1 00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:02,899 At athenahealth, 2 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:06,480 we know your ambulatory practice wants healthier, a 3 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:09,779 healthier business, healthier care teams, and healthier patients. 4 00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:12,480 But the complexities of modern health care tech 5 00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:14,240 make it hard for you and your care 6 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:15,855 teams to focus on what matters 7 00:00:16,414 --> 00:00:19,295 most? That's where athenahealth can help. Our AI 8 00:00:19,295 --> 00:00:22,594 native all in one solutions reduce administrative burdens, 9 00:00:22,894 --> 00:00:25,875 streamline billing and payments, and deliver critical insights 10 00:00:25,934 --> 00:00:28,734 when clinicians need it most. That means fewer 11 00:00:28,734 --> 00:00:31,614 clicks, more time for patients, and stronger bottom 12 00:00:31,614 --> 00:00:31,829 lines. 13 00:00:32,710 --> 00:00:35,989 Practicing medicine is complex, but running a practice 14 00:00:35,989 --> 00:00:37,850 can be that much simpler with athenahealth. 15 00:00:38,549 --> 00:00:42,250 See how simpler is healthier@athenahealth.com. 16 00:00:43,925 --> 00:00:46,085 This is Laura Dirdo with the Becker's Healthcare 17 00:00:46,085 --> 00:00:48,245 podcast. I'm thrilled today to be joined by 18 00:00:48,245 --> 00:00:51,685 Jamie Weber, system director of perioperative services for 19 00:00:51,685 --> 00:00:53,925 Alameda Health System. Jamie, it's a pleasure to 20 00:00:53,925 --> 00:00:55,844 have you on the podcast today. Thank you 21 00:00:55,844 --> 00:00:57,145 so much for having me. 22 00:00:57,480 --> 00:00:59,560 Absolutely. Now I know it's such a unique 23 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:02,120 time in health care, and, it's exciting to, 24 00:01:02,120 --> 00:01:04,439 you know, think about possibilities for the future, 25 00:01:04,439 --> 00:01:06,520 but there's also a lot of uncertainties. So, 26 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:08,520 you know, I'll I'll be excited for our 27 00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:10,120 conversation and to dig into some of the 28 00:01:10,120 --> 00:01:12,194 things that you're seeing as well as your 29 00:01:12,275 --> 00:01:13,954 perspective on the future. But before we do 30 00:01:13,954 --> 00:01:15,155 that, can you tell me a little bit 31 00:01:15,155 --> 00:01:16,614 more about yourself and your background? 32 00:01:17,314 --> 00:01:18,534 Of course. Of course. 33 00:01:19,075 --> 00:01:21,015 Yes. I am a perioperative 34 00:01:21,474 --> 00:01:22,454 nursing leader. 35 00:01:22,915 --> 00:01:25,394 I have been in health care for over 36 00:01:25,394 --> 00:01:26,135 two decades, 37 00:01:26,759 --> 00:01:28,060 and I have 38 00:01:28,679 --> 00:01:31,560 been involved with several different areas of care 39 00:01:31,560 --> 00:01:32,060 from 40 00:01:32,679 --> 00:01:34,780 ER, ICU to perioperative 41 00:01:35,159 --> 00:01:38,359 services as well as adult inpatient services in 42 00:01:38,359 --> 00:01:39,659 both inpatient 43 00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:40,859 and outpatient 44 00:01:41,424 --> 00:01:41,924 services. 45 00:01:42,465 --> 00:01:44,545 So I've sort of had my hand in 46 00:01:44,545 --> 00:01:45,924 a lot of different things. 