Unlocking trapped value in healthcare: 800% efficiency boost

Outcome Snapshot

Summa Health System

About the Client
About the Project

Summa Health System is one of the largest integrated healthcare delivery systems in Ohio, serving more than 1 million patients annually in the Akron and surrounding areas. With a mission to provide the highest quality, compassionate care to its patients, Summa Health operates a network of hospitals, ambulatory centers, and outpatient clinics. They are recognized for their commitment to innovative healthcare solutions and improving patient outcomes, making them a leader in the healthcare industry.

Formed in 1989 with the merger of Akron City and St. Thomas Hospitals, their nonprofit system has 8,000+ employees; nearly 1,000 credentialed physicians; and buildings and facilities totaling more than 3 million square feet across all of their campuses.

Summa Hospital | Akron, Ohio

Stakeholders: Senior Administration

Healthcare, Post-Merger Integration, Business Process Transformation

Project conducted between October 2013 - June 2014

The Challenge

Summa Health faced a significant challenge in integrating disparate systems and processes following a merger, which impacted operational efficiencies across their ambulatory clinics.

The complexity of the Post-Merger Integration (PMI) project was compounded by the need to identify and unlock trapped value across multiple areas, including purchasing cycles, supply chains, and EMR implementations.

The goal was to streamline workflows, reduce inefficiencies, and uncover new revenue opportunities—all while managing the expectations of diverse stakeholders from various departments.

PMO Lead
Strategy
Process Engineering

Architecting the Change

We led the Project Management Office (PMO) for the Post-Merger Integration, focusing on identifying and unlocking trapped and untapped value (TUV) across Summa Health’s ambulatory divisions.
Our role involved conducting in-depth interviews, facilitating collaborative work sessions, and analyzing workflows to uncover inefficiencies. Through our TUV analysis, we identified over 43 trapped value items across three clinics, leading to significant improvements, including an 800% increase in service capacity, 11,000+ reclaimed utilization hours, and a $10M revenue opportunity in one clinic alone. We provided ongoing executive communications and reports, driving the project to successful completion.
Our unique TUV methodology enabled us to see what others might miss—trapped value hidden within complex healthcare workflows. By focusing on detailed observations and pattern recognition, we uncovered inefficiencies and untapped revenue streams that were not immediately apparent.
 
Our ability to connect seemingly disparate data points and processes allowed us to identify high-impact opportunities that traditional methodologies might overlook. This approach, combined with our deep understanding of healthcare systems, drove the extraordinary results achieved.

The Transformation

Using our multidimensional approach to change

Through our targeted TUV analysis and workflow re-engineering, we addressed critical bottlenecks that had been hindering Summa Health’s operations.

One notable breakthrough was in a physician’s office, where patient wait times were reduced from three hours to just 20 minutes, dramatically increasing patient satisfaction and throughput. This change alone contributed to the 800% increase in service capacity across the system.

Our approach not only improved operational efficiency but also uncovered significant revenue opportunities that had been previously overlooked. The reclaimed 11,000+ utilization hours and identified $10M in revenue potential exemplify the deep impact of our work.

By strategically re-engineering processes and systems, we enabled Summa Health to realize its full potential post-merger, setting a new standard for operational excellence.

Targeted Workflow Re-engineering: Focused adjustments in workflows, particularly in outpatient centers, led to massive gains in efficiency and revenue generation.

Significant Revenue Potential: Identified a $10M revenue opportunity in just one clinic, highlighting the importance of uncovering and leveraging trapped value.

Patient-Centric Improvements: Reducing patient wait times from 3 hours to 20 minutes not only improved satisfaction but also increased throughput and capacity by 800%.

Comprehensive TUV Analysis: The TUV method identified 43 key items, with 21 high-priority impacts, across three clinics, driving strategic decision-making and resource allocation.

The Data Points

Utilization Hours Reclaimed
0 +
Rev Opportunity
$ 0 M
Increase Service Capacity
0 %
Items Identified
0

You may be asking "Is a project like this worth the investment?"

The investment in this project paid off exponentially, not only by unlocking trapped value and increasing operational efficiency but also by uncovering significant revenue opportunities that had been previously overlooked.

The project’s outcomes—ranging from an 800% increase in service capacity to the identification of a $10M revenue opportunity—demonstrate the high strategic value of this work. The enhanced patient experience and reclaimed productivity hours further reinforce the worth of such an investment, making it a critical component of any healthcare system’s strategy post-merger.

Maximized Operational Efficiency

The project resulted in an 800% increase in service capacity, demonstrating the substantial return on investment in workflow optimization.

Significant Revenue Generation

By identifying a $10M revenue opportunity in one clinic alone, the project showcased the financial benefits of our TUV analysis and re-engineering efforts.

Enhanced Patient Experience

Reducing patient wait times from 3 hours to 20 minutes significantly improved patient satisfaction, a critical outcome for maintaining a competitive edge in healthcare.

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