Award Winning Hospital Enhances Cardiovascular Patient Outcomes & Improves Financial Performance
Client Profile
Since the early 1900s, Mercy General Hospital, part of the Dignity Health system, has served the community of East Sacramento with 304 licensed acute care beds, 16 Emergency Department beds and nearly 400 physicians. Mercy General is recognized as one of the Best Regional Hospitals in California and rated High Performing in four specialties by US News & World Report.
Situation
The specialists at Mercy General had been recently employed by the Mercy Foundation, a nonprofit philanthropic partner of the hospital. The CEO hoped that with the tighter alignment of the physicians within the Foundation that joint goals for patient improvement would follow. However, this was not the case and their continued processes led to higher costs of care. Thus, the CEO of Mercy General sought ways to engage the Foundation physicians of the prestigious Mercy Hospital Heart & Vascular Center to enhance cardiac care and better manage costs.
Solution
Mercy General engaged Dynafios to develop and execute a co-management agreement with five physicians at Mercy Hospital Heart & Vascular Center. One of the largest cardiovascular surgery programs in the county, this group of physicians performed advanced procedures like Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), and collaborated to bring a more disciplinary approach to clinical care. Inefficiencies were identified and the physicians were tasked to develop and agree to a set of key performance indicators to improve clinical care. These indicators were monitored and measured monthly. In parallel, the nursing staff was educated on procedures and mentors were added to assist in elevating the visibility of nursing quality.
Results
At the conclusion of the co-management agreement, the hospital achieved $937,000 in cost savings and significantly improved patient outcomes. Mercy General continues to receive accolades and is now a top 100 hospital for cardiovascular care, a top 50 hospital for best cardiac surgery, has earned the Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award and the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of ApprovalTM.
In addition, co-management key performance indicators reported the following:
- Lowered post-op atrial fibrillation by 26%
- Reduced cases for “Do Not Extubate” orders by 57%
- Increased First Case On Time Starts by 27%
- Lowered operating room duration for value surgeries by 16%
- Reduction in Critical Care usage variation by 73%
- Decreased blood usage per case by $492
Improved Performance on Physician-Specific Targets
CABG Post Op Critical Care
