Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the outstanding Power Breakfast program presented by the Wilmington Business Journal on healthcare. Rob Kaiser, Publisher of WBJ did a tremendous job in planning and promoting this event. It was a packed house and one of the better panel discussions I’ve seen recently on healthcare. The panelists included: Jack Barto, President and CEO of New Hanover Regional Medical Center; Jeff James, CEO of Wilmington Health Associates; Charles Long, CEO of David Health Care Center; Garland Scott, CEO of UnitedHealthcare of North Carolina and South Carolina; and William Sharbaugh, COO of PPD. The panel was moderated by Rob Kaiser. I was impressed by two key things the panel did: (i) they directly discussed the critical role that patient personal responsibility plays in solving the nation’s healthcare challenges; and (ii) they focused on the opportunities for providers rather than the drawbacks or challenges posed by the healthcare [insurance] reform legislation. Here are a few of the key observations and comments from the panel discussion:

1. Bill Sharbaugh noted that employers need to focus more on wellness programs and the health of employees. Mr. Barto acknowledged that New Hanover Regional Medical Center was also implementing incentives for its own employees to conduct an annual health assessment. In addition, he stated that in their cafeteria, for example, they charge less for healthy foods than they do for unhealthy foods (i.e., it costs less for a Diet Coke than a regular Coke and costs less for fruit than processed junk food). He also acknowledged the role N.C. Prevention Partners played in implementing this program.

2. Mr. Barto stated that New Hanover Regional Medical Center was in the process of expanding its homecare business. He believes it is critical for healthcare providers going forward.

3. Mr. Barto also mentioned that he views health information exchanges as a key component to improving efficiency and quality in healthcare. Further to Mr. Barto’s point, Mr. James emphasized the need to “tighten the transitions in care”. For example, when a patient moves from acute to post-acute to long-term or home care, there needs to be better coordination and attention to the transition.

4. Mr. James also stated that there needs to be more transparency, generally, in the healthcare industry. Mr. Scott agreed on greater transparency on price as well as transparency on quality and outcomes data.

5. One of the innovations Mr. Sharbaugh mentioned was that PPD has an in-house medical clinic for routine medical problems of its employees. We have seen a number of large employers take this route to help combat workplace absenteeism due sickness and doctor’s appointments for minor illness.

6. Overall Mr. Barto was generally bullish on healthcare in Wilmington but not nationwide. He stated that the Wilmington area has one main hospital, cooperative physicians and excellent post-acute care. He said that formula would lead them to success where others would face challenges. Overall the mix should allow that area to respond more quickly than others to change.

7. Overall the presenters were generally upbeat about the prospects for healthcare in the future, viewing the recent legislative regulatory changes and the current difficult economic environment more as opportunities for success rather than challenges or insurmountable difficulties.

The Wilmington Business Journal did a fantastic job putting on this conference.

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