The latest from Liz

Normally, I share these messages to discuss ways UCHealth is improving lives, benefiting the communities we serve, and advancing care for our patients. Today, I need to discuss a more serious issue – a bill in the state legislature that will prohibit facility fees. I want you to know how this could impact our patients, outpatient clinics, providers and employees.

As you may know, when a patient visits a doctor in a provider-based clinic, a large team of people is involved in the patient’s care. Nurses, nursing assistants, security officers, front desk receptionists and patient access representatives, social workers, phlebotomists, pharmacists, environmental services staff, our IT team and many others all support care for the patient.

In a provider-based clinic, a patient receives 2 bills – one is solely for the time the doctor or advanced practice provider spends with the patient, and the other, the facility fee, covers everyone else involved in the patient’s care in addition to the equipment and the facility itself.

A bill currently being discussed by Colorado legislators, HB23-1215, would prohibit facilities from charging this facility fee in many outpatient clinic locations on and off our hospital campuses. Essentially, this means we will have virtually no reimbursement for the patient care being provided by our nurses and dedicated staff members. These clinics serve millions of people each year including large numbers of Medicaid and uninsured patients, and we are concerned those patients may lose access to the care they need. Unfortunately, there will be serious consequences from a bill like this, and we may not be able to support all the clinics we have today.

UCHealth is strongly opposed to this bill. While we are dedicated to reducing health care costs, we must have the ability to support our patients, our employees, and the services we offer.

I believe that kindness is a foundation of UCHealth’s culture and an essential part of our mission of improving lives. It’s at the heart of providing medical care and how we support our coworkers – and I’d like to share a few stories of how our teams are showing extraordinary kindness.

All of us have been saddened and concerned about the war in Ukraine, and this spring, Stacy Abernathy recognized the stress it was causing two of her coworkers – Yuliya and Konstantin, who are both from Ukraine and who have family members in or close to the war zone. In fact, Yuliya’s parents have both been injured, and their apartment building collapsed. Stacy spent many hours learning some traditional Ukrainian customs and baking for her coworkers – showing them warmth and caring during this frightening time.

Members of UCHealth’s language services, access, social work and medical teams have also gone above and beyond to assist refugees from Ukraine – helping connect them with medical care and enabling the refugees to continue their oncology and other treatments here in the U.S. Our language services team has even translated a patient’s medical records into English. I am inspired by the strength and resolve of those fleeing the war, and I appreciate everyone who is helping support the Ukrainian people.

Acts of kindness are happening every day in our locations. Recently, in UCHealth’s Burn Center, nurse Winston Folk made a special connection with a younger patient. On hearing that the patient was a fan of country music, Winston used his connections to reach out to music star Tim McGraw, who recorded an encouraging video just for our patient.

Just as UCHealth strives to support our staff and providers, we are also focused on benefitting the communities we serve. From donating supplies to Ukraine, to supporting science and medical education at a STEM school in Aurora, these efforts extend far beyond providing medical care.

In Teller County, UCHealth has partnered with a food bank to outfit ambulances with boxes of nutritious food – so staff and paramedics can provide help when they find someone in need.

Our food pantry in Fort Collins is also helping address food insecurity – and improving the overall health of those we serve.

In both northern and southern Colorado, we have been expanding our mental health co-responder programs. These models allow behavioral health experts to respond alongside law enforcement to help people in crisis – improving safety, diverting people from jail and helping them get the compassionate care they need.

In Fort Collins, we’ve also helped launch an innovative app that helps a vulnerable person or caregiver share information about medical conditions, mental health challenges and more with emergency responders.

Throughout Colorado, UCHealth has significantly expanded our behavioral health services, now integrating care inside 45 primary care offices. Over the past two years, we have provided more than 30,000 of these important visits.

Recently, we partnered with the CU School of Pharmacy to hold a free, community health fair at a church in Aurora – providing lipid tests and cancer screening, tobacco cessation and stroke education. Experts were also on-site to answer medical questions for individuals who may have less access to medical care.

In Steamboat Springs, Yampa Valley Medical Center offers numerous programs for the community including providing grants to 13 community nonprofits to help support mental health, access to health care and substance use disorder programs.

First, I want to say thank you to everyone who responded during the omicron surge of COVID-19. We were challenged, but thanks to you, we continued to provide excellent care for our patients.

Moving past this most recent wave of the pandemic allows us to look forward and focus on our strategic priorities of patient experience, performance, accessibility and innovation.

Occupancy and volume have been challenges in recent years at our hospitals and medical centers, and we are excited about some projects that will help us expand to meet our community’s needs.

Crews are beginning to build out the floors of Tower 3 at University of Colorado Hospital, and several of our hospitals are currently building out additional beds – including Medical Center of the Rockies, Longs Peak and Greeley Hospital. We are also expanding our primary and specialty care options at multiple clinic locations.