47 00:01:47,025 --> 00:01:49,185 That's great to hear. And, you know, considering 48 00:01:49,185 --> 00:01:50,965 your background and your focus on the perioperative 49 00:01:51,025 --> 00:01:52,864 space, what are some of the opportunities and 50 00:01:52,864 --> 00:01:54,644 headwinds you have your eye on right now? 51 00:01:55,430 --> 00:01:59,030 So there's a lot of things that come 52 00:01:59,030 --> 00:01:59,530 with 53 00:02:00,150 --> 00:02:02,709 health care in general right now. We're hearing 54 00:02:02,709 --> 00:02:04,790 a lot of buzz about AI and what 55 00:02:04,790 --> 00:02:06,170 does that mean for us. 56 00:02:06,629 --> 00:02:07,609 Surgical services 57 00:02:07,989 --> 00:02:10,729 is definitely one of the major engines 58 00:02:11,865 --> 00:02:14,525 in a health care system to generate revenue. 59 00:02:15,064 --> 00:02:17,164 We have people that come in through multiple 60 00:02:17,305 --> 00:02:17,805 doors, 61 00:02:18,264 --> 00:02:20,125 but when it comes to reimbursements 62 00:02:20,905 --> 00:02:22,685 to keep the hospital running, 63 00:02:22,985 --> 00:02:25,224 a lot of that is generated through surgical 64 00:02:25,224 --> 00:02:25,724 services. 65 00:02:26,790 --> 00:02:29,110 So keeping that in mind, we always have 66 00:02:29,110 --> 00:02:30,870 to be sort of at the forefront of 67 00:02:30,870 --> 00:02:32,330 everything that's going on 68 00:02:32,629 --> 00:02:34,569 and be extremely productive 69 00:02:35,110 --> 00:02:36,870 in what we do to make sure that 70 00:02:36,870 --> 00:02:39,590 we stretch every little penny that comes through 71 00:02:39,590 --> 00:02:40,250 our door 72 00:02:40,824 --> 00:02:41,884 and every opportunity. 73 00:02:42,504 --> 00:02:45,004 That said, with all of the different 74 00:02:45,864 --> 00:02:46,364 elements 75 00:02:46,664 --> 00:02:47,564 and technologies 76 00:02:47,864 --> 00:02:50,504 that are coming around, AI is definitely a 77 00:02:50,504 --> 00:02:52,924 word that we hear thrown out a lot. 78 00:02:53,384 --> 00:02:56,284 Now does that mean that we're going to 79 00:02:56,719 --> 00:02:57,780 get rid of nurses? 80 00:02:58,159 --> 00:03:01,459 No. Absolutely not. Nurses are required. 81 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:04,580 Patients need physical care that 82 00:03:04,959 --> 00:03:06,180 there's no way 83 00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:07,379 something that 84 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:10,805 a robot could do. But what does AI 85 00:03:10,805 --> 00:03:13,205 look like for us in the hospital? Well, 86 00:03:13,205 --> 00:03:14,564 it can help us with a lot of 87 00:03:14,564 --> 00:03:15,305 that productivity 88 00:03:15,604 --> 00:03:16,104 piece. 89 00:03:16,564 --> 00:03:19,125 It can help us with managing our schedule 90 00:03:19,125 --> 00:03:20,025 and forecasting 91 00:03:21,044 --> 00:03:23,284 areas of opportunity for us to be more 92 00:03:23,284 --> 00:03:23,784 efficient. 93 00:03:24,879 --> 00:03:26,719 Absolutely. I think that's great to hear. And, 94 00:03:26,719 --> 00:03:28,900 definitely, you know, one of the big conversations 95 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:30,560 that you mentioned right now in health care, 96 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:33,060 looking at AI, looking at technology, and knowing, 97 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:35,360 you know, that margins are thin. So how 98 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:38,479 can technology really be a meaningful booster while 99 00:03:38,479 --> 00:03:39,219 while also, 100 00:03:39,935 --> 00:03:40,594 you know, 101 00:03:41,055 --> 00:03:43,134 being able to be additive to the human 102 00:03:43,134 --> 00:03:44,115 workforce and, 103 00:03:44,574 --> 00:03:46,735 really not losing sight of that human connection 104 00:03:46,735 --> 00:03:48,814 and patient care. So when you look at 105 00:03:48,814 --> 00:03:49,955 the ways that technology 106 00:03:50,335 --> 00:03:52,034 is coming in and some of the modifications 107 00:03:52,254 --> 00:03:54,620 that you're making in order to meet the 108 00:03:54,620 --> 00:03:56,239 demands of your patient services, 109 00:03:56,780 --> 00:03:59,019 you know, with the resources that you have, 110 00:03:59,019 --> 00:04:00,620 what are some of the tactics that you've 111 00:04:00,620 --> 00:04:02,699 been taking or or will consider in the 112 00:04:02,699 --> 00:04:04,539 next year or so that, can make a 113 00:04:04,539 --> 00:04:06,799 meaningful difference for the organization overall? 