System Redesign Responses to Challenges in Safety-Net Systems | Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ)

System Redesign Responses to Challenges in Safety-Net Systems | Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ)

Changes Needed for Success, Survival of Safety-Net Hospitals, AHRQ Report Concludes

Safety-net hospitals and systems face increasing financial and competitive pressures as government funding decreases and performance expectations rise, according to a recent report funded by AHRQ. The study showed that system redesign and alignment of internal operations with market and other external challenges could help safety-net facilities fulfill their missions under ever more challenging conditions. A research team from Boston University conducted case studies in eight safety-net systems to examine the challenges and resource needs safety-net hospitals and systems face. Among the study’s conclusions: success and survival in today’s changing health care environment will require safety-net systems to achieve systemwide improvements in quality and efficiency and position themselves to obtain additional sources of revenue. Even with these changes, safety-net hospitals are likely to continue to require substantial government support to help them meet their obligations to care for indigent patients. Hence, it is important for policymakers and other stakeholders to seek a new consensus on the continuing role of safety-net systems under health reform, according to the study, “System Redesign Responses to Challenges in Safety-Net Systems: Summary of Field Study Research.” 

System Redesign Responses to Challenges in Safety-Net Systems

Summary of Field Study Research

A study team from the Boston University School of Public Health, under a contract with AHRQ, conducted case studies in eight safety-net systems to examine the challenges safety-net hospitals and systems are facing. The team also examined the strategies and resources safety-net systems use to address the challenges of the changing health care environment. Safety-net systems serve low-income, medically vulnerable patients and offer special health care and social services that other hospital systems do not.

Download Information

• System Redesign Responses to Challenges in Safety-Net Systems: Summary of Field Study Research [  PDF File, 754 KB ].
• System Redesign for Value in Safety-Net Hospitals and Systems: Challenges and Implications: Slide Presentation [  PowerPoint File, 489.4 KB; Text Version].

Related publications:

Zallman L, Bearse A, Neal N, Lukas CV, Hacker K.  Physician alignment to system redesign goals at safety net systems in the new health care era: experiences at eight institutions.  Jt Com J on Quality and Patient Safety 2014: 40(12):541-9.http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/jcaho/jcjqs/2014/00000040/00000012/art00003 .

Lukas CV, Holmes SK, Harrison MI.  Can Safety-Net Hospital Systems Redesign Themselves To Achieve Financial Viability?  Health Affairs Blog.  March 16, 2015. http://healthaffairs.org/blog/2015/03/16/can-safety-net-hospital-systems-redesign-themselves-to-achieve-financial-viability/ .

Page last reviewed June 2015

Internet Citation: System Redesign Responses to Challenges in Safety-Net Systems: Summary of Field Study Research. June 2015. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/systems/system/systemredesignsafetynet/index.html