In This Post:
Presenters:
Kenny J. Cole MD, MS
System VP, Clinical Improvement
Medical Director, Digital Medicine
Jennifer Taffaro
Director of Benefits
The healthcare industry is evolving rapidly, and one of the most pressing challenges today is ensuring that patients receive standardized, evidence-based care. As the volume of medical knowledge doubles every 73 days, physicians struggle to keep up, often leading to variations in treatment based on experience rather than the latest research. This gap in knowledge translation – taking an average of 17 years for research findings to become clinical practice – highlights the need for innovative solutions in patient care.
We welcomed Kenny J. Cole MD, MS, System VP of Clinical Improvement and Medical Director for Digital Medicine at Ochsner, and Jennifer Taffaro, Director of Benefits at Ochsner, to our “Meet a Vendor” webinar series to gain insights into how health systems can overcome provider shortages with team-based care and top-of-license practices.
Customized Virtual Care for Cardiometabolic Conditions
Studies show that for a primary care physician (PCP) to deliver all recommended evidence-based care, they would need 26.7 hours per day, which is impossible. This constraint results in inconsistent treatment plans across different healthcare providers, affecting control rates and overall patient outcomes.
Ochsner Health has developed a patient-centered virtual care solution that utilizes best-in-class clinical processes, evidence-based algorithms, and continuous outcome monitoring. This approach reduces variability in care and ensures reliable, repeatable, and scalable healthcare solutions.
Ochsner Health, an academic health system with over 80 years of experience, offers remote, app-centered care for managing cardiometabolic diseases such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes. This program integrates with primary care through connected digital devices, including blood pressure cuffs, glucometers, and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). These devices transmit real-time patient data directly into electronic health records, allowing for proactive monitoring and timely medical intervention.
Key Features of the Program:
- Remote Monitoring: Each patient is assigned a long-term licensed clinician who tracks health trends and manages medications.
- Clinical Management: Personalized health strategies considering social determinants of health.
- Health Coaching: Lifestyle skills training to promote long-term well-being.
- Integration with Epic: Seamless connectivity to electronic health records for accurate data tracking.
With more than 56,000 members cared for, this program is already transforming healthcare delivery and improving patient outcomes.
Proven Success in Cardiometabolic Condition Management
Ochsner’s Digital Medicine Program is recognized as one of the most effective models in remote patient management for hypertension. By leveraging medication management strategies, remote monitoring, and behavior change interventions, the program has significantly improved patient outcomes compared to traditional care models.
Key Benefits:
- Higher rates of blood pressure control.
- Lower emergency department (ED) visits and associated costs.
- Increased engagement with primary care providers (PCPs).
- Enhanced medication adherence.
- Reduction in racial disparities in hypertension control, promoting health equity.
A Data-Driven Approach to Weight Management
As obesity rates continue to rise, weight management has become a critical component of overall healthcare. Ochsner’s weight management program offers a comprehensive solution that includes both medication and lifestyle interventions tailored to individual patient needs.
Program Highlights:
- Behavioral Support: Personal health coaching, nutritional counseling, and meal tracking.
- Medical Oversight: Prescribing clinicians and registered dietitians ensure safe and effective treatment plans.
- GLP-1 Medication Gatekeeping: Ensures evidence-based prescription practices to optimize outcomes.
- Virtual Accessibility: Patients can engage with the program through telehealth visits, increasing accessibility and convenience.
The program has specific eligibility criteria, requiring a Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m² or ≥27 kg/m² with weight-related health conditions. This targeted approach ensures that those who need medical intervention receive appropriate and effective care.
Addressing Health Equity Through Data-Backed Interventions
One of the most compelling aspects of Ochsner’s digital healthcare programs is their commitment to reducing healthcare disparities. Ochsner has made significant strides in closing racial health gaps by tracking and analyzing patient data across different demographic groups. For instance, among Black patients, the program has led to increased rates of blood pressure and blood glucose control while simultaneously decreasing ED visits and inpatient admissions. These improvements demonstrate that digital medicine can be a powerful tool for advancing health equity.
Get in touch with Ochsner Health today!
As the demand for quality healthcare continues to grow, scalable and evidence-based virtual care models will play a crucial role in shaping the future of patient care. With over 2.7 million lives in the program’s pipeline and national recognition across 37 states, Ochsner Health is at the forefront of this transformation.
Combining cutting-edge technology, personalized care plans, and data-driven decision-making, Ochsner’s approach to digital medicine sets a new standard for patient-centered healthcare. As more health systems adopt similar models, the industry moves closer to achieving clinical excellence while improving patient outcomes on a broad scale.
For more information on Ochsner Health’s digital medicine programs, click here.
For more information, contact:
Blake Watts – blake.watts@ochsner.org
Alyssa Wakefield – Alyssa.Wakefield@ochsner.org
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