114 00:04:08,625 --> 00:04:11,025 So one thing about health care is a 115 00:04:11,025 --> 00:04:12,865 lot of the technology can move a lot 116 00:04:12,865 --> 00:04:14,324 faster than folks 117 00:04:14,865 --> 00:04:17,845 delivering the care are comfortable doing. 118 00:04:18,305 --> 00:04:20,545 So sometimes we go a little slow, and 119 00:04:20,545 --> 00:04:22,725 we aren't as quick to catch up. 120 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:25,040 It almost seems as though sometimes we can 121 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:27,040 be a little change averse. So when we 122 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:28,500 start hearing about technology, 123 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:31,360 it can be really hard for nursing groups 124 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:32,720 to go, how does this affect me and 125 00:04:32,720 --> 00:04:34,180 how does it affect my patient? 126 00:04:35,120 --> 00:04:37,060 So it's it's important to be mindful 127 00:04:37,439 --> 00:04:39,415 of that when moving into this and make 128 00:04:39,415 --> 00:04:41,335 sure that this is something that brings a 129 00:04:41,335 --> 00:04:41,835 value 130 00:04:42,295 --> 00:04:44,314 add to their care practice. 131 00:04:45,335 --> 00:04:47,975 That said, again, a lot of what it 132 00:04:47,975 --> 00:04:50,935 is is allowing the health care provider, whether 133 00:04:50,935 --> 00:04:51,835 it's a physician, 134 00:04:52,420 --> 00:04:55,240 you know, some ancillary team member, a nurse. 135 00:04:56,100 --> 00:04:58,580 We'll we need to focus on things that 136 00:04:58,580 --> 00:05:02,020 are going to make their workload that can't 137 00:05:02,020 --> 00:05:02,839 be automated 138 00:05:03,860 --> 00:05:04,759 a little easier 139 00:05:05,204 --> 00:05:07,524 so that they can actually care for the 140 00:05:07,524 --> 00:05:08,024 patient. 141 00:05:08,485 --> 00:05:10,644 So a lot of what we've been looking 142 00:05:10,644 --> 00:05:13,225 at in my health care system 143 00:05:13,764 --> 00:05:14,665 and others, 144 00:05:15,685 --> 00:05:18,564 is is things to improve that productivity. How 145 00:05:18,564 --> 00:05:19,704 can we forecast 146 00:05:20,899 --> 00:05:23,779 our surgery scheduling to make sure that we're 147 00:05:23,779 --> 00:05:24,599 more accurate 148 00:05:25,139 --> 00:05:25,639 with 149 00:05:26,099 --> 00:05:28,659 this doctor takes this long to do this 150 00:05:28,659 --> 00:05:29,159 procedure 151 00:05:29,779 --> 00:05:31,860 or we think we're gonna have some open 152 00:05:31,860 --> 00:05:34,019 time here because we tend to get a 153 00:05:34,019 --> 00:05:35,514 lot of add ons and emergencies 154 00:05:35,894 --> 00:05:37,974 that come through the door on this day 155 00:05:37,974 --> 00:05:39,894 of the week. So how can we have 156 00:05:39,894 --> 00:05:42,214 a predictive model for staffing? How can we 157 00:05:42,214 --> 00:05:44,794 have a predictive model for our scheduling? 