Saint Francis’ Success: How an Integrated Performance Improvement Strategy Delivered Millions in Savings and Better Outcomes

Key takeaways:

• Saint Francis Health System leveraged Premier's clinical intelligence solutions to effectively benchmark performance, automate data sharing and engage stakeholders across all levels to drive continuous performance improvement.
• Through participation in Premier’s Perinatal Improvement Collaborative, Saint Francis significantly improved maternal and neonatal outcomes, while sharing best practices and fostering collaboration with other hospitals.
• Looking to optimize its supply chain, Saint Francis partnered with Premier’s supply chain advisory team to strengthen best practices and operations in sourcing, logistics and value analysis, resulting in more than $5.6 million in savings over a one-year period.

Saint Francis Health System, a not-for-profit health system located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has always been guided by a deep commitment to improving patient outcomes, operational efficiency and the overall care experience. As a nationally recognized health system, earning both the 15 Top Health Systems and 100 Top Hospitals® designations, Saint Francis’ achievements showcase its continuous drive for excellence.

“These recognitions validate the hard work we’ve been doing to provide excellent care in a way that is safe, cost-effective and focused on the patient,” explains Brenda Nance, Vice President of Quality at Saint Francis Health System. “The honors reflect years of effort in enhancing clinical outcomes, refining processes and fostering a culture that puts patients first.”

Data-Driven Change for Performance Improvement

A key to Saint Francis’ ongoing success has been its ability to harness robust, actionable data effectively. With Premier’s tools, the health system has leveraged real-time data to pinpoint areas of growth, reduce inefficiencies and make more informed, evidence-based care decisions.

“Premier has been essential for benchmarking,” Nance notes. “It allows us to see exactly where we need to be to achieve top performance. Premier has made data accessible across our organization, letting our teams tackle problems in real-time during workgroup discussions.”

To maximize these tools, Saint Francis has partnered with Premier’s Advisory Services team to ensure that the solutions implemented are fit-for-purpose and aligned with their strategic goals. Premier’s consultants not only help vet and integrate technology but also collaborate with Saint Francis staff to interpret insights, operationalize improvements and monitor outcomes.

This comprehensive approach has empowered Saint Francis to drive continuous improvement by engaging stakeholders at all levels, promoting shared governance and aligning team efforts around actionable insights.

Advancing Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes

One area where data and collaboration have made a significant difference is in maternal and neonatal care. Through its involvement in Premier’s Perinatal Improvement Collaborative, Saint Francis has made considerable strides in enhancing outcomes for mothers and newborns.

Notably, the Perinatal Collaborative supplements a health system’s own data – leveraging robust real-world data (RWD) from one of the most comprehensive databases of birth mother data linked to newborn data – supporting promising clinical research and novel medical solution development that help bridge gaps in treatment and care.

“Our participation in the Perinatal Collaborative has helped us implement evidence-based interventions and reduce maternal complications,” said Nance. “The Collaborative has also enabled us to share best practices and learn from other hospitals, which has been invaluable in shaping our own improvement strategies.”

The use of actionable data, combined with a focus on safety culture and clinical quality, has allowed Saint Francis to take a proactive approach in addressing challenges in maternal care, improving outcomes and advancing health equity for their patient population.

Strengthening Supply Chain Operations and Savings Amid Workforce Challenges

Alongside its clinical improvements, Saint Francis recognized the need to advance its supply chain operations, especially in the face of ongoing product and labor shortages. To address these challenges, Saint Francis partnered with Premier’s supply chain advisory team for support in developing a comprehensive strategic plan.

With this collaboration, Saint Francis sought not just a traditional consultant but a true partner that could deliver tailored services and solutions that met their unique needs. Through targeted efforts, Saint Francis achieved significant improvements:

• Sourcing and Contracting: Saint Francis secured cost-effective supplier agreements that aligned with clinical needs while mitigating disruptions caused by global supply chain constraints.
• Inventory and Logistics: Streamlined product flow and improved visibility into inventory levels helped prevent shortages and ensure access to critical supplies.
• Value Analysis: Collaborative decision-making between clinical and supply chain teams standardized products, improved efficiency and controlled costs.

Premier’s supply chain advisory team support allowed Saint Francis to manage critical functions, maintain operational continuity and unlock more than $5.6 million in savings over a one-year period– despite workforce challenges and supply chain pressures.

A Culture Committed to Continuous Improvement

At the heart of Saint Francis’ ongoing success is its culture of continuous improvement. The health system has fostered a workplace where quality, safety and patient experience are top priorities—values that permeate every level of the organization.

“Our CEO always reminds us that if we take care of the patient, the rest will follow,” Nance reflects. This patient-centered philosophy has driven Saint Francis to continuously refine its practices, helping to ensure that every decision is made with the patient’s well-being in mind.

Looking ahead, Saint Francis is aiming to raise the bar even further. Utilizing the same tools, data-driven insights and expert support that have propelled them to this point of success, the health system is working towards ensuring that all its hospitals achieve a four- or five-star CMS rating.

“Being able to see real-time data and address issues head-on has been a game-changer for us,” Nance adds. “It’s that level of engagement and focus that we believe will continue to push us toward even greater success.”

The journey to performance excellence is ongoing, but with a foundation built on collaboration, data and a shared vision for patient-centered care, Saint Francis is well-positioned to continue setting the standard for healthcare in the years to come.

For more:

• Learn more about Premier’s solutions. Our experts are ready to help your healthcare organization drive performance improvement and speed to value.

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