Changes in the Healthcare Environment Prompt Leaders to Think Digitally

Hospitals have been facing an epic crisis, with the COVID-19 pandemic overwhelming emergency departments and forcing the implementation of surge protocols to manage care delivery and treatment. These realities have affected both inpatient care delivery and caregiver effectiveness. The need to reevaluate clinical operations is challenging the healthcare delivery structure and its leadership to think differently—digitally. Supporting care for patients in the home has played an important role in mitigating many safety and access issues, accelerating telehealth adoption and solidifying its place in the ongoing transformation of healthcare delivery. As this shift continues to unfold, it is also bringing an opportunity to improve clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and cost reduction efforts as well as advance access and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the US healthcare delivery system.