00:12:07,164 are you looking to do? Right? So I 341 00:12:07,164 --> 00:12:09,424 think that all of that is, 342 00:12:09,964 --> 00:12:10,464 really 343 00:12:11,164 --> 00:12:14,065 the work that needs to happen to create 344 00:12:14,764 --> 00:12:17,004 the best opportunities for growth in the future 345 00:12:17,004 --> 00:12:18,225 is is not 346 00:12:18,670 --> 00:12:22,450 go back and rely on just one mechanism 347 00:12:23,230 --> 00:12:25,629 of again, if we're talking about just, you 348 00:12:25,629 --> 00:12:28,350 know, the the the bottom line, but also 349 00:12:28,350 --> 00:12:30,290 try to diversify by understanding 350 00:12:30,865 --> 00:12:31,605 the infrastructure 351 00:12:31,985 --> 00:12:34,785 that you either have built or need to 352 00:12:34,785 --> 00:12:35,285 build. 353 00:12:35,825 --> 00:12:36,884 Does that make sense? 354 00:12:37,665 --> 00:12:40,485 Yes. I I think so. You know, certainly, 355 00:12:40,545 --> 00:12:41,365 as you mentioned, 356 00:12:41,985 --> 00:12:44,565 I I really kinda gravitate toward that idea 357 00:12:45,080 --> 00:12:47,080 of making sure you have the right skills, 358 00:12:47,080 --> 00:12:49,480 people, and resources in place. And, you know, 359 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:51,559 that infrastructure to support all of it is 360 00:12:51,559 --> 00:12:52,860 really important. And, 361 00:12:54,600 --> 00:12:56,679 I think, especially when you're looking at what 362 00:12:56,679 --> 00:12:58,865 happened with Change Healthcare and how I know 363 00:12:58,865 --> 00:13:01,904 a lot of systems and, hospitals and and 364 00:13:01,904 --> 00:13:04,304 practices are trying to figure out what they 365 00:13:04,304 --> 00:13:04,945 can do, 366 00:13:05,424 --> 00:13:07,024 to make sure they don't have all their 367 00:13:07,024 --> 00:13:09,024 eggs in one basket in the future with 368 00:13:09,024 --> 00:13:11,345 any big vendor like that and especially if 369 00:13:11,345 --> 00:13:13,259 it's tied to the revenue cycle. So, 370 00:13:14,220 --> 00:13:16,720 that's exactly right. That's exactly right, Laura. And, 371 00:13:16,860 --> 00:13:17,820 you know, the other, 372 00:13:18,700 --> 00:13:20,240 side to this is, 373 00:13:20,860 --> 00:13:23,600 you know, every state is slightly different. 374 00:13:24,460 --> 00:13:25,200 The regulations 375 00:13:25,740 --> 00:13:28,139 around how we can share data is slightly 376 00:13:28,139 --> 00:13:28,575 different. 377 00:13:29,054 --> 00:13:30,995 Some states need patient consent, 378 00:13:31,615 --> 00:13:32,674 some don't, 379 00:13:33,855 --> 00:13:36,754 and some states are working on, 380 00:13:38,014 --> 00:13:39,475 you know, again, the the waiver, 381 00:13:40,415 --> 00:13:41,554 to be able to 382 00:13:42,360 --> 00:13:45,339 screen more patients, for example, for social 383 00:13:45,720 --> 00:13:48,539 social data. And I really do encourage 384 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:49,740 organizations 385 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:53,100 to take, you know, take a look inward 386 00:13:53,639 --> 00:13:54,379 as to 387 00:13:55,014 --> 00:13:56,554 who in their IT department, 388 00:13:57,414 --> 00:14:00,394 understands this this space of interoperability. 389 00:14:01,014 --> 00:14:03,174 You know, what decisions are being made, who 390 00:14:03,174 --> 00:14:04,394 is making the decisions, 391 00:14:04,934 --> 00:14:07,815 and what is the short term and long 392 00:14:07,815 --> 00:14:08,634 term plan. 393 00:14:09,269 --> 00:14:11,990 Because what I've seen in my own experience 394 00:14:11,990 --> 00:14:12,970 working in different, 395 00:14:13,589 --> 00:14:15,929 organizations over the last couple of decades 396 00:14:16,549 --> 00:14:17,610 is there's 397 00:14:17,990 --> 00:14:20,470 there's always a shortfall in the amount of 398 00:14:20,470 --> 00:14:20,970 resources 399 00:14:21,589 --> 00:14:22,809 that are placed 400 00:14:23,585 --> 00:14:26,004 and the amount of investment that is placed 401 00:14:26,304 --> 00:14:28,884 in the way that organizations can share data. 402 00:14:29,024 --> 00:14:31,904 And, again, that makes sense because of our 403 00:14:31,904 --> 00:14:32,404 evolution 404 00:14:32,945 --> 00:14:34,965 from the fee for fee for service 405 00:14:35,424 --> 00:14:38,399 to now really looking at outcomes and quality 406 00:14:38,399 --> 00:14:40,960 and value based care. We're not fully there 407 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:43,840 yet, so I do think that organizations need 408 00:14:43,840 --> 00:14:45,679 to look a little bit more at the 409 00:14:45,679 --> 00:14:47,139 way that data is exchanged. 