Partners Signature Initiatives to Improve Patient Care
As part of the sixth annual Partners Physicians Day, Partners HealthCare President and CEO James Mongan, MD, addressed more than 500 physicians to update them on the system's Signature Initiatives-a five-to ten-year effort to transform what is already one of the leading academic and clinical health care systems and take its quality of care to an even higher level.
“Partners was established to be an integrated health care delivery system that provides care that is safer, more reliable and better coordinated,” Mongan said. “The Signature Initiatives move us closer to that goal.”
“We must provide the best care with the best possible outcome to every patient in the Partners system. And we must demonstrate quality, not just assert it,” he said.
In its first decade, Partners focused on creating the anatomy of the system, Mongan said. Now, in its second decade, the system needs to work on its physiology through system-wide functions that add value and blend optimal quality with effective and efficient use of resources.
Under the Signature Initiatives, five teams have been established to maximize the use of new information technology, increase patient safety and reduce medical errors, make high quality uniform across the Partners system, better coordinate the care of patients with high-cost diseases, and improve efficiency in the use of medications and radiology. A major focus will be on increasing the use of electronic medical records and inpatient order entry systems.
“Strong leadership is the key to our success,” said Mongan. “I commend the physicians and other professionals who are spearheading our improvement efforts.” The Signature Initiatives leadership team includes BWH and PCHI's Jessica Dudley (Trend Management); PCHI's Cynthia Bero (IS Infrastructure); MGH's Gregg Meyer, MD (Patient Safety); MGH's Elizabeth Mort, MD (Uniform High Quality); and MGH's Timothy Ferris, MD (Disease Management) Heading up the effort are PHS Network President and PCHI CEO Dr. Thomas Lee and Sheridan Kassirer, Partners vice president for Quality Management and Clinical Programs.
“The success of the five Signature Initiatives will over time grant physicians the ability to provide better care for their patients, gain more control over professional decisions and realize enhanced reimbursement,” he said. Mongan explained that improved support systems (including system-wide adoption of the electronic medical record), a proactive stance on setting standards and pay for performance contracting will help physicians realize these goals.
In closing, Mongan said, “Through these initiatives, Partners has the potential to serve as a national model of what can be accomplished in assuring value.”
Mongan's remarks were followed by a full day of education sessions for the 500 physicians who attended the February 12 program in Boston.