Kelly Emrick MBA, PhD

 New data on Obesity in the United States: An epidemic! https://kellyemrick.com/2024/08/25/new-data-u-s-obesity-rates/

 What Exactly is Population Health? I get many questions on the subject of population health, particularly what it really means. Let me see if I can compartmentalize what it is and why it is one of the most important organizational factors in health care today and well into the future. As populations age and the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, driven by advances in technology, shifts in demographic patterns, and an increased emphasis on preventative care, population health becomes the core of the healthcare infrastructure. Amid these changes, population health has emerged as a pivotal concept, shaping how healthcare professionals and policymakers approach the well-being of communities. This blog post discusses essential components and the essence of population health, its relevance to current healthcare trends, and why it is poised to become even more essential in the coming years. Understanding Population Health Population health is an expansive field seeking to improv

Elderly patients' access to healthcare has attained a notable landmark, or "milestone," in public health, policy, and clinical practice. This is a significant moment because, as the people in our societies grow ever older (a global trend), making sure that our elderly receive good healthcare takes on new urgency. This discussion will look into the forces that are pushing for change in this matter and the forms that change is taking—especially the technological, which is always in the limelight. It really is an interesting conversation with a potentially positive outcome. Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Access The access to healthcare for the elderly is determined in large part by their socio-economic status. Unsurprisingly, older adults who are better off in this respect are more likely to get and make use of medical services. On the other hand, those who are on a fixed income (from a pension or retirement savings, for instance)—and whose numbers are growing—find it

The advent of AI in healthcare heralds a new era of innovation and improvement in hospital operations and patient outcomes. By streamlining administrative processes, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, personalizing patient care, and enabling proactive health management, AI stands to revolutionize the way healthcare is delivered. As healthcare leaders navigate the complexities and challenges of integrating AI into healthcare systems, it is imperative to focus on the ultimate goal: improving patient care and outcomes. The future of healthcare is bright, and with AI as a key driver, the industry is positioned to achieve unprecedented advancements in medical science and patient well-being. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept reserved for sci-fi novels or tech conferences; it is a present reality, fundamentally reshaping various industries, with healthcare at the forefront. As hospitals and healthcare systems grapple with increasing demands, dwindling resources, and t

If my scholarly projections are correct, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will profoundly change healthcare more than any other factor. AI and automation are transforming healthcare at an unprecedented pace, offering innovative solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in the industry. These technologies promise to enhance diagnostic accuracy, streamline administrative processes, and improve patient outcomes. However, their integration into healthcare also raises important ethical, regulatory, and societal considerations. AI and automation have been steadily integrated into various aspects of healthcare over the past few decades, driven by advances in machine learning, data analytics, robotics, and natural language processing. These technologies have the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery by enhancing the efficiency, accuracy, and personalization of medical services. Machine learning, a subset of AI, involves the use of algorithms and statistical models to analyze and i

  The most important book of the year! Game Theory & Leadership by: Kelly Emrick, MBA, PH.D., DHSc(c).

  In our interconnected world, the relationships we forge shape the fabric of our lives. From family bonds to romantic partnerships, from friendships to professional connections, these relationships have the power to uplift, inspire, and bring joy. However, not all relationships are created equal. Sometimes, we find ourselves entangled in toxic dynamics that drain our energy, erode our self-worth, and leave us feeling trapped and powerless. Toxicity can manifest in many forms – manipulation, gaslighting, emotional abuse, physical violence, and more. It can infiltrate any relationship, from the most intimate to the most casual. Toxic relationships can have profound impacts on our mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress. They can make us question our reality, doubt our self-worth, and lose sight of who we are. Nevertheless, here is the truth: you are not alone. Toxic relationships are far more common than many people realize, affecting

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) campaign against healthcare worker burnout took a step forward this week by releasing a new instructional guide for executive-level hospital leaders (CDC, 2024). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation have collaboratively developed the “Impact Well-being Guide: Taking Action to Improve Healthcare Worker Well-being.” This initiative is designed to support hospital leaders and executives in enhancing the professional well-being of healthcare workers. The guide leverages NIOSH’s extensive expertise in occupational safety and health, enriched by its 50 years of experience in the field, to propose an evidence-informed and practical framework to improve the work environment for healthcare professionals. This summary provides a detailed overview of the guide, its foundational principles, key actions, and implications for hospital operations and healthcare worker well-being

According to Numerof and Schlosser (2022), healthcare executives must grasp that achieving proper population health requires a transformative shift from the outdated fee-for-service (FFS) model to an entirely new patient-centered, value-based care model. The unsustainability of FFS has been laid bare by staggering financial losses at major health systems, rural hospital closures, and overall economic distress exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. At its core, FFS is provider-centric, with little accountability for outcomes across the complete care continuum. As highlighted in the Numerof & Associates 2022 State of Population Health Survey Report, COVID exposed FFS’ profound failure to address social determinants of health, leaving millions vulnerable. The pandemic also revealed FFS’ precariousness when procedure cancellations cut off revenue. Executives must accept that FFS’ days are numbered amid trends like growing government payer mix with lower reimbursements, private payer pus

