OSF HealthCare Newsroom

OSF HealthCare Launches OSF OnCall Primary Care On the Go to expand access in rural and underserved communities

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:19:05 -0500

OSF HealthCare is expanding access to primary care with the launch of OSF OnCall Primary Care On the Go, an innovative mobile clinic designed to bring high-quality, in-person health care directly to communities where access to primary care is limited.

The new service combines the convenience of a mobile clinic with the continuity of a traditional primary care practice by providing a dedicated advanced practice provider (APP) and support staff who deliver ongoing, relationship-based care. The first mobile clinic will strategically serve communities where access to primary care has been limited, including areas on the west side of Rockford.

Scheduled permanent stops in Rockford include:

· St. Bernadette Church, 2400 Bell Avenue

· Patriots Gateway Community Center, 615 S 5th Street

· St. Elizabeth Adult Center, 1505 S Main Street

"Access to primary care remains one of the biggest challenges facing many rural and underserved communities," says Kate Barth, MSN, vice president OnDemand Services, OSF OnCall. Primary Care On the Go allows us to meet patients where they are while providing the same trusted, consistent care they would receive in one of our primary care offices."

Unlike many mobile health services that focus on a single specialty or one-time event, OSF OnCall Primary Care On the Go is designed to function as a true primary care practice. People can establish an ongoing relationship with the same provider and receive preventive care, chronic disease management, wellness visits and treatment for common illnesses.

The mobile clinic also offers:

Lab draws
Point-of-care testing
Electrocardiograms (EKGs)
Treatment for common illnesses such as colds, flu, sore throats, rashes and pink eye
Virtual care options when appropriate

Visitors to the clinic will experience the same scheduling process available at traditional OSF primary care clinics, including appointment booking through OSF MyChart once the service launches. Visits are billed the same as a traditional primary care appointment, with no difference in co-pays compared to office-based care.

As the program grows, OSF HealthCare also plans to partner with employers to bring primary care services closer to workplaces, making it easier for employees to receive routine health care without traveling long distances or taking significant time away from work.

OSF OnCall Primary Care On the Go reflects a continued commitment from OSF HealthCare to develop innovative solutions that improve access, strengthen community health and remove barriers to care.

Anyone interested in this option will be able to find clinic locations, schedules and appointment availability through OSF MyChart and the OSF OnCall website when the service launches in mid-August.

B-roll

A vitamin D-lightful summer

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Summer is a time to soak up the sun. Sun rays are a primary source of vitamin D, an important tool for our body. Should you be concerned that you’re getting too much or too little vitamin D? Experts say if you know your body and take the usual sun precautions, you should have a worry-free summer.

Vitamin D basics

Maddy Draper, APRN, a health care provider at OSF OnCall, says vitamin D is a nutrient our body needs to produce calcium. Calcium helps create strong teeth and bones. So logically, not having enough vitamin D leads to brittle bones (a risk for greater injury after a fall), plus muscle aches and pains. Others with a vitamin D deficiency may not show symptoms. Either way, a provider may order a blood test to confirm the issue and then may advise you to take a supplement. This is usually in pill form and can be prescribed or bought over the counter by itself or as part of a multivitamin.

“Or the provider may just talk about vitamin D-rich foods first before starting a supplement,” Draper says. “High fat fishes, egg yolks, some cheeses and mushrooms.”

Draper adds that pregnant women, babies (especially babies who are breastfed), the elderly and people with darker skin often lack vitamin D.

On the flip side, Draper says it’s rare, but a person can get too much vitamin D. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting and heart palpitations (feeling like your heartbeat is fast, pounding or otherwise irregular). You may also suffer kidney damage.

Summer sun

Here’s advice to commit to memory: Draper says research shows 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure three times a day can get you a healthy amount of vitamin D.

“You want to protect your skin while doing that,” Draper adds. “Sunscreen and protective clothing like a hat and sunglasses. There’s not any research showing that sunscreen or clothes will prevent you from getting the vitamin D you need.”

Experts say your sunscreen should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, and you should reapply every two hours. Clothing should be lightweight and light colored (Dark colors absorb more sunlight, leading to quicker heat illness.) Stay hydrated, and watch for redness and blisters from sunburns and suspicious moles that may be skin cancer. See a provider right away if you have issues from getting too much sun.

