Direct Line from Max Buetow for 6/9/2023

June 9, 2023

AI and the future of health care

What would it have been like to be at the beginning of the industrial revolution? People in those times may have known a change was coming, but they had no way to fully understand what it would mean.

That is the position we are in today with the rise of artificial intelligence. It’s a hot-button issue across all industries, and we are just beginning to see the potential implications.

This week, we dedicated our administrative team meeting to a thorough discussion of AI. It’s part of an ongoing effort led by Amanda Hedgpeth and Dr. Staci Rogers to help us set aside time in our meetings for conversations about topics that will affect our future.

As we heard from Martha Ross, administrative director of data and analytics, and Patrick Murfee, our Chief Technology Officer, it is clear that while AI can do a lot, it works best as an enhancement to the work only humans can perform.

It is that blend of technology and humanity that will produce an uplift and positive change in health care.

You see that in our Virtual Care Team project that launched this week. The new technology allows nurses to support bedside care by monitoring patients remotely from a command center at Cox South. Skilled nurses and other clinical team members work closely with our bedside teams, supported by AI. The technology helps track and report data, allowing our clinical teams to make the best decisions.

It’s a new frontier, and we know we are just beginning to scratch the surface of how AI can help us. Some people may fear that AI will reduce the human touch of work, but, in health care, it is just the opposite.

With the support of AI and other technology, our colleagues are able to focus more on face-to-face interactions, customer service, and direct patient care. I think about how there may be a day soon when voice chatbots help patients schedule appointments, which means our registration specialists in our facilities will be able to focus entirely on the patients in front of them, rather than being tethered to the phone. Ultimately, by blending technology with our work, we can create efficiency and give our teams the time to make health care more personal.

If AI can help automate repetitive tasks – from processing insurance claims to drafting policy language – it will help free our teams to work at the top of their skillsets.

These technologies will shape our lives, and I am grateful we are taking the time to lead our executive team in conversations that help us reflect on the big picture and think more strategically.

I am proud that I work in an organization that has these cutting-edge conversations, and that we are having monthly discussions to encourage thoughts about the future. I want CoxHealth to be in the best position possible to take advantage of all technology has to offer. These conversations help set us up for success.

It is important for us to be proactive and ingest information from outside the walls of the organization – that is vital to being the best for those who need us.

Transforming care with our Virtual Care Team

Our new Virtual Care Team went live on Tuesday, bringing expert virtual care support to our bedside teams, provided from a new on-site command center at Cox South. We have added the technology to every inpatient ICU and Medical-Surgical patient room at Cox South and Cox Medical Center Branson, and we are adding mobile carts in Cox North, Meyer Orthopedic & Rehabilitation Hospital, Cox Monett and Cox Barton County.

I was so pleased to see the nurse managers on the project beam with pride as they explained how this will advance care and improve the lives of nurses, physicians, patients and their families.

I am grateful for all of the collaboration that has made this possible – from our care teams and our technology partners at Philips, to our IT colleagues and the CoxHealth Foundation, which secured grand funding to support the effort.

Our culture of collaboration and innovation is reflected in this project, and it positions us well for the future. You can see the full story of the Virtual Care Team on coxhealth.com.

Trina Hargis named vice president of nursing for Community Hospital Group

This week, we announced a changing of the guard in nursing leadership for our Community Hospital Group. Trina Hargis will be the next vice president of nursing for our Community Hospital Group as current VP Lynne Yaggy nears her retirement, after a 42-year career at CoxHealth.

I am proud to see Trina, who has most recently led our urgent cares and has served in our Clinical Decision Unit, be promoted into this position. She is well known for developing teams and pursuing transformational solutions for improved patient care.

At the same time, I am grateful to Lynne for her years of dedication to her teams, her patients, and our organization. She has invested her professional life to serve her colleagues and community, and her impact will continue to be felt for years to come. I wish Lynne the very best in her well-deserved retirement!

You can see the full announcement at this link.

BJC and St. Luke’s: Two winning health systems join forces

Two major players in Missouri health care, BJC HealthCare and St. Luke’s Health System, have announced plans to come together to serve our state’s patients. It is exciting to see two organizations we have developed good relationships with join forces around a common mission.

It’s a partnership that makes sense. Health care is in a dynamic state, and we have to be able to adapt and change. It’s worth noting that these are two high-performing systems looking for synergy. As they combine their strengths, they will be able to better serve patients.

And, of course, any time something like this happens, we get the question: “Is CoxHealth next?” The simple answer is no; we have not been approached to be nor have we contemplated becoming a part of another health system.

That said, because of our relationships with BJC and St. Luke’s, we will be able to contribute to – and benefit from – this partnership. We are constantly seeking ways to collaborate, and this is no exception. Whether it is through our current membership in the BJC Collaborative or with our friends at Mercy, we intend to be extremely collaborative going forward.

I credit the leaders of those organizations for moving toward such a dynamic solution for their communities, and I am looking forward to working together!

Voice of the Patient

Adapted from inpatient feedback at Cox Barton County: “I want to give a special thanks to Keilah and Amy, they are my favorite nurses. They gave me great care!”

Thank you for all you do,

Max