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Securing the Future for a Major Academic Cardiovascular Program: Hardwiring a Referral Network and Preparing for a
Susan S Smyth1, David Moliterno1, Rick McClure1
1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gill Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
Insights
The University of Kentucky
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Healthcare Management
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- The University of Kentucky College of Medicine and Albert B. Chandler Hospital faced significant clinical, academic, and financial challenges in the early 2000s.
- Cardiovascular (CV) services were particularly affected, capturing only 11% of regional cardiac hospitalizations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the strategic plans and initiatives implemented to transform cardiovascular services.
- To detail the growth in clinical and academic services over 15 years.
- To outline future value-based healthcare initiatives.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of strategic planning and implementation processes within cardiovascular services.
- Evaluation of market share changes and regional partnerships.
- Review of clinical and academic development initiatives.
Main Results:
- Cardiovascular services experienced a dynamic transformation over 15 years.
- Market share increased from 11% to 42% of regional cardiac hospitalizations.
- A large network of regional partners was established.
Conclusions:
- Strategic initiatives successfully revitalized cardiovascular services, leading to significant market share growth.
- The transformation demonstrates a successful model for academic medical centers facing clinical and financial challenges.
- Future efforts will focus on value-based care models.
Abstract:
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine and Albert B. Chandler Hospital opened over 50 years ago to serve Kentucky. After initial growth and expansion, both were struggling clinically, academically, and financially in the early 2000s. Difficulties were apparent in cardiovascular (CV) services, which captured only 11% of the regional patients hospitalized for cardiac disease. Over the next 15 years, CV services dynamically transformed to become the leading provider with a large network of regional partners, garnering 42% of market share. This article describes strategic plans and initiatives leading to clinical and academic growth. Future value-based initiatives are also described.
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