Another thing to note: Experts say a specialized lamp can help with seasonal affective disorder, a mental health condition often seen in the winter due to decreased daylight. The same logic does not apply for vitamin D. You need natural, not artificial light to get the vitamin D you need.

The bottom line

Draper says most people don’t have to worry about getting too much or too little vitamin D.

“The average person will get it through the sun,” Draper says. “If you live in a cold and dark environment, you’re at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency. People farther away from the equator are higher risk.”

If you have symptoms of too much or too little vitamin D or just have a concern, talk to your primary care provider.

Interview clips

OSF CompleteCare 55+ marks first year with growth and improved community health

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:16:23 -0500

Carla Richardson of Beverly on the southwest side of Chicago loves it when her grandson tells her, “You’re lookin’ fresh Nonnie!” She jokes, “This is what 77 looks like. But then again, I’m an old hippie.”

Richardson also credits her "fresh look” to her positive attitude and the consistent care she’s been receiving at OSF CompleteCare 55+. The clinic at 99^th and Western Avenue in Evergreen Park opened a year ago this month. It offers a new kind of primary care targeting older adults with ongoing health conditions who are looking for community, hands-on care and 24/7 access to real providers, not chatbots.

For Richardson, the vibe is great.

“They’re glad to see you. You don’t feel like you’re a patient. You feel like you’re going somewhere where someone really cares about you. They keep in touch with you, which is so important. I get texts from Taylor [Taylor Wen, PA, her OSF CompleteCare 55+provider] on MyChart, and it’s just an interaction that is rare.”

Richardson was diagnosed four years ago with pulmonary sarcoidosis, and she has a history of pulmonary embolism and pneumonia. Plus, she has to be on blood thinners. Frustrated with her previous care, she tried OSF Complete Care 55+ shortly after it opened, and she’s been thrilled with her experience.

“My first experience with Taylor was just phenomenal. She was knowledgeable, patient, and she seemed like she cared. And going to doctors, sometimes you're just a patient number. And I didn't feel that here.”

Wen, a physician assistant, also sent Richardson to get a bone density scan where Richardson learned she had severe osteoporosis – so bad that she had to reduce the weight of her purse for fear it would break her wrist. Richardson is so grateful because she believes knowledge is power.

Staying connected to consistent care

Although she doesn’t consider herself computer savvy, Richardson says she’s learned to use OSF MyChart, and it keeps her connected to Wen.

“It’s easy to use, and it helps me monitor and keep up with my own health issues. I like the fact it reminds me when I have appointments coming up. I’m retired but I’m still busy.”

Richardson remembers when doctors made house calls and says the care she’s getting now reminds her of that.

“When the doctor would come to your house with his bag. I know it was 100 years ago. But it’s so personal now, here. And you go to other places, and you’re waiting and waiting. And no one really seems to care.”

The 6,300 square-foot clinic features 12 exam rooms and on-site labs. Sandy Valino Stock, DO, medical director of OSF CompleteCare 55+, says many people enjoy the option to connect digitally 24/7. Virtual visits make it easy to get answers to questions, especially after hours when symptoms aren’t severe enough for emergency care. Richardson says that kind of convenience could save her from long waits in the emergency department, only to be sent home with a quick evaluation and remedy.

Dr. Valino Stock says about half of the people who use the clinic take advantage of virtual visits, while the other half are seen in-person.

“Patients love the virtual concept because they don’t have to miss as much work. It’s just convenient for them,” Dr. Valino Stock shares. “Sometimes it’s a case where the patient comes into the clinic and their loved one wants to be tuned in, but they’re at work. So, they can be virtual during that visit, and they can be present if they need to be.”

More than half of the clinic’s patients have high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol, one-fourth have diabetes and significant osteoarthritis, and about 10% have heart failure.

But consistent care is helping improve those conditions. For example, almost 80% of patients are now meeting blood pressure and A1c targets, up from 34% and 58% respectively.

The clinic has also seen success in increasing completion rates for screenings such as mammograms, bone density tests and colonoscopies. These preventive steps are often overlooked, but they play a key role in long-term health.

GLP1 medication management is available

As people age, weight management can also become more difficult as metabolism naturally slows. Dr. Valino Stock explains that metabolism typically declines by 1% to 2% each year after age 20. At CompleteCare 55+, more than half of patients are overweight or meet obesity criteria. This is important because extra weight on the body leads to most of the medical conditions being treated.

