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Wednesday recap
A vision for better healthcare hinges on looking through an equity lens
If there's one article Rush President and CEO Dr. Omar Lateef wants you to read, it's a New England Journal of Medicine piece titled "Racial and Ethnic Differences in Bystander Witnessed Cardiac Arrest."
"Do you know," he asked, "that the study shows people are less likely to stop to help people based on the color of their skin?"
It turns out, the article is a prime example of how solvable many problems in healthcare really are. It's now part of orientation at Rush as a direct reminder to never forget your mission: When someone needs help, you help them. It's that simple.
"We spend too much time chasing outcomes that aren't moving the dial," Dr. Lateef said. "We have to shift the question to be, 'Is it changeable?'"
That's exactly the mindset Chicago-based Rush adopted to address inequities within its community. Even before COVID-19 undeniably drove home the severe racial health disparities that exist across the U.S., the system's strategic plan outlined a goal to cut the "Death Gap" — a term that refers to significant gaps in life expectancy based on race and economic status — by half. In Chicago, Dr. Lateef said, those who live near the ritzier Michigan Avenue typically live 16 years longer than those who reside on the city's west side.
"Racism," Dr. Lateef said, "is a public health crisis."
But the Rush team knew they could make a difference. They transferred patients from safety net hospitals to their ICU, which resulted in outcomes that were among the best in the country.
"Either we're that good or it turns out that when you give anyone the right medicine when they need it, they're going to get a good outcome," Dr. Lateef said.
Pre-pandemic, Rush had built health equity into every aspect of its strategy — it wasn't a specific program but an equity lens. They went into the community and asked, "What do you need from us?" The answers included: Employment. Food. Safety. Trust.
Rush committed to being an anchor in the community, one that would build partnerships across at-risk neighborhoods. For example, only a few days ago, the system — which served as an anchor partner with local organizations including Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative, The Community Builders and MAAFA Redemption Project — broke ground on the Sankofa Wellness Village in West Garfield that is set to provide at least 200 jobs to workers from the neighborhood, as well as a safe space for recreation and education. And they partnered with Fillmore Linen Service to open a laundry facility in North Lawndale that created 300 jobs (and saves RUSH $700,000 per year in laundry costs).
"Doing what's right can drop your operating margins in healthcare. It doesn't have to be bad math if you build it into your strategic plan,” Dr. Lateef said. “We don’t have to do this alone — we can figure out how to do this together. Each success, while a single example, is a powerful example of what we can collectively build.”
The Center for the Rights of Abused Children — a Phoenix-based nonprofit founded in 2017 to ensure the safety and protection of abused children — won this year’s Norman Borlaug Humanitarian Award. The $50,000 award is given annually to a 501(c)(3) organization that make a difference in the world, and Vizient employees select the winner.
The center provides free legal representation to abused children and advocates for their safety through common-sense reforms. Its work has helped hundreds of thousands of abused children find protection and has been instrumental in securing safe and loving homes for them.
“No child should live in fear,” said founder and CEO Darcy Olsen. “Together, we can do more, be more, and change more for abused children, opening doors to the bright futures every child deserves.”
Innovation in action
This year’s Innovative Technology Exchange showcased 106 industry-leading suppliers, who demonstrated their technologies that help improve clinical outcomes, enhance safety and help drive healthcare improvements to clinical and supply chain leaders.
"The exchange is about connecting providers and inventors in an environment that fosters deep and focused conversations, practical feedback, hands-on experience with innovative products and services, and ample of opportunities to learn about new treatment options, ways to improve care coordination and access to healthcare," said Olya Carter, Vizient senior compliance clinical manager.
Attendees were welcomed to experience the innovations firsthand — from 3D printing for wound care grafts and real-time needle visualization without needles to non-invasive liver scanning, AI medical coding and breathable surgical gowns — all while having the opportunity to meet face-to-face with supplier experts and ask questions.
“This was a wonderful opportunity to learn about new devices and their capabilities. I was especially intrigued by the liver imaging technologies as we just began performing liver transplants at our organization,” said Patricia Scott, quality/safety/regulatory officer, University Medical Center. “The exchange brings great value for providers to look at possible solutions ahead of moving into an RFP process.”
What we’re hearing …
We asked: What was your biggest takeaway from this year's Summit?
"Integrating diversity, equity and inclusion and health equity into data is the biggest theme I’m taking with me from the event. Data is definitely king.” — Selynto Anderson, chief equity and inclusion officer, Lee Health
"The importance of supplier-provider connections are really important, and the reverse trade show portions of this event have allowed meaningful discussions to happen in a natural way.” — Rick Simms, national manager, GPO account executives, Cook Medical
Upcoming
- Visit the Vizient Newsroom tomorrow to read our full event recap.
- Check your email for our post-event survey early next week.
- Save the date for next year’s Vizient Connections Summit — Sept. 16-19, 2025
Thank you to suppliers and sponsors for their generous support of this year's conference, including headline sponsor BeiGene for helping us unite providers and suppliers for another fantastic event.