Tampa General Hospital Embraces Home-Based Care Delivery
Tampa General Hospital, a leading healthcare provider in Florida, is revolutionizing the way it delivers care by shifting its focus to the patient’s home. Driven by the belief that engagement and active participation are essential for improved health outcomes, the hospital has launched a hospital-at-home program aimed at providing high-level care outside the traditional hospital setting.
In a recent interview on the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast, Dr. Peter Chang, the senior vice president and chief transformation officer at Tampa General, emphasized the importance of patient engagement in healthcare delivery. He stated that while having an excellent hospital system is crucial, it is equally vital for patients to actively participate in their own health.
We’re doubling down around redesigning care around the home, said Dr. Chang, highlighting the hospital’s commitment to reshaping healthcare delivery. Tampa General’s hospital-at-home program, which utilizes advanced technology, data, and connectivity, has yielded promising results over the past 18 months. The program challenges healthcare providers to tailor their schedules based on the needs and preferences of the patients, rather than the clinic or hospital system.
We’re completely changing the battlefield of medicine as we are no longer on our home turf. We’re actually going into the patient’s home providing care at a hospital inpatient level, explained Dr. Chang. This approach is designed to cater to patients with acute conditions, ensuring they receive the necessary care in the comfort of their own homes.
Tampa General Hospital is committed to expanding its range of home-based care offerings while keeping patient safety as the top priority. The hospital plans to extend services such as urgent care, primary care, subacute rehab, and infusions into patients’ homes. Dr. Chang believes that technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), will play a vital role in scaling these services.
We view artificial intelligence as such a valuable key in helping us prioritize our work, stated Dr. Chang. By leveraging AI, physicians can process information quickly and accurately, especially when making diagnoses. Although concerns exist about the potential inaccuracies and biases associated with AI, Dr. Chang stressed the importance of implementing appropriate governance to ensure that data is utilized effectively and responsibly.
With an eye toward the future, Dr. Chang expressed excitement about the potential of AI in medicine. We have a lot of people excited about what the potential for AI is in medicine, he noted. However, he emphasized the need for careful evaluation and risk assessment before implementing any new technologies within the healthcare system.
Tampa General Hospital takes a multidisciplinary approach to guide its technological advancements by involving stakeholders from various departments, including finance, IT, and clinical teams. The hospital sets clear guidelines and standards to ensure the safe and efficient integration of new technologies. Additionally, effective change management and a growth mindset among leaders are essential elements in embracing and driving transformation in healthcare.
As we are continuing to grow and change, having the ability to say we’re never going to be good enough, we’ll always have areas to improve, and to me that’s part of the growth mindset, Dr. Chang affirmed. Tampa General Hospital upholds a commitment to continuous improvement and recognizes the need for adaptability in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
In conclusion, Tampa General Hospital is leading the way in redefining healthcare delivery by prioritizing patient engagement and embracing home-based care. Through its hospital-at-home program, the hospital aims to provide high-quality care within the familiar environment of patients’ homes. By leveraging technology, including AI, Tampa General is pushing the boundaries of traditional healthcare delivery, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes and experiences.
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