Good communication, empathy and timely responses to our patients’ needs will help UCHealth continue to be a leader in patient experience. It takes great teamwork to provide an extraordinary experience.

UCHealth is launching some critical programs to improve quality and safety. One of those programs is called “I need clarity”, an initiative to provide a safe environment for all staff when they feel patient safety may be in jeopardy.

Patient care teams are being trained to say the phrase “I need clarity” anytime they see something that needs attention or clarification – leading everyone to pause and review the situation. Programs like this have successfully reduced avoidable patient harm events at other health care organizations around the country, and I appreciate the work of our quality team to launch it here.

Finally, UCHealth’s innovation team is focusing on the future of health care. Our virtual health center is expanding the use of remote patient monitoring and examining new devices for diabetes management, blood pressure monitoring, and a mobile application that tracks and helps improve individuals’ behavioral health. Livi, our online virtual assistant, now speaks Spanish, and we’re using virtual reality to help people overcome anxiety around their treatments. In addition, patients enrolled in our biobank are beginning to receive personalized recommendations for medications and treatments – improving their health.

I’m excited that we remain focused on these priorities – helping us improve lives both today and in the years to come.

Thank you for your commitment to our patients. You make extraordinary possible, each and every day.

Right now, you, and all of our staff members and providers, continue to bravely face a significant wave of patients with COVID-19. I know you’re tired, and you need a break. I want to thank you for your inspiring dedication to our patients.

You are supporting each other, putting patients first, volunteering where needed, and ensuring that we are always providing exceptional care.

This wave of patients has tested us. Our emergency departments, urgent cares, clinics, testing locations and hospitals have been busier than ever. And with 20% more patients, we have had 20% more clinical shifts to fill. This has been a challenge – not just for us, but for hospitals throughout Colorado and across the nation.

Recently Jacob Larson, one of the first hospitalized patients at Longs Peak Hospital, returned to thank and sing for our employees. Staff and providers got to see the difference they made for him. Jacob is just one of so many patients who are reaching out or writing a note to say thank you.

As difficult as your days may be, please never forget that you make extraordinary possible. No matter where you work – as a CNA or nurse, a respiratory therapist or physician, in an administrative job or anywhere else – you are supporting our patients and our staff. Together, UCHealth is a resource for all of Colorado and for millions of patients.

As we look ahead toward the holiday season, it is a priority for you all to take care of each other and yourselves. Take the time to rest and to be together with your loved ones.

Thank you for your commitment to our patients. You make extraordinary possible, each and every day.

I want to thank you for your dedication and the patient care you’ve provided throughout this pandemic.

Looking forward, we are working on many advances in the patient care we provide.

As more and more people are seeking UCHealth’s advanced care, we are working to increase access and offer this care close to home. Many important projects are now underway throughout the communities we serve.

In southern Colorado, Grandview Medical Center is now open, providing orthopedic, sports medicine, rehabilitation, primary care and other new ambulatory services.

The new Eastview Medical Center will break ground in June on the east side of Colorado Springs, and when open, it will include a surgery center, imaging and outpatient specialties.

In metro Denver, University of Colorado Hospital’s tower 3 is now taking shape. UCH has experienced capacity challenges for many years, and when the new tower opens in 2023, these new inpatient rooms and ORs will help our staff and providers continue providing excellent, advanced care for increasing numbers of patients. A new parking garage will also help our employees and patients.

Cherry Creek Medical Center opened last fall and has already provided 50,000 patient visits.

In Longmont, the construction of Longs Peak Medical Center is making progress, and we look forward to offering our patients increased access for primary care, orthopedics and other specialty services when this building opens in Spring of 2022.

At Yampa Valley Medical Center, renovation of their emergency department is almost complete, and at Greeley Hospital, we are expanding their ICU.

Many of these facilities will help us continue our expansion of primary care throughout Colorado which has already allowed us to provide care for an additional 140,000 patients this year.

Again, I’d like to thank you for the excellent care you provide.

You are the reason why thousands of our patients are together with their families today – able to continue living their extraordinary lives.

Thank you for your commitment to our patients. You make extraordinary possible, each and every day.

Regardless of your role, you are extraordinary. And you make extraordinary possible for our patients and their families. UCHealth has cared for nearly 1,000 patients with COVID-19, and already, more than 650 patients have recovered from this frightening virus.

So this year, even though we face unprecedented challenges, I am proud to say our dedication to patients and the communities we serve is just as strong as ever. And I want you to know that UCHealth appreciates you and all of our staff members and providers.

First, I want to thank you for all you are doing to take care of our patients and their families as people around the world are being affected by COVID-19.

Countless numbers of UCHealth employees and providers are working tirelessly to respond to this disease, care for patients, and keep everyone safe. Your dedication is truly amazing.

