What is the ownership structure of NES Health and how does that benefit me?
NES Health is owned and chaired by Allan Rappaport, MD, JD, who founded the company 38 years ago. Since Dr. Rappaport does not have to answer to stockholders, he can focus on the long-term success of the organization and its clients versus just short-term profits.
The recent restructuring of NES Health was designed to take the company’s “physician led” status to the next level of impact. Our transformation included appointing NES Health’s first physician president and CEO as well as renewed emphasis on leadership from Regional Medical Directors and Medical Directors. The new structure better enables us to align our goals and mission to the priorities and values of our hospital clients.
What is NES Health’s key to improving the patient experience in the emergency department?
The key to enhancing patient care is our Medical Director leadership, which fosters teamwork within the ED and directs the formation of a resilient, success-oriented culture. A strong and supportive Medical Director builds morale among team members and a shared desire to deliver a better patient experience.
How can NES Health help Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) grow and thrive?
Based in rural, sparsely populated areas, CAHs all struggle with the same basic problem: difficulty attracting primary care physicians who will take on the rigorous, 24/7 task of caring for ED patients and rounding on inpatients. This leads to fewer admitted patients overall, fewer specialist referrals, and less revenue. NES Health caters specifically to the needs of CAHs through our integrated model of ED care, which is designed for CAHs receiving fewer than 9,000-10,000 ED visits per year. With this model:
- The ED physician can admit patients and also see inpatients on behalf of PCPs, which means PCPs have more free time. This serves as a major advantage to the CAH in recruiting PCPs to their communities.
- The CAH can expect a 50-100% increase in inpatient admissions each year, resulting in a significant financial benefit. As the volume increases, specialists (e.g., cardiologists, gastroenterologists, orthopaedists, general surgeons) are enticed to set up clinics in the area and perform telemedicine care at the hospital, furthering the facility’s growth and health.
- The CAH benefits from an overall improvement in the performance of its emergency department with regard to patient wait times, quality of care, and operational efficiency. A favorable patient experience drives positive word-of-mouth and makes the CAH a more credible provider of healthcare services within the community.
How will NES Health ensure a smooth transition when it takes over my hospital’s emergency department?
NES Health has transitioned hundreds of hospitals over the past three decades and has the experience, knowledge, and resources to do it well. We typically begin preparing for your transition 90 days in advance, focusing on three areas:
- Hiring a Medical Director and assembling the physician team so they can begin to establish a culture of high performance.
- Planning how to improve the patient experience by understanding the intricacies of patient flow in your ED.
- Building a collaborative relationship with your nursing and medical staff to gain a thorough understanding of all the unique issues and personalities.
Open communication is the hallmark of our client partnerships; you will be regularly updated on the progress of your transition. You also enjoy the convenience of a single point of contact at NES Health to ensure your questions and concerns are always addressed in a timely manner.
Learn more about the transition process.
How can NES Health help improve teamwork and morale in my emergency department?
The most important way we foster teamwork within your ED is by implementing a high-quality Medical Director. NES Health Medical Directors are selectively chosen for their expertise, passion, dedication, and proven leadership capabilities. These individuals are genuinely invested in the long-term success of their emergency departments, and want their staff to feel the same.
Through a consistent emphasis on trust, encouragement, respect, and pride, your NES Health Medical Director builds an environment of achievement and unity. This in turn becomes the culture, or “personality,” of your ED, and behaviors begin to reflect this culture. Everyone is working together to achieve the same goal: an exceptional patient experience that reflects favorably upon your hospital.
Why is the Medical Director such a key figure in NES Health’s management of emergency departments?
The Medical Director essentially serves as NES Health’s on-site project manager. They are the conduit for information and activities between your hospital and our organization. In essence, the Medical Director is similar to the captain of a ship or the foreman on a job site. They are responsible for guiding their crew and workers through the trials and tribulations of each day, with an unwavering focus on quality, safety, and excellence.
While our Medical Directors and Regional Medical Directors bear significant responsibilities, they each enjoy the considerable support of NES Health resources and staff, which are here to help them achieve success in their respective roles.
Learn more about our Medical Directors.
