Laura Ramos Hegwer
About the Author
Laura Ramos Hegwer
Latest Work
NewYork-Presbyterian Curbs Costs with a Structured Redesign Approach
By pairing project management professionals with operational leaders on key initiatives, the organization achieved $96 million in cost savings in 2017 while maintaining high-quality care.
Building Trust with Physicians During Times of Disruption
Changing the funds-flow model can disrupt age-old processes at an academic medical center. The CEO of a Wisconsin health system offers advice for physician leaders on how they can align physicians when altering the funds flow and making other cultural changes.
A Comprehensive Approach to Engaging Physicians
Giving physician leaders better tools to conduct annual performance reviews has helped one Canadian hospital provide more meaningful feedback to physicians and improved engagement. More engaged physicians have helped the organization raise its patient satisfaction scores.
Innovating to Improve Health Equity
Many Americans are unable to achieve their full health potential because of socioeconomic disparities, addiction, or even their address. To tackle these health inequities, health systems and health plans are testing innovative approaches that could bring financial benefits as well.
Avoiding Costly Mistakes When Purchasing Financial Software
By understanding what to include in their RFPs, finance leaders can make sure they select the best cost accounting, decision support, and business intelligence platforms.
Metro Health Improves Cash Flow by Offering New Payment Options
Metro Health’s payment options include community benefit discounts, charity care sliding scales, and a zero-percent interest payment plan, which has improved cash flow and flattened bad debt.
Value-Based Care Requires More Versatile Talent
As the lines between health plans and providers blur in today’s integrated healthcare organizations, leaders recognize the benefits of sharing and developing talent across traditional organizational and industry boundaries.
How Geisinger Maintains Strong Revenue Cycle Performance During M&As
Geisinger Health System leaders have been able to return to previous revenue cycle performance levels within 90 days or less during their integrations. Their strong performance continues today as demonstrated by the health system’s award-winning revenue cycle department.
Christiana Care Avoids $100M In Costs by Improving Quality, Cutting Waste
Leaders at Christiana Care have reduced waste by ensuring appropriate use of telemetry and modifying their electronic health record to eliminate ordering of automatically recurring lab tests. They also have improved outcomes by better managing blood products and using a care management tool to target at-risk groups.
Caregiver Support May Help Reduce Costs
Family caregivers’ fatigue was associated with $1,937 higher costs while caregiver sadness was associated with $1,323 higher costs during a six-month period. Patients with severely fatigued caregivers also were more likely to visit the ED.