From tipping point to balance

A few years ago, author Malcolm Gladwell described a social phenomenon he called the “tipping point.” This is the level at which momentum for change becomes unstoppable. Witness the success of TV’s Sesame Street, the birth of music on CD, and the ready acceptance of other big ideas and technologies, such as cell phones and reality TV.

I believe we’re at that point in health care reform. Although it will take many months to fully enact, reform is changing forever the business of health care. Services that used to be completely mission-driven have been growing increasingly competitive and subject to market forces.

Interestingly, the forces of reform may actually drive hospitals toward greater collaboration and partnerships, as they explore ways to provide higher quality care at a lower cost. For instance, as the Federal government mandates standardized electronic health records (EHR), it will make sense for area hospitals to combine IT resources. EHR will tip from being a unique service offering to a simple commodity. As long as we all must provide it, let’s work together to provide a better product at a lower cost.

Partnering with other groups to provide better services, technology and brain power is a good idea. Collaboration is the key to success in health care reform. It creates a tipping point that’s good for the business of health care, good for the regional business climate, and good for the people of our community.

Dan Wakeman
President/CEO