GLP-1 medications such as Mounjaro or Ozempic are, as Dr. Valino Stock put it, “magical” in helping people lose weight. But the GLP-1 journey requires regular check-ins and medication management.

“We see them monthly for the most part as they’re getting started on these GLP-1s. So, patients have better success at getting healthier, whether it’s controlling their blood sugars or lowering their weight and doing it in a healthy manner where they can maintain their muscle and minimize the side effects.”

Many who enroll in OSF CompleteCare 55+ are women in pre-menopause and menopause. The outlook for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for menopause has fundamentally shifted in the past 10 years. Following major reviews, experts now recognize that for most healthy women under 60 or within 10 years of the onset of menopause, the benefits of HRT far outweigh the risks.

“If no contraindications, we can help women sleep better, have a little bit more energy, feel themselves and just continue life because life is very busy. So, if we can help a woman get a good night’s sleep, everything changes for that woman.”

Beyond direct medical care, digital health care navigators at a “Connect Bar” in the lobby also help with insurance issues, coordinating appointments with specialists and navigating OSF MyChart and other tools to monitor their health. Events such as Tech Tuesday also allow for group sessions to address technology challenges.

Navigators also connect people with resources to address social needs such as transportation to appointments or senior centers or food insecurity. Through educational events with speakers on health topics and partnerships with local organizations, clinic leaders continue to learn more about the needs of the people they're serving.

Additionally, regular outreach efforts keep providers connected. For example, at the OSF CompleteCare 55+ clinic, any community member can access free blood pressure screenings from 10 a.m.-noon every first and third Tuesday of the month.

Learn more here about OSF CompleteCare 55+ primary care.

Video clips with Carla Richardson

Video clips with Dr. Sandy Valino Stock

B-roll-OSF CompleteCare 55+

OSF OnCall Contact Center to receive Outstanding Contact Center Culture Award

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:08:00 -0500

OSF OnCall, the digital and virtual care division of OSF HealthCare, has been recognized for Outstanding Contact Center Culture, honoring its commitment to a positive, empowering, and inclusive workplace where team members thrive and patient care is enhanced. The award will be presented at Healthcare Call and Contact Center’s 35th Annual Conference, June 3-5, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Serving patients and care teams across the entire OSF HealthCare Ministry, the OSF OnCall Contact Center has built a culture grounded in compassion, collaboration and continuous learning and it is a culture that is producing measurable results.

An annual confidential employee engagement survey shows the Digital Experience division, which includes the contact center, earned an engagement score of 4.5, with 61% of respondents classified as highly engaged — 0.41 points above the OSF average and 0.51 points above the national health care employee average.

That engagement translates directly into patient experience. Following the launch of an emotional intelligence training program in 2024, call quality scores increased by more than 15% within six months, and net promoter scores improved by an average of +14.66 points compared to the previous year. Patient feedback consistently highlights empathy, reassurance and clear communication.

The contact center’s culture has also driven dramatic improvements in recruitment and retention. Staffing grew by 44% from fiscal year 2023 to fiscal year 2025, while turnover dropped from 31.6% to 10.1% — nearly a 70% reduction over two years.

The OSF OnCall Contact Center has received national recognition for its innovative virtual care, including the 2023 ICMI Global Contact Center Award for Best Strategic Value to the Organization.

A key differentiator has been the creation of the Digital Experience Division Unit Practice Council, empowering Mission Partners at all levels to lead initiatives, strengthen communication and shape their work environment. The council has launched division-wide engagement activities, recognition programs and community outreach efforts, including an Angel Tree campaign benefiting children and families.

“The Best Contact Center Culture Award recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional employee engagement, leadership support, inclusivity and measurable business impact. OSF OnCall has shown it is excelling in all these important areas that contribute to a culture where employees want to work and patients are well served.”-Jessica Levco, Writer & Event Strategist, Healthcare Contact Center Times

For OSF OnCall, the recognition affirms that culture is not simply an internal priority — it is a strategic driver of performance, patient loyalty and long-term sustainability.

High-Tech ‘Victoria’ prepares OSF for birth emergencies

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:15:53 -0600

Health care providers with OSF HealthCare are training for rare but high-risk childbirth emergencies inside a mobile OSF OnCall pregnancy and postpartum van, using a new high-tech birthing simulator designed to replicate real-life labor and delivery situations.

