INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- McLaren Health Care Corp., the largest integrated health system in Michigan, has selected hc1.com and Healthcare Forward to develop test and blood utilization programs across its 12 hospitals. This “High Value Care” initiative is designed to provide the best possible patient care while reducing unnecessary costs to the healthcare system. Click to tweet.

hc1.com is the inventor of the world's leading healthcare relationship management (HRM) platform, which leverages patient and provider data to uncover how health systems can provide better care and run more efficiently. In real-time, the hc1 platform pinpoints exactly where and why blood and test waste occur, enabling hospital staff to take the appropriate actions to maximize utilization.

Healthcare Forward is led by Dr. Tim Hannon, an anesthesiologist and transfusion safety expert with more than 20 years experience leading large-scale transformation initiatives to improve the safety, quality and efficiency of healthcare systems across the nation.

“Lab tests and blood transfusions make up a significant portion of a hospital’s annual operating budget, and reimbursements for them are falling,” said Brad Bostic, CEO of hc1.com. “Progressive healthcare systems, such as McLaren Health Care, are putting utilization programs in place to reduce the burden of cost and eliminate waste while providing better patient care.”

Each year, health systems perform nearly six billion lab tests in the United States at an annual cost of almost $70 billion. Approximately 30-50 percent of these tests are not medically necessary, according to the International Journal of Clinical Chemistry. Likewise, nearly 21 million blood products are transfused annually at a cost of almost $5 billion, and an estimated 30-60 percent of these transfusions are not necessary, according to Transfusion Medicine Review.

“High Value Care initiatives, such as blood and test utilization, are the future of healthcare,” said Dr. Michael McKenna, chief medical officer at McLaren Health Care. “Having real-time insight into our blood and test utilization, with a focus on transfusions and test appropriateness, will enable us to make the changes necessary to provide better patient outcomes at a lower cost.”

“McLaren Healthcare is ahead of the curve by launching a system-wide High Value Care program that is evidence-based, patient-centered and data-driven. The goal is to enable McLaren clinicians to provide the best possible care while reducing unnecessary costs, and Healthcare Forward along with hc1.com are honored to be partners in the effort,” said Dr. Hannon, who will lead the High Value Care strategy and execution for McLaren Health Care while leveraging the hc1 platform.

About hc1.com
hc1.com®, the leader in healthcare relationship management, is passionate about unlocking the answers that solve critical healthcare challenges.  hc1 has been adopted across more than 1,000 lab, post acute care, and health system locations, including Cleveland Clinic, Abbott, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Sonic Healthcare. The company has received accolades from Gartner Research, was named "Best Healthcare CRM" by Frost & Sullivan and is the top rated solution in the KLAS Healthcare CRM report. To learn more about the hc1 Opioid Dashboard, please visit www.hc1opioiddashboard.com. Follow us on Twitter @hc1_HRM,  LinkedIn, and Facebook.

About Healthcare Forward
Healthcare Forward is a healthcare consulting firm located in Indianapolis, Ind. The company is led by Dr. Tim Hannon, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to bridge the gap between the current volume-based, provider centric healthcare system and a future system that is value-based and patient centered. Healthcare Forward partners with leading healthcare systems to implement comprehensive High Value Care programs designed to improve care while greatly reducing unnecessary costs. To learn more about Healthcare Forward services, please email info@healthcare-forward.com.

For information contact: 

Linda Muskin, 847-432-7300
lmuskin@teamclarus.com

Mara Conklin, 847-816-9411
mconklin@teamclarus.com