MetroHealth, a leading health system in Ohio, has been at the forefront of leveraging health IT to enhance patient care. From telemedicine to healthcare education to electronic health records, MetroHealth has made significant investments in technology over the years. However, like many health systems, they faced the challenge of connecting these tools in a coordinated and personalized manner for both care teams and patients.
The Solution
In response to this challenge, MetroHealth embarked on a digital transformation journey focused on building an access strategy that aligns digital investments with a virtual-first care approach. Dr. Nabil Chehade, senior executive vice president and chief clinical transformation, innovation, and strategy officer at MetroHealth, spearheaded the initiative. The goal was to break down silos and create integration points across the health system to better serve patients’ unique needs.
One of the key milestones in this journey was the launch of virtual-first care services, including urgent, primary, and integrated behavioral health services built on the Epic EHR platform. This initiative resulted in over 27,000 virtual visits to dedicated virtual care providers in the first year alone, demonstrating the impact of a cohesive digital strategy.
Meeting the Challenge
To address the need for a unified platform that leverages existing resources and tools, MetroHealth partnered with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC Health) to establish a joint venture. This collaboration led to the development of Ovatient, a virtual health provider for health systems, and MetroHealth MyCare Anywhere, a patient engagement platform designed to offer personalized virtual care and health resources.
Results and Future Outlook
MetroHealth MyCare Anywhere serves as a digital health home for patients, offering a seamless experience that integrates with the MyChart portal. By leveraging patient data and proprietary resources, the platform delivers customized health education and resources tailored to individual needs. The future of MetroHealth MyCare Anywhere is promising, with plans to enhance educational programs, expand access to care, and incorporate AI capabilities for personalized health journeys.
In conclusion, MetroHealth’s digital transformation journey underscores the importance of leveraging technology to enhance patient care and improve outcomes. By integrating digital tools and resources in a cohesive manner, health systems can empower patients to take control of their health and navigate their care journeys effectively.
