By Anne Llewellyn, RN-BC, MS, BHSA, CCM, CRRN
Editor-in-Chief of Case in Point Magazine and the Case Management Resource Guide

The country and the healthcare industry had a major win on July 7 when Don Berwick was sworn in to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Why? Because he understands the healthcare system and what is needed to improve the system. If you don’t believe it, research his work with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. The group was started as a result of his own personal experiences with the system and a commitment to help healthcare professionals and organizations do better.

Granted, running CMS will not be the same as running IHI. He will have many challenges that come with a governmental position such as dealing with bureaucracy, lobbying groups and others who are threatened by change. But if there is a person who is up to the challenge it is Don Berwick. His strength is his knowledge of the industry, his ability to see the big picture and a commitment to improve quality and safety, which will reduce waste and cost. As a physician, an educator and health care leader who believes that the U.S. healthcare systems is the best in the world, but is broken and requires systemic changes in order to be effective, he is the right person at this time to make those changes and restore confidence in the system for all stakeholders.

Berwick’s role as Administrator will be to lead CMS in implementing the health reform legislation that was passed earlier this year when the Affordable Care Act was signed into law. The goal of the Act is to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and to reduce the growth in health care spending. To follow the implementation process as rules are put into place, bookmark the HealthCare.gov which was set up to allow all to follow the process. Case managers and other healthcare professionals need to take an active role in the process as we will live with the results. (Read an article my colleague Richard Scott published today on how health reform will affect hospitals.)

Another win also came this week when Maureen Bisognano, RN, MSN, was announced as Berwick’s replacement as President and CEO of IHI. Maureen was the logical choice for the position as she has been Berwick’s right-hand person and is well known in the industry as an expert on the nuts and bolts of improving healthcare systems while lowering costs. To provide an example of her vision, Maureen contributed to the 2009 Case In Point Leadership Supplement, Steering Healthcare, where she shared her views on Safety and Quality. Her interview is on page eight.

Dorland Health would like to congratulate Don Berwick and Maureen Bisognano on their appointments and pledge our support in keeping the practice informed and up to date on progress and challenges both face as they move forward. 

Have a great week!