Hospitals

Here’s what C-suite leaders plan to focus on under the Trump administration

Although the future of the healthcare world is unknown, a recent survey highlights the primary goals of healthcare leaders moving forward.

Trump

President Donald Trump, his administration and a Republican Congress have big plans for changing healthcare. For now, the future of the American healthcare system is up in the air. But healthcare leaders across the country have already started to make initial plans.

Charlotte, North Carolina-based Premier Inc. decided to find out what is top of mind for C-suite leaders now that the new administration has taken the helm. The company conducted an online survey of 63 healthcare C-suite leaders, including CEOs, CFOs, CMOs, COOs, CIOs and CTIOs, between January 3 and February 6.

The results found leaders zeroed in on five primary areas on which they will focus under the Trump administration, according to a press release from Premier. In priority order, they are:

1. Controlling costs and focusing on drug spending

Sixty-five percent of survey respondents said they will increase their focus on ways of managing the cost of care. Another 61 percent said they plan to concentrate on managing rising drug costs and pharmaceutical spending, which aligns with President Trump’s claims that he wants to decrease drug prices.

2. Heading from meaningful use to meaningful insight

Rather than a sole focus on putting data in EHR systems, respondents indicated they plan to focus on analytic capabilities. Half of the respondents said they will work to increase interoperability, and 53 percent plan to improve data integration and invest in analytics.

3. Consumer engagement

Even with the transition to a new administration, healthcare leaders are increasingly looking for ways to both engage and satisfy consumers. As such, 56 percent of respondents said they want to use telehealth to improve patients’ access to physicians. Another 45 percent plan to build on their organization’s patient engagement initiatives.

4. Movement toward population health efforts

Respondents indicated their interest in the value-based care initiatives lauded by the Obama administration. Of the leaders surveyed, 40 percent said they plan to expand the healthcare team to include nurse practitioners, care coordinators and others. Another 45 percent indicated they will increase their use of post-acute care services.

5. Ongoing focus on clinical quality

Though it’s becoming a standard for healthcare leaders, respondents indicated they will continue to concentrate on quality reporting. While 46 percent of respondents said their organization will increase the use of quality reporting systems such as the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System, 2 percent of respondents said they plan to decrease their investment in such systems.

The results of the survey hint at a future that will revolve around lowered costs and improved quality, according to Premier COO Mike Alkire. “These findings highlight how providers are taking the long view — not just focusing on the here and now, but ultimately on what will be most beneficial to patients and sustain the viability of our nation’s hospitals,” he said in an email to MedCity.

Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

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