158 00:05:45,495 --> 00:05:48,454 How can we know exactly how long this 159 00:05:48,454 --> 00:05:51,159 case is going to take? You know, maybe 160 00:05:51,779 --> 00:05:53,379 one day of the week, we get an 161 00:05:53,379 --> 00:05:55,459 awful lot of sick calls. We need to 162 00:05:55,459 --> 00:05:58,259 look into that, but maybe we wanna beef 163 00:05:58,259 --> 00:06:00,579 up that day because those tend to be 164 00:06:00,579 --> 00:06:03,620 more sick call heavy day or just days 165 00:06:03,620 --> 00:06:06,435 that people don't sign up for extra shifts, 166 00:06:06,435 --> 00:06:08,435 and we do get those add ons and 167 00:06:08,435 --> 00:06:08,935 things 168 00:06:09,314 --> 00:06:11,235 so that we can be more efficient. Or 169 00:06:11,235 --> 00:06:13,634 even sometimes that our case volumes are just 170 00:06:13,634 --> 00:06:16,294 a little heavier and require additional resources. 171 00:06:17,220 --> 00:06:19,079 Some other things we can use this technology 172 00:06:19,220 --> 00:06:20,839 for, some integrate 173 00:06:21,459 --> 00:06:22,680 cameras for visualization 174 00:06:24,740 --> 00:06:26,899 to actually look at what goes on in 175 00:06:26,899 --> 00:06:28,120 our operating rooms 176 00:06:28,660 --> 00:06:30,360 to help with flow. 177 00:06:30,904 --> 00:06:33,625 Is there some downtime in there when people 178 00:06:33,625 --> 00:06:35,004 are not in the room, 179 00:06:35,305 --> 00:06:37,245 you know, doing things like turnover? 180 00:06:38,025 --> 00:06:39,785 And is there a way that we can 181 00:06:39,785 --> 00:06:40,285 optimize 182 00:06:41,145 --> 00:06:44,025 the room a little better or streamline some 183 00:06:44,025 --> 00:06:45,564 of those services to help? 184 00:06:46,269 --> 00:06:49,250 There's also some technology that we're looking at 185 00:06:49,310 --> 00:06:50,849 that will benefit the patients 186 00:06:51,629 --> 00:06:53,949 that really are a value add that have 187 00:06:53,949 --> 00:06:56,129 required a lot of manual work. 188 00:06:56,509 --> 00:06:57,889 There are some new technologies 189 00:06:58,349 --> 00:06:59,649 out right now that 190 00:07:00,495 --> 00:07:03,134 use UV light, which we already use in 191 00:07:03,134 --> 00:07:03,795 the hospital, 192 00:07:04,334 --> 00:07:07,395 but the machines for UV disinfection 193 00:07:08,175 --> 00:07:11,055 are big and bulky, and they require somebody 194 00:07:11,055 --> 00:07:12,975 to move it around the room, and they're 195 00:07:12,975 --> 00:07:14,194 very time consuming. 196 00:07:14,779 --> 00:07:16,000 There are some technologies 197 00:07:16,379 --> 00:07:18,879 that, again, use cameras and visualization. 198 00:07:19,740 --> 00:07:21,660 These can be used in the OR, in 199 00:07:21,660 --> 00:07:24,460 patient rooms, all sorts of things that have 200 00:07:24,460 --> 00:07:26,319 sensors that immediately 201 00:07:26,620 --> 00:07:28,400 turn off when there's any motion 202 00:07:28,735 --> 00:07:31,295 or human detected in the room, but it 203 00:07:31,295 --> 00:07:34,254 also monitors for high touch surfaces and then 204 00:07:34,254 --> 00:07:35,154 use pinpointed 205 00:07:35,615 --> 00:07:36,915 UV light 206 00:07:37,295 --> 00:07:38,915 to treat that area 207 00:07:39,375 --> 00:07:40,035 to ensure 208 00:07:40,495 --> 00:07:41,634 appropriate disinfection, 209 00:07:42,975 --> 00:07:45,410 after the surface surface has been cleansed 210 00:07:45,790 --> 00:07:47,170 and provide more 211 00:07:47,629 --> 00:07:48,129 disinfection 212 00:07:48,910 --> 00:07:49,569 to prevent 213 00:07:49,949 --> 00:07:50,850 cross contaminate 214 00:07:51,470 --> 00:07:51,870 and, 215 00:07:52,589 --> 00:07:55,810 infection risk for a patient or even staff. 216 00:07:56,435 --> 00:07:58,194 So these are a lot of different options 217 00:07:58,194 --> 00:08:00,115 that we're looking at in the future, which, 218 00:08:00,115 --> 00:08:00,615 again, 219 00:08:01,154 --> 00:08:01,654 reduce 220 00:08:02,355 --> 00:08:04,915 human input to, say, move around a big 221 00:08:04,915 --> 00:08:05,814 bulky machine, 222 00:08:06,115 --> 00:08:08,775 which is heavy, can result in employee injury, 223 00:08:09,154 --> 00:08:11,074 but also save us time so that we 224 00:08:11,074 --> 00:08:12,689 can treat more areas. 