Advanced practice providers (APPs) staff the mobile OB unit which serves a dozen communities in Illinois considered maternity care deserts, meaning the county has no hospitals providing obstetric care, no birth centers, no OB/GYN and no certified nurse midwives. Recently completed hands-on simulation training is helping prepare the OB/GYN APPs for unexpected deliveries and complications that could occur while caring for patients on the road. Although delivering a baby inside the van is unlikely, leaders say readiness is critical.

Amy Mefford, an advanced practice registered nurse with OSF OnCall, says the training focuses on managing both routine and emergency situations.

“What can happen, how do we manage this and be able to comprehend and evaluate and take care of this situation in real life. And sims training (with Victoria) has just been amazing for us,” Mefford shares.

Focusing on hemorrhage

One of the most important scenarios providers practice is postpartum hemorrhage – a leading cause of maternal complications.

“I think doing the hemorrhage sims repetitively on a regular basis is extremely helpful for our team. It’s not something we hope we see on this van, but when we do, we want to feel confident, know the steps on managing hemorrhage,” Mefford stresses. “We have what we need on the van to manage those scenarios and to get the EMS team to us as soon as possible.”

The training relies on a lifelike manikin named Victoria, a high-fidelity instrument of sorts who simulates a full range of obstetrical events to facilitate teamwork and deepen critical thinking skills. Jake Wilson, who oversees simulation training at Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center at OSF HealthCare in Peoria, says Victoria can simulate a variety of birthing emergencies.

“We can do normal vaginal deliveries. We can do C-sections. She has an ultrasound belly. She has a maternal hemorrhage feature. She even has a belly that can simulate a baby being the wrong direction and they can manipulate the baby to turn it around. She has a ton of features that have been a big help to us,” Wilson shares.

Lifelike simulation of birthing experience

Victoria talks, blinks, breathes and responds to questions. The enhanced manikin from previous models used at OSF includes new interactive eyes with automatic visual object tracking and lifelike movements. She also has a fully programmable airway to control breathing and circulation physiological parameters so she can become flushed or sweat.

During the recent simulation, from a tablet, Wilson changes conditions in real time and allows teams to practice decision-making under pressure. Wilson says the technology represents a major advancement. The manikin is fully wireless and mobile, allowing training to take place not only in simulation labs, but also inside mobile units such as the OSF OnCall pregnancy and postpartum van. It is part of regular, required training according to Wilson.

“We have regular Family Birthing Center simulations for the nurses and doctors across the street here at OSF Saint Francis who come through and practice maternal hemorrhage simulations. They do maternal hypertension simulations, and that is an annual simulation that they are required to do.”

Because Victoria is mobile, she can also be transported to other hospitals within the OSF Ministry to be used for on-site training. Practicing common emergencies such as hemorrhage, breech or C-section in a realistic environment, Wilson says, helps teams react more quickly and effectively when seconds matter.

OSF leaders say Victoria’s realistic features and functions, combined with ongoing education and collaboration, help strengthen maternal care and should improve outcomes across the region. The simulations with Victoria are part of a comprehensive OSF strategy to improve maternal-fetal health and birthing outcomes.

Here are other stories featuring additional approaches:

OSF HealthCare offers another layer of monitoring for moms and babies

OSF OnCall to offer enhanced obstetric care in the I-80 region

24-7 connection through OSF OnCall empowers patients and improves outcomes

Virtual breastfeeding support available through OSF OnCall

Video clips with Amy Mefford

Video Clips with Jake Wilson

B-roll-Victoria birthing manikin training

Top 10 OSF HealthCare digital health and innovation stories of 2025

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0600

Brrrrrrrrrrr!

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:34:35 -0600

It’s the dead of winter, and you need to run to the mailbox or let your dog out. It’s just a minute, you think. A sweater and sandals will be fine.

Not so fast, says Maddy Draper, APRN, a health care provider at OSF OnCall who sees cold weather injuries often. She says exposure to frigid temperatures can have serious consequences.

Types of cold weather injuries

Frostnip: Draper says this is a mild form of frostbite where exposure to cold temperatures turns the skin pink or red. Your skin may feel burning or numb.