410 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:50,915 That makes a lot of sense and definitely, 411 00:14:51,215 --> 00:14:52,894 really ties back nicely to some of the 412 00:14:52,894 --> 00:14:55,134 things you mentioned earlier in our conversation about 413 00:14:55,134 --> 00:14:56,595 interoperability and about, 414 00:14:57,615 --> 00:14:59,715 really securing that type of 415 00:15:00,415 --> 00:15:02,035 back and forth between organizations 416 00:15:02,415 --> 00:15:04,750 to have that right type of patient experience, 417 00:15:04,750 --> 00:15:07,330 but also just really efficiently get things done. 418 00:15:07,710 --> 00:15:09,950 Now I'm wondering where do you see the 419 00:15:09,950 --> 00:15:12,050 best opportunities for growth in the future? 420 00:15:13,309 --> 00:15:15,870 Well, you know, there isn't one size fits 421 00:15:15,870 --> 00:15:17,970 all. Right? And, again, it's it's 422 00:15:18,294 --> 00:15:19,514 a bit individual 423 00:15:20,054 --> 00:15:21,815 in the way that you know, where an 424 00:15:21,815 --> 00:15:22,955 organization sits, 425 00:15:23,415 --> 00:15:24,794 you know, again, which state 426 00:15:25,095 --> 00:15:27,415 or and even within their state, you know, 427 00:15:27,415 --> 00:15:29,035 what kind of care do they provide. 428 00:15:29,575 --> 00:15:32,460 So I do think that again, the way 429 00:15:32,460 --> 00:15:34,860 that organizations need to grow depending on the 430 00:15:34,860 --> 00:15:36,160 system that you are. 431 00:15:37,340 --> 00:15:39,440 If you need if you wanna grow by 432 00:15:39,660 --> 00:15:42,779 receiving referrals, for example, because you have some 433 00:15:42,779 --> 00:15:46,080 specialty care that you wanna bring patients to, 434 00:15:46,235 --> 00:15:48,315 well, you need to invest again in those 435 00:15:48,315 --> 00:15:51,435 systems. Right? That is the biggest opportunity for 436 00:15:51,435 --> 00:15:54,254 growth. Right? You need to be able to 437 00:15:54,394 --> 00:15:57,035 not just say, you know, come to us 438 00:15:57,035 --> 00:15:58,495 because we provide 439 00:15:58,955 --> 00:16:00,014 the best care, 440 00:16:00,480 --> 00:16:02,399 but come to us because we also make 441 00:16:02,399 --> 00:16:03,139 it easy. 442 00:16:03,519 --> 00:16:05,120 We make it easy for you to send 443 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:07,919 our patients. For example, we make it easy 444 00:16:07,919 --> 00:16:10,240 to see the data about your patients. We 445 00:16:10,240 --> 00:16:13,215 make it easy in that we communicate with 446 00:16:13,215 --> 00:16:16,514 your patients and the referring providers. Let's say, 447 00:16:16,654 --> 00:16:17,794 you know, the technology 448 00:16:18,174 --> 00:16:19,955 allows it to be easy. 449 00:16:21,294 --> 00:16:21,794 Sometimes 450 00:16:22,254 --> 00:16:24,975 I've seen organizations not pay enough attention to 451 00:16:24,975 --> 00:16:27,409 that. You know, they again make decisions 452 00:16:27,949 --> 00:16:30,929 clinically and operationally, but they don't always understand 453 00:16:31,629 --> 00:16:34,269 the backbone of technology that is needed for 454 00:16:34,269 --> 00:16:37,549 that. So where I see the best opportunities 455 00:16:37,549 --> 00:16:38,769 for growth in the future, 456 00:16:39,134 --> 00:16:41,394 there's many and there it's individual, 457 00:16:42,095 --> 00:16:44,735 but part of it is to understand the 458 00:16:44,735 --> 00:16:45,794 technology that, 459 00:16:46,815 --> 00:16:47,875 lays underneath 460 00:16:48,654 --> 00:16:51,774 the ways to bring in referrals and data 461 00:16:51,774 --> 00:16:54,274 and expand your business that way. 462 00:16:55,320 --> 00:16:56,839 I love that. What a what a great 463 00:16:56,839 --> 00:16:59,240 point and, you know, really, really cool to 464 00:16:59,240 --> 00:17:01,740 think about how technology can support, 465 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:03,100 so many different 466 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:06,599 connecting points and really provide us a better 467 00:17:06,599 --> 00:17:09,325 future of health care delivery. Patty, thank you 468 00:17:09,325 --> 00:17:10,765 so much for joining us on the podcast 469 00:17:10,765 --> 00:17:12,845 today. This has been a really fun and 470 00:17:12,845 --> 00:17:15,164 fascinating conversation, and I look forward to connecting 471 00:17:15,164 --> 00:17:16,225 with you again soon. 472 00:17:16,684 --> 00:17:18,205 Thank you so much, Laura. Thank you for 473 00:17:18,205 --> 00:17:19,345 nerding out with me.