A healthcare IT startup with a goal of smoothing out care transitions through better coordination between providers and care managers has raised $2 million to expand its sales, marketing and technology staff.
In an interview with MedCity News, Ankota CEO and co-founder Will Hicklen explained that the company’s cloud-based portal system, which can be accessed through mobile devices as well as computers, helps providers coordinate care between discharged patients, primary care physicians, accountable care organizations and occupational and physical therapists to improve transparency and reduce the risk of errors between care transitions.
“Historically, technology in acute care has focused on billing and reimbursement, but what is lacking is process management and having the tools and a platform to plan coordinate acute care,” said Hicklen. “That is very new and you will see more vendors doing this…We bring a high level of operating efficiency along with the ability to coordinate among providers.”
How to Optimize Your Phlebotomy Setup for Efficient Patient Care
The layout of your phlebotomy station can significantly impact efficiency. A well-thought-out setup ensures that every tool is within reach, minimizing unnecessary movement and reducing patient wait times.
It will add 12-15 staff this year including project managers, development, marketing and sales staff. The company’s chief technology officer, Ken Accardi, previously worked as chief information officer for GE Healthcare. Its CMO, John Hunter, is a population health specialist at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
The pressure faced by hospitals to reduce readmissions for certain chronic conditions or face medicare reimbursement penalties combined with the shift towards accountable care payment models is spurring the development of these healthcare companies.