225 00:08:13,550 --> 00:08:15,949 We might be limited by having one service 226 00:08:15,949 --> 00:08:18,270 tech move this big bulky machine around for 227 00:08:18,270 --> 00:08:20,509 UV light, but if we can set these 228 00:08:20,509 --> 00:08:22,589 up in a couple of rooms, that room 229 00:08:22,589 --> 00:08:24,290 gets better UV coverage 230 00:08:24,865 --> 00:08:27,024 and we don't have a person to have 231 00:08:27,024 --> 00:08:29,284 to deal with that, and we can treat 232 00:08:29,345 --> 00:08:30,324 more rooms. 233 00:08:31,425 --> 00:08:33,184 Got it. That's really helpful to know. Thank 234 00:08:33,184 --> 00:08:34,625 you so much for digging a little bit 235 00:08:34,625 --> 00:08:36,945 deeper there. Now I'm wondering, how are you 236 00:08:36,945 --> 00:08:38,784 thinking about growth and adding value to the 237 00:08:38,784 --> 00:08:39,845 health system overall? 238 00:08:41,159 --> 00:08:43,080 Again, it's it's a lot of it through 239 00:08:43,080 --> 00:08:45,799 this. What can we do to just really 240 00:08:45,799 --> 00:08:48,519 make sure that, you know, people are the 241 00:08:48,519 --> 00:08:51,480 expensive part? That is our expensive resource. Yes. 242 00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:52,779 Supplies cost money, 243 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:55,845 and those are also very expensive. But in 244 00:08:55,845 --> 00:08:57,284 the grand scheme of things, we need to 245 00:08:57,284 --> 00:08:58,904 invest in our people. Right? 246 00:08:59,205 --> 00:09:01,764 That has a lot of overhead when we 247 00:09:01,764 --> 00:09:03,684 have to think about the benefits that those 248 00:09:03,684 --> 00:09:06,184 people require. It's not just their total compensation 249 00:09:06,245 --> 00:09:08,790 and their hourly wage. If somebody gets hurt, 250 00:09:08,790 --> 00:09:10,870 all those things that come around with that. 251 00:09:10,870 --> 00:09:13,509 But, also, it's our most valuable resource because 252 00:09:13,509 --> 00:09:15,370 if we've invested in our people, 253 00:09:15,750 --> 00:09:16,490 our caregivers, 254 00:09:17,110 --> 00:09:18,710 you know, we don't want them to go 255 00:09:18,710 --> 00:09:20,410 somewhere else where they're unhappy 256 00:09:20,870 --> 00:09:22,889 or, you know, because they're unhappy here. 257 00:09:23,995 --> 00:09:26,475 So that said, if we can do what 258 00:09:26,475 --> 00:09:28,875 we need to do to keep them happy 259 00:09:28,875 --> 00:09:30,975 and at work to care for the people 260 00:09:31,274 --> 00:09:33,274 that come through our doors and do so 261 00:09:33,274 --> 00:09:33,774 efficiently 262 00:09:34,075 --> 00:09:36,495 so that we can give everybody the care 263 00:09:36,794 --> 00:09:37,855 that they need, 264 00:09:38,279 --> 00:09:41,000 you know, volume cures all. If we can 265 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,320 get more folks in the door, we can 266 00:09:43,320 --> 00:09:45,800 make more revenue too, but also the greater 267 00:09:45,800 --> 00:09:48,620 good is served because more patients are treated 268 00:09:49,080 --> 00:09:49,580 efficiently. 