In today’s blog, I investigate an article by Oates et al. (2024) from “The State of Academic Radiology.” Academic medicine is very complex, requiring a deep understanding of the intricate hurdles of the academic radiology community. As Oates et al. (2024) described, radiology is grappling with and exploring innovative solutions to navigate many challenges. The landscape of academic radiology is as diverse as the medical field itself, with approximately 200 departments across the US. Despite their differences in size, location, and affiliations, each department shares a tripartite mission: delivering patient care, providing education and training, and advancing scholarship. In the investigation, the insights gathered from four distinct academic centers are vital, and it is clear that the path forward is not one-size-fits-all. Each institution, from the small to the very large, brings forward unique strategies to adapt to the ever-changing medical landscape. The discussion pivots around

 Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns 2024 ECRI releases its top 10 list of top patient safety concerns for 2024. The list is ranked in order of concern, one being the most significant. You can download the full report at https://www.ecri.org/top-10-patient-safety-concerns-2024 .   1.       Transitioning new clinicians from education to practice 2.       Workarounds with barcode medication administration systems 3.       Access to maternal and perinatal care 4.       Unintended consequences of technology adoption 5.       Physical and emotional well-being of healthcare workers 6.       Complexity of preventing diagnostic error 7.       Equitable care for people with physical and intellectual disabilities 8.       Drug, supply, and equipment shortages 9.       Misuse of parenteral syringes to administer oral liquid medications 10.   Preventing patient falls   Who is ECRI? ECRI is a global, independent authority on healthcare technology and safety. ECRP services ass

The plundering of America’s hospitals Here is a summary of the article.   The article exposes how private equity firms and a real estate investment trust called Medical Properties Trust (MPT) have profited massively by stripping hospitals serving low-income communities of their real estate assets. MPT specializes in buying land and buildings from hospitals and then leasing it back to them, forcing the hospitals to pay rent on property they previously owned. Many of these hospitals were already struggling financially before selling their real estate to MPT. The added rent burden from the sale-leaseback deals deepened their financial troubles, resulting in at least 13 hospitals having to close or go bankrupt after transactions with MPT. However, the private equity owners of these hospitals could extract huge windfalls by selling the real estate to MPT, even though their hospital investments were failing. Major firms like Cerberus, Apollo, and Leonard Green paid themselves lucrative

  Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are a cornerstone of the United States healthcare system, providing essential primary care and preventive services to over 31.5 million patients annually, with a significant focus on underserved populations (Health Resources and Services Administration, 2024). The transition to Value-Based Payment (VBP) models represents a paradigm shift in healthcare financing, aiming to enhance care quality, cost-efficiency, and health equity by shifting away from traditional fee-for-service models that incentivize volume over value (Lewis et al., 2024). The VBP model is underpinned by several theoretical frameworks, including the Triple Aim framework, on improving the patient experience, improving the health of populations, and reducing the per capita cost of healthcare. The Health Equity Framework also emphasizes addressing disparities in healthcare access, quality, and outcomes among diverse patient populations (Lewis et al., 2024). The transition to VB

Every healthcare leader should read the following US playbook that addresses the social determinants of health. HHS "The White House and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), is releasing several resources to help support federal agencies, states, local and tribal governments to better coordinate health care, public health, and social services. Specifically, the White House is releasing the first-ever  U.S. Playbook to Address Social Determinants of Health - PDF .  To accompany this, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is releasing a  Call to Action to Address Health-Related Social Needs  and a  Medicaid and CHIP Health-Related Social Needs Framework - PDF . This builds on the Administration’s work to advance health equity by acknowledging that peoples’ social and economic conditions play an important role in their health and wellbeing." Source: US Department of Health & Human

“ Navigating the Future : A Comprehensive Guide to Predictive Analytics” is essential to society because it demystifies the complex field of predictive analytics, making it accessible to a broader audience. By providing insights into how predictive analytics can be effectively used across various industries, the book empowers individuals and organizations to make data-driven decisions, leading to more efficient operations, better resource management, and enhanced decision-making processes. Furthermore, by addressing ethical considerations and future trends, the book encourages the responsible use of predictive analytics, contributing to a more informed and ethical approach to data usage in society. In data-driven decision-making, predictive analytics has emerged as a cornerstone, transforming how organizations understand the past, navigate the present, and anticipate the future. “Navigating the Future” is designed to be a comprehensive guide, providing insights into the multifaceted wo