Our goal is to ensure we are communicating with you regularly. As you know, this situation is changing daily. COVID-19 guidelines from the CDC and health departments are being updated, and we are responding accordingly:

• Multiple system and regional planning teams meet daily.
• A dedicated page on The Source is being constantly updated.
• Patient Line and our Virtual Urgent Care team are supporting clinics and caring for patients remotely.
• We’ve changed visitor policies and how we screen patients.
• We’re also providing information to the public, and we’re pleased to see that UCHealth is a trusted source for information.

These new locations have exceeded our volume projections – showing strong patient demand and a need for these new facilities. I’d like to thank everyone who has helped make these new hospitals and clinics such a success. Later this year, you’ll also see the new Tower 3 at University of Colorado Hospital begin to take shape.

Just four months ago, we announced a bold plan to integrate behavioral health care into our primary care clinics, to expand our virtual health services, and to later build a new inpatient behavioral health unit. I’m pleased to share that the first steps in this plan are already underway.

In the coming weeks, a psychologist or clinical social worker will be embedded in three of our primary care clinics – one in Colorado Springs, one in metro Denver, and another in Longmont. Staff and leaders have been hard at work for months to ensure the care we will provide is fully integrated with our primary care physicians and their teams.

While we are excited about expanding our behavioral health services, this is just one part of UCHealth’s commitment to the communities we serve. We also support programs that reduce distracted driving, encourage kids to exercise, and help people live active, healthier lives.

And importantly, no one else provides as much care for Colorado’s Medicaid patients as we do.

Reducing the cost of health care is another benefit UCHealth is providing to the communities we serve. We have already made strides here – offering lower prices at our new facilities, opening ambulatory surgery centers, and offering low-cost Virtual Visits to our patients and employees. New innovations are helping us shorten length of stay, avoid readmissions, and improve the overall health of the populations we serve. We’re also partnering directly with businesses to help them reduce their health care costs and offer lower insurance premiums. In the coming years, we will continue to focus on reducing costs.

These are just a few of the many ways UCHealth is lowering costs, improving access and serving our communities.

As you know, UCHealth’s mission is to improve lives, and we are focused on providing advanced treatments and superior outcomes as we help people live their extraordinary lives.

As we succeed in our mission, we’re seeing a record number of patients requesting our care. Some drive long distances and fight traffic just to be seen at a UCHealth location.

In the coming months, we will be taking significant strides to make our care more convenient and closer to the homes of thousands of patients. Highlands Ranch Hospital will open in the coming months with inpatient and ICU beds, a large birth center, outpatient clinics and a cancer center.

Greeley Hospital is on track to open early this summer, also providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care for this growing community. And Memorial Hospital North’s new tower opened less than two months ago.

These new facilities in each of our regions will help us provide UCHealth’s excellent care to additional patients, improve patients’ overall experience with us, and relieve the capacity challenges many of our hospitals have faced in recent years.

This summer, we are also excited to open UCHealth’s first facility dedicated to sports performance medicine on the south side of Denver, and to open an inpatient rehabilitation unit at Broomfield Hospital through a new partnership with Boulder Community Health. We are also expanding primary care and urgent care locations throughout our state.

Altogether, we will have more locations to improve lives and offer advanced treatments and clinical trials closer to home.

It takes a significant amount of work to open even one new facility – and I want to thank everyone for your dedication and hard work to get to this point.

These new locations enhance the important advancements we have recently made to our virtual visit capabilities, which allow patients to use technology to see providers from the comfort of their own homes. With the combination of these virtual and bricks-and-mortar expansions, UCHealth’s care will be more convenient than ever before.

Thank you for your commitment to our patients each and every day.

As we begin a new year, I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on the past year and the significant impact you have had on our patients and the communities we serve.

Over the past year, you have improved the lives of a record 1.6 million patients. Patients like Dave Repsher, who is alive today thanks to our expert burn and trauma care. Patients like Bob Waddell, who survived a stroke in Colorado Springs thanks to our comprehensive stroke services. And patients like Barb Wheeler, who had two elbow replacements in Steamboat Springs and is now back to gardening and caring for her farm animals.

Everything we do is focused on helping patients live their extraordinary lives.

Your focus on patients has led us to exceptional quality scores, hundreds of lives saved, and patient experience scores among the nation’s best.

You also have a significant impact on the communities we serve.

You teach classes to keep kids and teens safe and healthy, you provide behavioral health services in the community, and you help patients avoid or treat addictions to opiates. And as the state’s largest Medicaid provider, we care for patients who might be turned away from other health care providers. In fact, last year UCHealth provided 23% of all Medicaid hospitalizations.

If you add it all up, you and UCHealth provided a record $854 million in community benefits last year, including $359 million in uncompensated care.