269 00:09:50,360 --> 00:09:52,995 And they're not waiting until they're super sick 270 00:09:53,475 --> 00:09:55,634 or the last minute to come in and 271 00:09:55,634 --> 00:09:57,495 receive this care. So, 272 00:09:58,355 --> 00:10:01,414 really, the focus is making sure that we 273 00:10:02,514 --> 00:10:06,355 don't eliminate work for those human resources that 274 00:10:06,355 --> 00:10:08,695 we have, but truly make 275 00:10:09,209 --> 00:10:11,549 their jobs as easy as possible 276 00:10:12,009 --> 00:10:14,329 because health care is tough enough. And if 277 00:10:14,329 --> 00:10:16,189 there's anything that we can alleviate 278 00:10:16,889 --> 00:10:19,129 by making sure that they have an added 279 00:10:19,129 --> 00:10:21,610 resource to do what they got into health 280 00:10:21,610 --> 00:10:23,689 care to do, which is take care of 281 00:10:23,689 --> 00:10:24,189 people, 282 00:10:25,024 --> 00:10:27,285 that's where our focus needs to be. 283 00:10:28,304 --> 00:10:29,585 That makes a lot of sense. And, you 284 00:10:29,585 --> 00:10:31,745 know, it is really a helpful way in 285 00:10:31,745 --> 00:10:33,585 benchmark to think about how you can make 286 00:10:33,585 --> 00:10:36,225 an impact, both in terms of the quality 287 00:10:36,225 --> 00:10:37,710 of care as well as the, 288 00:10:38,190 --> 00:10:40,830 financial challenges, you know, that are very real 289 00:10:40,830 --> 00:10:43,629 for many hospitals and health systems overall. And, 290 00:10:43,629 --> 00:10:45,470 you know, thinking about that, I I know, 291 00:10:45,629 --> 00:10:47,550 for a lot of our listeners, margins are 292 00:10:47,550 --> 00:10:49,250 tightening, and they're really seeing, 293 00:10:49,790 --> 00:10:52,875 you know, some financial challenges ahead. But what 294 00:10:52,875 --> 00:10:54,794 is one risk or investment that you still 295 00:10:54,794 --> 00:10:56,955 think is worth making over the next twelve 296 00:10:56,955 --> 00:10:59,195 months or so, you know, to make sure 297 00:10:59,195 --> 00:11:01,355 that you're in a good position to be 298 00:11:01,355 --> 00:11:03,215 successful and thrive in the future? 299 00:11:04,394 --> 00:11:06,254 Something in your IT department 300 00:11:06,715 --> 00:11:08,575 and and beef up your infrastructure 301 00:11:09,250 --> 00:11:11,490 to be ready for that. You know, with 302 00:11:11,490 --> 00:11:12,789 these margins tightening, 303 00:11:13,970 --> 00:11:15,190 we don't know what 304 00:11:15,730 --> 00:11:16,230 the 305 00:11:16,850 --> 00:11:18,309 big beautiful bill 306 00:11:18,850 --> 00:11:21,829 is going to bring us as far as 307 00:11:22,524 --> 00:11:24,865 what those margins mean. If we are 308 00:11:25,245 --> 00:11:28,205 cutting Medicare and Medicaid, that is going to 309 00:11:28,205 --> 00:11:29,345 affect our reimbursements. 310 00:11:30,125 --> 00:11:31,264 That is going to 311 00:11:31,644 --> 00:11:35,725 affect people more so in rural areas than 312 00:11:35,725 --> 00:11:36,784 it is those metropolitan 313 00:11:37,245 --> 00:11:37,745 areas, 314 00:11:38,129 --> 00:11:39,269 and we may 315 00:11:39,730 --> 00:11:40,230 have 316 00:11:40,610 --> 00:11:41,670 hospital closures 317 00:11:42,129 --> 00:11:43,590 because of these tighter 318 00:11:44,210 --> 00:11:45,750 margins and and 319 00:11:46,129 --> 00:11:48,769 you know, that are already tight and less 320 00:11:48,769 --> 00:11:51,170 reimbursement. And so those areas are gonna be 321 00:11:51,170 --> 00:11:52,230 affected first. 322 00:11:52,754 --> 00:11:55,174 So that leaves us an opportunity 323 00:11:56,754 --> 00:11:58,754 to still make sure that people get this 324 00:11:58,754 --> 00:12:01,154 care. They may not be able to drive 325 00:12:01,154 --> 00:12:03,075 to a hospital that's an hour and a 326 00:12:03,075 --> 00:12:05,875 half away instead of having one thirty minutes 327 00:12:05,875 --> 00:12:07,654 away. Maybe it's three hours. 328 00:12:08,279 --> 00:12:09,580 So looking into 329 00:12:10,759 --> 00:12:11,659 IT infrastructure 330 00:12:12,039 --> 00:12:13,820 to make sure that you have, 331 00:12:14,360 --> 00:12:17,959 you know, safe firewalls and bandwidth and Wi 332 00:12:17,959 --> 00:12:18,459 Fi 333 00:12:18,919 --> 00:12:19,419 and 334 00:12:20,554 --> 00:12:21,054 telehealth 335 00:12:21,514 --> 00:12:24,335 platforms. That's really where we need to focus. 