Ascension is responding to the evolving health needs of its communities by focusing efforts on working as a more closely integrated national healing organization. With the goal of delivering improved health outcomes with high-quality, low-cost person-centered care for all persons with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable, Ascension is developing regional clinically integrated systems of care, new delivery models and new national subsidiaries anticipating a shift toward value-based care.
To develop a program of clinical initiatives that improves quality and efficiency of care delivery, Ascension made strategic decisions during the 3rd quarter of its fiscal year, which ended March 31, that integrate new systems, add complementary hospitals to its existing network, and broaden its reach of services to individuals in the communities it serves. Improved information sharing is designed to foster greater interdependence and collaboration among physicians and clinicians, enabling further quality improvements and increased cost effectiveness — and more readily accessible health information for patients.
At the same time, Ascension saw positive financial performance during this time period primarily as a result of increasing patient service revenues. Inpatient admissions, observations days, and emergency department visits increased over the same period last year as more people are receiving care as a result of the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion. Outpatient surgical, behavioral health, home health and urgent care center visits also increased.
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