Unlocking value for the University of Vermont Health Network

Unlocking value for the University of Vermont Health Network

By Philips  Featuring University of Vermont Health Network ∙ thg 12 31, 2023 ∙ 2 min read

Case study

Hospital operations

Optimization services

The University of Vermont Health Network is an integrated academic health system serving a population of more than a million people in Vermont and northern New York. The network includes the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC) in Burlington, the primary teaching facility for medical students at the University of Vermont. UVMMC needed to create an environment in which radiologists and staff could access cutting-edge technology and stay abreast of the latest breakthroughs.

Case study at a glance:

Partner

University of Vermont Health Network

Challenge

The initial need was multi-slice CT technology 

Solution

What started as a research and development collaboration grew into a 10-year, long-term strategic partnership covering multiple modalities.

Results

  • Overall equipment uptime: 99.62%
  • Ontime patient scheduling with reduced modality backlog
  • UVMHN overall net promoter score: 93.8
  • Service quality score: 96
  • Clinical education score: 99.9
  • Savings of over $5 million since 2017
  • Lowered overall service cost by $500K annually

Clinician looks at radiology images on a monitor

This need became particularly evident at the start of the CT multi-slice revolution, when the technology was advancing quickly and the UVMMC radiology department had to find a way to stay relevant in CT. UVMMC approached Philips to discuss a collaborative agreement that would provide radiologists at UVMMC with multi-slice CT scanners. Radiology would work with Philips software developers on the protocols and scanning techniques for patient imaging. Initially, they embarked on a five-year agreement based on co-developing 16-slice, 40-slice and 64-slice CT.

The solution: an evolving partnership

As the relationship progressed, an opportunity presented itself for Philips to take inventory of the complete UVMMC radiology digital X-ray system. In doing so, the team developed a digital X-ray fleet program that outlined the equipment to review, end-of-life equipment cycles, current software versions and operating systems, a potential replacement and/or upgrade schedule and patient safety issues.

Medical team collaborates with partners

The deepening partnership enabled the teams to unlock increased value from their technology by understanding the synchronization of people and processes. This approach was also taken to help the network properly embed Philips PerformanceBridge, a real-time data platform that aggregates data from multiple sources like RIS, PACS and financial systems to help drive improvement in areas such as asset optimization, workflow and planning.

The relationship evolved to become a 10-year, long-term strategic partnership that went beyond radiology. “What was initially a transactional relationship has given way to true value with even greater involvement, including network radiology, cardiology and patient monitoring,” says Rick Penny, Solutions Leader for Long-term Strategic Partnerships at Philips.

“Over the years, we have undertaken small, medium and large-scale changes together. The result has been striking improvements in outcomes, and efficiency, and growth in market share.“

Matt Egan

Customer Delivery Manager at Philips

Positive results

“Over the years, we have undertaken small, medium and large-scale changes together,” says Matt Egan, Customer Delivery Manager at Philips. “The result has been striking improvements in outcomes and efficiency, and growth in market share.”

The long-term strategic partnership between the University of Vermont Health Network and Philips has unlocked value:

Improved patient experience

  • Overall equipment uptime: 99.62%
  • Ontime patient scheduling with reduced modality backlog 

Improved staff experience

  • UVMHN overall net promoter score: 93.8
  • Service quality score: 96
  • Clinical education score: 99.9

Technology asset planning

  • Resistance to obsolescence, equipment end of life
  • Maintain cutting-edge imaging technology

Partnership savings

  • Savings total over $5 million since 2017 for the University of Vermont Medical Center
  • Lowered overall service cost by $500K annually with the University of Vermont Health Network-wide Multi-Vendor Service Agreement

Case study

Unlocking value for the University of Vermont Health Network

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