Draft Strategic Plan for the Cook County Health System due in Late May

Cook County Health and Hospitals System Board Meeting - March 25, 2016
                       
Significant Topics Discussed:
Board Plans for Draft of Strategic Plan by Late May 
In the months ahead Cook County Health and Hospitals System (CCHHS) Board Members will:

• assess data
• identify initiatives
• determine resources
• establish goals
• and determine metrics for measuring success. 

The initial overview will be shared with the staff and community both online and in a series of town hall meetings to take place in late April or early May.  Board members are being asked to consider investments in ambulatory facilities, primary care, high tech equipment, clinical lines including partnerships, and, critically, the system’s ability to finance investments.

To further guide them in their strategic planning, the Board will receive presentations on:

• the Medicaid managed care environment
• nursing strategies
• current makeup of the medical staff
• upcoming changes in medical practice
• an overview of current staff makeup and possible changes
• graduate medical education now and going forward

Changes within the Cook County Health System to be considered by the board as they undertake the planning process will include the following. 
Since 2013

1. Inpatient days have decreased by 6%
2. Observation days (not admitted to hospital) have increased by 31%
3. Emergency Department use has declined by 12%
4. Trauma Center use has increased 20%
5. Total provider visits have declined by 7%, to about 42,000
6. Radiology use has increased by 36%
7. MRI use has increased by 27%
8. Surgeries have increased by 19%. 

In addition only about 900 babies were delivered at Stroger Hospital, compared with about 2,000 at Northwestern Hospital within the same time period.   And beginning on January 1, 2016, Medicaid payments to the CCHHS hospitals are based on patient diagnoses, determined by codes, rather than on per diem patient days.  The former fixed patient  “Encounter Rate”  fee is now, instead, dependent on the patient diagnosis.  The Board is being asked to consider these changes as they make recommendations for the system’s future.

Other Topics Discussed:

Stronger Hospital was granted a 3 year accreditation by the Joint Commission.
The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the U.S., requiring an on-site survey and quality evaluations in multiple categories every three years.

Current Metrics presented to the Board:

• COUNTYCARE enrollment is 16% lower than the predictions made last July
• 131 days required to hire new staff
• 25 days’ cash on hand
• 9 ½% overtime as a percentage of gross salaries.

CEO Dr. Jay Shannon  introduced a resolution honoring the recently-deceased Dr. Quentin Young, former Chair of Medicine at Cook County Hospital, Chair of Chicago Board of health, active civil rights worker, and strong advocate of social justice and universal access to healthcare.

Observer:  Linda Christianson                  Meeting Length: 2.5 hours