And most importantly, patients like Crysta, Cassie and Archie are alive, healthy and living their extraordinary lives today because of the care you provide.

As always, thank you for your commitment to our patients each and every day.

Health care is also experiencing disruption as some of the nation’s largest technology companies have recently announced health care initiatives. Apple is pulling medical record info into phones and using their watches to help people track and manage their health. Amazon is partnering with other companies to improve health care and lower costs. And CVS is buying Aetna, combining the drugstore company with one of the nation’s largest health insurers.

No one knows what health care will look like in 10 or 20 years, but I know UCHealth must be at the forefront of transformation, which is why innovation is one of our key strategic pillars. Our work is focused on three areas:

• Medical treatments, including research and clinical trials
• Health care delivery, including virtual health, efficiency and patient safety
• Patient experience, including virtual reality, mobile applications, and other ways to support our patients and visitors

UCHealth is already seeing innovation success in many areas. DocLine is coordinating patient transfers, physician consult requests and LifeLine transports across our multistate region. Online scheduling and Virtual Visits are becoming more popular. New decision support tools for physicians are being launched in Epic. The UCHealth mobile app now has almost 50,000 users. The Colorado Center for Personalized Medicine and their BioBank are making important breakthroughs. And our Virtual ICU and Virtual Sitter programs are improving safety for our patients.

We have many new, promising endeavors including a pilot program for GPS mobile navigation to help patients find a parking spot and make their way inside, directly to their clinic location. Another pilot is testing a “chat bot” which allows patients to speak to UCHealth and receive information through smart speakers. These technologies offer extraordinary opportunities to improve patient experience.

Another way we’re focusing on the future is by opening a collaborative innovation center at a new building in Denver.

The Catalyst Health-Tech Innovation building will bring together more than 50 organizations – many of which are innovative health-focused startups – to work together, share ideas, experiment and innovate. UCHealth will have an innovation lab at the site to test new ideas, and we’ll help incubate and mentor startup companies.

While we might not know what health care will look like in 10 or 20 years, UCHealth’s focus on innovation will ensure we’re shaping our own future.

As always, thank you for your commitment to our patients each and every day.

One year ago, UCHealth introduced our new brand, and much has changed over the past 12 months.

As you remember, our brand is more than just our name or logo – it’s what we’re known for. It’s our reputation and how people think about UCHealth. Our brand is a key reason patients choose UCHealth for their care, and it is a key part of our unified culture and source of pride.

When we introduced our brand, we shared that we would focus on experience and innovation – giving our patients and employees the freedom to live their extraordinary lives.

Over the past year, we have done just that for millions of patients. Becky hiked a 14er after her heart transplant. Kim summited another of the world’s highest peaks. Roger has walked thousands of miles during his recovery from a stroke. David spent Father’s Day with his family and the Broncos, just 6 months after a hemorrhagic stroke.

We have also unified our look and reputation throughout the state, while continuing to improve the individualized service and experience our patients deserve.

From the UCHealth App, to Virtual Health, to partnerships with tech companies, we are also implementing many innovative services to improve care for patients and advance how we deliver health care. Our research shows patients are far more aware of UCHealth today, and patient experience scores continue to improve. This means more patients are coming to UCHealth and receiving excellent care.

I’d like to thank you for your work over the past year and your continued focus on experience, innovation, accessibility and performance. YOU are the most important part of UCHealth, and together, we are creating an extraordinary health care network.

As always, thank you for your commitment to our patients each and every day.

I’d like to thank Carolyn Sanders, UCHealth’s chief nursing executive, for her dedication to UCHealth.

Carolyn began her career as a staff nurse at University of Colorado Hospital 28 years ago, and throughout her time here, she has constantly focused on patient care, safety, quality and experience.

Our nursing department is strong because of Carolyn and our other nursing leaders, and we wish her the very best.

UCHealth’s strong performance is very different from the situation many hospitals across the nation are facing.

Dozens of facilities have announced major layoffs including some of the nation’s largest and most well-known hospitals. MD Anderson is cutting about 1,000 positions, and the New York City Health and Hospitals system is eliminating hundreds of jobs as it faces a potential budget deficit of more than a billion dollars.

Other hospitals are reducing capacity or eliminating certain high-cost services.

There are many reasons for this downsizing including financial challenges from Medicaid and Medicare, and a shift from inpatient to outpatient volume.

UCHealth is fortunate to be in a strong position, and our success has enabled us to invest in our communities and care for underserved patients while adding more than 1,000 new positions over the past year. UCHealth also remains one of the few large systems to offer an annual bonus for all staff based on performance.

We are adding new positions, and we will continue to provide a generous benefit plan. However, we must be smart about our growth and careful about adding new positions. Remaining efficient is critical to UCHealth’s long and successful future.

As always, thank you for your commitment to our patients each and every day.