336 00:12:24,875 --> 00:12:27,294 There's also a big shift in health care 337 00:12:27,514 --> 00:12:28,894 that really was 338 00:12:29,674 --> 00:12:33,195 just amplified with COVID and did so rapid 339 00:12:33,195 --> 00:12:35,455 fire. I know I was working on projects 340 00:12:35,540 --> 00:12:36,440 prior to COVID 341 00:12:36,740 --> 00:12:37,639 for telehealth 342 00:12:38,100 --> 00:12:40,200 because, you know, in 2017, 343 00:12:40,340 --> 00:12:42,360 2018, it was in its infancy, 344 00:12:43,059 --> 00:12:43,559 but 345 00:12:44,179 --> 00:12:45,240 COVID really 346 00:12:45,620 --> 00:12:47,160 ramped that up for us. 347 00:12:47,540 --> 00:12:48,995 There's gonna be opportunity 348 00:12:49,455 --> 00:12:51,934 for these folks in these rural areas to 349 00:12:51,934 --> 00:12:53,554 be able to receive telemedicine. 350 00:12:54,654 --> 00:12:57,475 So making sure that health care organizations 351 00:12:58,495 --> 00:13:01,215 have avenues for that to still get people 352 00:13:01,215 --> 00:13:02,514 the treatment they need. 353 00:13:02,829 --> 00:13:04,750 You know, laws vary from state to state, 354 00:13:04,750 --> 00:13:06,909 so making sure that you've got somebody in 355 00:13:06,909 --> 00:13:10,110 your legal department who understands what telehealth looks 356 00:13:10,110 --> 00:13:12,029 like to make sure that they can do 357 00:13:12,029 --> 00:13:13,250 that in their state. 358 00:13:13,870 --> 00:13:16,209 But, you know, we even have things like, 359 00:13:16,669 --> 00:13:17,490 you know, remote 360 00:13:18,154 --> 00:13:19,774 ICU, tele ICU. 361 00:13:20,394 --> 00:13:23,835 So we can do this with folks that 362 00:13:23,835 --> 00:13:26,254 monitor this even from a remote location 363 00:13:27,195 --> 00:13:29,850 to make sure that we can get folks 364 00:13:29,850 --> 00:13:31,610 the care that they need. Yes. There needs 365 00:13:31,610 --> 00:13:34,029 to be somebody physically there with these people, 366 00:13:34,409 --> 00:13:36,909 but we can make sure that the content 367 00:13:37,289 --> 00:13:37,789 experts 368 00:13:38,329 --> 00:13:41,549 and subject matter experts are able to 369 00:13:41,929 --> 00:13:42,429 provide 370 00:13:43,004 --> 00:13:46,045 remote care if possible. You know, when we 371 00:13:46,045 --> 00:13:48,465 look at things like even robotic surgery, 372 00:13:49,165 --> 00:13:51,165 there are ways to do that where we 373 00:13:51,165 --> 00:13:52,625 can do remote surgery. 374 00:13:53,085 --> 00:13:54,304 We have the technology 375 00:13:54,684 --> 00:13:55,184 capable. 376 00:13:55,830 --> 00:13:58,790 Sometimes laws and infrastructure keep us from doing 377 00:13:58,790 --> 00:14:02,070 that, but really making sure that we're prepared 378 00:14:02,070 --> 00:14:04,070 for what comes next to make sure that 379 00:14:04,070 --> 00:14:05,930 people get the care that they need. 380 00:14:06,870 --> 00:14:08,309 Got it. That makes a lot of sense. 381 00:14:08,309 --> 00:14:10,649 You know? It is really important aspect, 382 00:14:10,995 --> 00:14:12,294 in space to, 383 00:14:12,914 --> 00:14:14,835 invest in because if you don't have those 384 00:14:14,835 --> 00:14:17,254 right firewalls and infrastructure in place, 385 00:14:17,715 --> 00:14:20,115 it it can make a a really challenging 386 00:14:20,115 --> 00:14:22,115 if you do have a cyber incident or 387 00:14:22,115 --> 00:14:23,335 or other things. So, 388 00:14:23,794 --> 00:14:25,875 I I really appreciate that. And then looking 389 00:14:25,875 --> 00:14:29,049 into the future of telehealth, virtual care, and, 390 00:14:29,370 --> 00:14:31,850 just all the possibilities of how technology can 391 00:14:31,850 --> 00:14:33,610 connect us in different ways and have