Becker's Hospital Review

21 patients providers are able to see each day. In fact, the vast majority of healthcare executives and providers — 81 per- cent — report interest in telehealth as a method to expand their digital health services, according to a Foley & Lardner survey. Many executives at the Leadership Forum expressed interest in launching telehealth services at their organizations or ex- panding programs already in place. e COO of an academic health system in the Midwest said his organization recently merged with a community health system with a large ambulatory care presence. Because the hospital maintained its own facilities, the health system could avoid constructing new outpatient care sites. Howev- er, the system has struggled to get physicians to some of the more remote outpatient clinics. He said the health system is considering entering the telehealth field to overcome this challenge. Other executives said their organizations have increased rev- enue by offering telehealth services at ambulatory care sites since providers in most states are reimbursed at the same rate for telehealth visits as they are for in-office visits. 3. Improve utilization of current assets. e shi from inpatient to outpatient care has le some provider or- ganizations with facilities and beds that are no longer finan- cially productive. However, many times these facilities can be transformed into an ambulatory center that is profitable. In addition to the financial benefits, converting a hospital into an ambulatory center can also expand access to in-de- mand outpatient services, which is a top priority for many healthcare leaders. According to 183 health system C-suite executives surveyed by the Advisory Board, expanding pa- tient access to outpatient or ambulatory care settings is a top priority for 2017. During the Leadership Forum, several executives expressed interest in expanding their ambulatory networks. e CFO of a 14-hospital system in the Midwest described her system as "hospital-centric." However, she said the organization's strategy is changing. "We don't need more hospitals, we need more ambulatory centers. Our focus is on conversion of our existing assets and expansion in the ambulatory setting," she said. Conclusion As inpatient volumes in many markets remain flat or decline and the industry shis toward value-based payment models, it's critical for health systems to provide convenient access to ambulatory services. Although it can be challenging, developing and executing a strong ambulatory care strategy is vital in today's healthcare environment and benefits both providers and patients. n 3,100+ ATTENDEES FROM HOSPITALS AND HEALTH SYSTEMS ACROSS THE NATION REGISTER BY MARCH 1, 2018 AND SAVE! George W. Bush 43rd President of the United States of America President Bill Clinton Founder of the Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States of America CELEBRITY KEYNOTES BY 9TH ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 11-14, 2018 HYATT REGENCY | CHICAGO, ILLINOIS REGISTER HERE www.beckershospitalreview.com/conference registration@beckershealthcare.com, jcole@beckershealthcare.com, sbecker@ beckershealthcare.com or 800.417.2035. Great topics and speakers focused on strategy, health system alignment and growth, physician integration, improving profitability, ACOs, key specialties and more 275+ HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SYSTEM EXECUTIVES SPEAKING OVER 320 SPEAKERS TOTAL SPONSORED CONTENT

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