Leaders in Innovation
I just returned from a visit to Anchorage where I spent some time with Marc Pierson and Mary Minniti from PeaceHealth/Pursuing Perfection. Their visit was meant to continue the collaboration they have started with Dr Doug Eby and staff at the Primary Care Center of the Southcentral Foundation. http://www.southcentralfoundation.org/index.cfm Marc and Mary also followed up on the coordination the Alaska Federal Healthcare Partnership (AFHCP) did during our visit to Bellingham in September. Here's my brief synopsis of our talks:
Doug Eby and his staff have established the most comprehensive approach to delivering primary care I have ever seen. Or read of in journals/texts. Appointing, staff training, waiting area design, automation, etc are all covered in their design. Here's the key point I took away from seeing their arrangement: measure EVERYTHING. But not only measuring each aspect of their system, but posting the results for all the staff to see. If I have one regret from my trip its that I didn't get to spend more time asking questions from Dr Eby and his staff of dedicated professionals. One other observation: everyone was genuinely upbeat and positive. Take a tour through the backoffices of other clinics and listen to the dialogue and get a feel for the 'morale' of folks. My bet is you'll feel either a neutral or slightly business-like cloud hanging in the organization.
Marc and his crew continue to push the envelope with what they are doing. The trip to Alaska is an example where his organization is seeking to take the best of others and apply it to Whatcom County. Many organizations tout that they have a "learning perspective" but few set aside budget money for visits to other organizations just to learn. The symbiosis that will result in Whatcom + Southcentral will be amazing to watch. I hope to remain a part of this effort in some fashion.
The Alaskan Federal Healthcare Access Network (AFHCAN--the telemedicine system up here) is sponsoring an international conference on telehealth. The conference will be held in Anchorage on the 4 & 5th of March. http://www.ruralhealthconference.com/telehealth.htm takes you to their website. I will be there with several of our telehealth staff from our organization. If you are planning on attending drop me a line.
12:31:17 PM 
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