different 392 00:14:33,610 --> 00:14:34,429 access points, 393 00:14:35,209 --> 00:14:36,909 to you know, I I, 394 00:14:37,449 --> 00:14:40,089 I'm excited about that future, but I know 395 00:14:40,089 --> 00:14:42,964 it's, you know, something that takes easier said 396 00:14:42,964 --> 00:14:44,485 than done done in some ways, not only 397 00:14:44,485 --> 00:14:46,485 from the technology side, but just getting all 398 00:14:46,485 --> 00:14:49,204 all the people change management and transformation there 399 00:14:49,204 --> 00:14:52,245 as well. Yeah. Excellent. Well, before we wrap 400 00:14:52,245 --> 00:14:54,404 up here, I have one more question. Where 401 00:14:54,404 --> 00:14:56,024 do you see some of the best opportunities 402 00:14:56,245 --> 00:14:57,990 for growth in the next two to three 403 00:14:57,990 --> 00:14:58,889 years or so? 404 00:14:59,750 --> 00:15:02,009 It's definitely gonna be in 405 00:15:02,389 --> 00:15:04,410 that sort of IT space. 406 00:15:05,430 --> 00:15:07,290 I'm seeing some really cool 407 00:15:07,670 --> 00:15:08,810 things come out 408 00:15:09,444 --> 00:15:11,065 that solve a lot of problems, 409 00:15:11,684 --> 00:15:13,544 whether it's robotic surgery 410 00:15:14,004 --> 00:15:14,504 or 411 00:15:15,125 --> 00:15:19,845 program overlays with visualization of cameras. Like, there 412 00:15:19,845 --> 00:15:21,065 are some really 413 00:15:21,839 --> 00:15:25,299 awesome companies coming out, sometimes rewriting 414 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:28,819 laws and standards of practice 415 00:15:29,440 --> 00:15:29,940 to 416 00:15:30,639 --> 00:15:32,559 get some of this technology where it needs. 417 00:15:32,559 --> 00:15:34,579 There are a lot of up and coming 418 00:15:34,639 --> 00:15:35,139 things, 419 00:15:35,625 --> 00:15:38,205 Sometimes even changing the way we do sterilization 420 00:15:38,745 --> 00:15:39,245 because 421 00:15:39,865 --> 00:15:42,745 people have invented new methods that are even 422 00:15:42,745 --> 00:15:45,544 better than the standard methods we've used in 423 00:15:45,544 --> 00:15:47,544 the past that they've had to get FTA 424 00:15:47,544 --> 00:15:51,019 approval for. So I'm just really excited because 425 00:15:51,019 --> 00:15:53,659 there are so many different things, but so 426 00:15:53,659 --> 00:15:56,000 many of them are technology based 427 00:15:56,539 --> 00:15:58,000 to get people to care 428 00:15:58,620 --> 00:15:59,919 where they need it. 429 00:16:00,539 --> 00:16:02,379 I love that. Well, thank you so much 430 00:16:02,379 --> 00:16:03,980 for joining us today, Jamie. This has been 431 00:16:03,980 --> 00:16:05,784 a really fun conversation, and I look forward 432 00:16:05,784 --> 00:16:07,324 to connecting with you again soon. 433 00:16:07,625 --> 00:16:09,625 Thank you so much. I very much appreciate 434 00:16:09,625 --> 00:16:10,284 the opportunity. 435 00:16:12,824 --> 00:16:15,704 At athena Health, we know your ambulatory practice 436 00:16:15,704 --> 00:16:16,605 wants healthier, 437 00:16:17,065 --> 00:16:19,865 a healthier business, healthier care teams, and healthier 438 00:16:19,865 --> 00:16:20,365 patients. 439 00:16:20,850 --> 00:16:23,329 But the complexities of modern healthcare tech make 440 00:16:23,329 --> 00:16:25,329 it hard for you and your care teams 441 00:16:25,329 --> 00:16:26,870 to focus on what matters most. 442 00:16:27,329 --> 00:16:29,029 That's where athenahealth can help. 443 00:16:29,409 --> 00:16:32,129 Our AI native all in one solutions reduce 444 00:16:32,129 --> 00:16:33,269 administrative burdens, 445 00:16:33,570 --> 00:16:36,585 streamline billing and payments, and deliver critical insights 446 00:16:36,585 --> 00:16:39,465 when clinicians need it most. 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