Long-Term Care: An Opportunity for Innovation
The impact of an aging population is beginning to challenge the healthcare system’s providers, payers and policymakers. Services for the elderly are undergoing significant change and innovation.
At the Center for Innovation in the Business of Health Care (CIBH), we search for revolutionary solutions to the challenges facing the health care system today. We study health care business platforms with the purpose of providing innovative management solutions for business modeling, analytics and leadership. Our projects focus on change management, operations research, digital healthcare and joint problem-solving with industry experts.
One of our primary focuses at the CIBH is on identifying and facilitating change in the value chain. The health care value chain includes populations, patients/consumers, providers of care, suppliers (medical devices, pharmaceutical, IT, etc.), and payers and purchasers of care. It is influenced by the government and education.
All these moving parts in the value chain are considered in our research. Our projects seek to apply concepts gleaned from other industries that have developed sophisticated supply chains and organizational relationships to the business of healthcare. Our end goal is to create an innovation platform that revolutionizes the health care value chain.
The Center launched roundtable innovation and salon sessions in 2016. Together, regional health care executive leaders work to bridge health care silos and use collective thinking to reimagine care delivery.
The impact of an aging population is beginning to challenge the healthcare system’s providers, payers and policymakers. Services for the elderly are undergoing significant change and innovation.
Geographic disparity in health status has been established for many years, but policymakers have found it difficult to enact new, politically acceptable legislation that would address social determinants of health. However, the movement to value-based purchasing and capitation has spurred innovation in both healthcare delivery and policy.
The challenge of rising health care costs continues to be a prominent issue. New concepts and initiatives at the state level and in the employment sector are paving the way for healthcare executives to influence health policy.
In 2018, one of our Roundtable Sessions featured Emily Piper, the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). She shared information on Outcomes-Based Purchasing Redesign and the Next Generation Integrated Health Partnership Program serving Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) populations. Participants learned about efforts in Minnesota to expand collaborative provider partnerships – working across specialties and service settings to deliver more efficient and effective health care.
To explore how the emerging “blockchain” technology may unlock the benefits of value-based health care models, the University of St. Thomas, Opus College of Business and U.S. Bank, Innovation Research and Development held a health care innovation salon on December 6, 2016.
Participants shared the learnings from the financial services industry in blockchain prototyping to understand how their experiences could be leveraged to advance technology innovations in health care.
Participants at the meeting left with an understanding of:
The University of St. Thomas hosted an innovation session in January 2018 for a network of health care experts from health systems, research and patient advocacy organizations, payors, universities and the medical device industry. The group discussed optimizing the treatment of peripheral artery disease with a focus on patient-centered outcomes, patient activation, an aligned health and wellness network and information exchange.
Adjunct Faculty, Operations and Supply Chain Management
dbmclaughlin@stthomas.edu
(651) 962-4143
Daniel McLaughlin, M.H.A, is active in teaching, research and speaking at the university, with a special emphasis on health care operations and policy.
Professor, Operations and Supply Chain Management
jrolson2@stthomas.edu
(651) 962-4079
John Olson is the director of health care research and also teaches in the undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in the Opus College of Business. His current research is focused on quality management and continuous improvement in health care systems.
Director of Health Care Outreach
dela7421@stthomas.edu
(651) 962-5128
Marcella de la Torre is the director of health care outreach for the Opus College of Business and a member of the Center for Innovation in the Business of Health Care. Prior to joining the University of St. Thomas, she held leadership positions in quality management, LEAN, medical education, and faculty development. Dr. de la Torre is celebrated for her leadership in advancing medical education.