O p p o r t u n i t y
MCDM AG.COM | JA N UA RY/ F EBRUA RY 2018 | Medical Construction & Design
39
How strategic
partnerships can
benefi t outpatient
healthcare facilities
BY STEPHEN WINIKOFF & STEVEN STAFFORD
The Golisano Center's primary care clinic operates extended evening hours to improve
access to care. The lobby includes a café and computer workstations, in addition to a variety
of seating options and activities.
As U.S. healthcare continues its evolution
toward a value-based and consumer-
centric model, health systems are growing
more responsible for population health
management and rethinking care delivery
strategies. One emerging strategy health
systems are testing across the country is
a growing focus and reliance on strategic
partnerships. When leveraged appro-
priately, strategic partnerships can help
health systems better manage population
health by addressing the social determi-
nants of health, strengthen their contin-
uum of care and achieve improved health
outcomes.
It's possible outpatient facilities and
their care teams are experiencing the
greatest pressure resulting from this shift.
At its core, population health strives to
keep people healthy and out of an inpa-
tient care center. This reality inherently
requires our nation's outpatient clinics
to be remarkably effi cient and eff ective.
Given this reality, strategic partnerships
can prove an even stronger option for
these types of health facilities.
The key to success with community
partnerships ultimately boils down to
research, strategy and design. Health
systems should not just seek partnerships
without a strong business case for how
each will help them enhance their care
delivery and aff ect positive outcomes.
Making sound strategic decisions that will
generate ROI requires systems to under-
stand what's driving this shift toward
population health, barriers and oppor-
tunities connected to the shift, and also
learning from peer examples. It also means
Necessity &
Opportunity