Penn Highlands Healthcare operates as a remote care system catering to numerous critically ill patients with limited resources, facing significant constraints in terms of professional staffing. Consequently, the stress levels within the system are notably high.
Core Challenge
Penn Highlands sought to alleviate the stress experienced by doctors and enhance the attractiveness of these positions to potential candidates.
Dr. Renee Allenbaugh, the clinical director at Penn Highlands Healthcare, highlighted, “The administrative stress and the long workdays are the primary concerns for me when considering burnout and its impact. Studies have shown that clinicians often need more than 24 hours a day to fulfill their patient care duties and documentation requirements.”
She emphasized the challenges faced due to limited resources, stating, “When resources are scarce, there is insufficient time to gather comprehensive patient histories, collaborate with medical teams, keep patients and families informed, and devise and implement action plans while ensuring compliance with government regulations and various payers.”
Penn Highlands sought change due to the overwhelming documentation demands and administrative burdens.
According to Allenbaugh, “Hospitalists were overworked, sacrificing personal time with family and friends, and neglecting self-care. We sought a solution centered around clinicians. While numerous remedies existed, many were technology-centric and misaligned with our actual clinical practices.”
She further explained, “Our goal was to identify a solution that truly centered around doctors, enhancing productivity, and elevating the quality and accuracy of our documentation.”
Proposed Solution
Penn Highlands opted for a “copilot” technology from Respect, a vendor powered by AI, seamlessly integrated into the electronic health records of service organizations.
Allenbaugh elaborated, “The technology is highly focused on supporting doctors, serving as an AI assistant that efficiently gathers and presents information, reducing workload, and adapting to individual preferences and medical standards.”
She highlighted the technology’s capabilities, stating, “The AI tool seamlessly integrates with our Accenture EHR, analyzing the entire health record to update or suggest diagnoses based on clinically relevant data. It goes beyond mere dictation, extracting information that would otherwise be time-consuming to retrieve.”
Allenbaugh noted the challenges posed by limited health literacy in their service area, emphasizing the importance of streamlined access to patient information.
She emphasized, “Accessing fragmented data across multiple systems can be arduous and time-consuming. The AI technology functions as a valuable aide, complementing clinical judgment by mining EHR data for clinically significant insights.”
Outcomes
Penn Highlands implemented the Respect AI technology in September 2021, yielding significant results.
Allenbaugh reported, “After nine months, a study conducted by Respect involving 30 users across five hospitals demonstrated a \(3 million revenue improvement. Internally, we observed a \)7 million revenue increase, attributed to a 10% rise in the case mix index, reflecting patient complexity and resource utilization.”
The case mix index, established by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, determines reimbursement levels based on patient complexity and resource needs.
Allenbaugh emphasized the correlation between comprehensive documentation, patient complexity, and revenue generation. Proper documentation reflecting patient acuity and resource utilization directly impacts reimbursement rates, contributing to the observed revenue growth.
The $7 million revenue increment was calculated based on the case mix index alone, contrasting with Respect’s methodology, which factored in chronic condition capture rates. The analysis spanned the two years pre-implementation of AI systems and the subsequent 12 months.
Insights for Others
Allenbaugh stressed the importance of considering end-users when adopting technology, particularly in healthcare settings.
She emphasized, “Engaging doctors in the technology adoption process is crucial, as it not only enhances evidence-based practices but also influences workflow efficiency, significantly benefiting physicians.”
Reflecting on their experience, Allenbaugh noted, “The technology substantially streamlined our documentation processes, reducing documentation time by approximately two hours per provider daily. However, this transformation required meticulous planning to integrate the technology seamlessly into existing workflows.”
She cautioned against the pitfalls of deploying technology without adequate training and workflow alignment, underscoring the need for a strategic approach to maximize the technology’s effectiveness.
For more information on Bill Siwicki’s Strike cover, please visit his LinkedIn profile.
Contact Bill Siwicki via email at [email protected].
Explore HIMSS Media’s Healthcare IT News for industry updates.
