Achieving Operational Readiness & Seamless Service Continuation for a Statewide Healthcare System’s First-Ever Acquisition

Overview

A not-for-profit health system based in Georgia, embarked on its first acquisition by purchasing a Tennessee-based healthcare system. This strategic move aimed to expand its reach and extend its service offerings, particularly in behavioral health. The project involved integrating the clinical systems and the operations of the newly acquired facility into the existing operations without compromising patient care quality and enhancing patient/provider/employee satisfaction.

The Ask

The client faced several challenges in acquiring and integrating the new facility and requested Thrivence’s help to ensure a smooth integration:

• First experience in hospital acquisitions
• Need to ensure a seamless transition without disrupting patient care
• Complexity of integrating IT systems, financial systems, and employee management
• Contracting and integrating new clinical applications to support the acquired facility

Solutions

The client enlisted our assistance to navigate the complexities of the acquisition and integration process. The approach included:

• Establishing various workstreams aligned with business needs (e.g., revenue cycle, HR, IT, clinical).
• Providing overarching program leadership to ensure all project managers understand requirements for their workstreams and meet their targets.
• Utilizing technology to identify and detail current applications and infrastructure.
• Partnering with technology experts to implement necessary infrastructure changes.
• Implementing change management and training programs to prepare staff for new processes and align the team.

Results

The primary goal was to ensure a smooth transition, with minimal disruption to patient care. Key milestones include:

• Only 15 support tickets during the implementation period.
• Implementation with no patient impact.
• Staying on track and ensuring operational readiness and seamless service continuation.
• Addressing internal inefficiencies to improve overall operations.
• Leveraging technology to minimize disruption and to achieve desired efficiencies.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Planning: Comprehensive planning and expert guidance are necessary for acquisitions.
• Technology Integration: Utilizing specialized tools like KUBE helps in detailed application and infrastructure assessment.
• Change Management: Effective change management and training programs ensure staff are well-prepared for new processes.
• Leadership and Collaboration: Strong program leadership and collaboration across workstreams lead to successful project execution.
• Continuous Improvement: Acquisition projects can uncover internal inefficiencies, providing opportunities for overall operational improvements.