“The numbness typically goes away with rewarming,” Draper says.

Frostbite: This is a more severe case of cold exposure. Your skin may be numb and appear yellow, white, gray or black. It may feel waxy and have blisters.
Hypothermia: This is when the body’s temperature drops below 95 degrees.

“There are different stages,” Draper explains. “The first is our natural response of shivering. It gets more severe. The person may get confused and have lethargy, memory loss and slurred speech. It can lead to a coma and death.”

Inside, too?

Yes, there’s a risk for these injuries inside, too, Draper says. Notably, there have been cases of infants getting hypothermia.

“The room may be too cold, and they’re not dressed appropriately,” Draper says. “If they’re in a bassinet or crib with just a onesie and it’s cold, that can lead to hypothermia.”

Signs of infant hypothermia are bright red skin and decreased energy. Sleep experts use a thermal overall grade scale (TOG) to suggest how much clothing a baby should wear to sleep depending on the temperature of the room.

Treatment

Draper says she usually sees cases of frostbite and hypothermia sent to the emergency department. Providers will rewarm you with warm water or blankets and may provide warm liquids to drink, warmed oxygen through a mask and nasal tube or heated fluids through an intravenous line (IV) or other methods. Medication can also help with pain and blood flow.

“The hospital has more imaging resources to see the impact of the tissue damage,” compared to urgent care, Draper says.

For frostnip, you can take steps to warm up at home.

“It’s not as fast as possible. It’s not as hot as possible. It’s just that gradual warming,” Draper says. “Get off your cool or wet clothes immediately. You don’t want to stick your hands or feet into hot, steaming water. Just warm water.”

That’s because hot water can burn your skin. And if your skin is numb, you may not feel the burn before the damage is done. If water is not available, you can place your hands in your armpits. And handle the sensitive skin gently. Don’t rub or massage it. If your feet are affected, get off your feet.

Prevention

Draper says older adults, people who work or do activities outside (like hunters or hikers), unhoused people and people with medical conditions (like peripheral artery disease, diabetes and Raynaud’s disease) are at a higher risk of cold weather injuries. Getting stranded in a vehicle without proper protection is also common in the winter. Drinking alcohol or using drugs may lead to you losing consciousness outside. And smoking impacts blood circulation, putting you at a higher risk, Draper says.

Some ways to beat the cold:

Dress in layers. You can always take a layer off, but you can’t put one on if you leave it at home. Make a hat, scarf, gloves and winter boots part of your wardrobe. Make sure the clothes aren’t too tight to allow for blood circulation. And look for water-resistant garments when buying clothes.
Have winter weather supplies, like blankets, flares, a first aid kit and food, in your vehicle.
Be well fed and hydrated. Body fat, though unhealthy in excess, helps us stay warm. For drinks, avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages.
During outdoor activities, take breaks and go with a buddy. Keep a close eye on kids who may not realize how cold they are. Come inside to change from wet to dry clothes. Let others know your plans and when you’ll be back. If you’re not back in time, that’s a sign you may have fallen victim to the cold, and help should be sent.

Interview clips

Virtual urgent care could be your best bet for respiratory virus season

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 11:15:23 -0500

As the respiratory virus season kicks into high gear, virtual urgent care is a great option.

Instead of having to wait until a walk-in clinic opens, OSF OnCall offers virtual care options that are available 24/7 year-round, including holidays and weekends. Some of issues that can be handled virtually include colds, stuffy or runny nose, cough, headache, sore throat, fever, or muscle aches, urinary tract infections, bites and stings, fatigue, upset stomach, pink eye, rashes.

If you are having difficulty breathing, that’s a medical emergency and you should go straight to the Emergency Department.

Kate Barth, vice president/chief nursing officer for On-Demand Services, OSF OnCall, says consumers want health care options that are convenient, like what they’re used to experiencing with online shopping and banking. That’s why OSF offers lower-cost, easy virtual urgent care options, especially when a minor illness or injury happens after hours.

“It’s the mom with multiple children who are sleeping and (she thinks) ‘I have a sick kiddo who I cannot console and what do I do?’ Seeking out virtual urgent care in those options is such a great opportunity to connect with a provider who typically would serve you in that urgent care setting,” says Barth.

For a flat fee, you can choose an online interview, or a video visit and you’ll be connected with the same experienced providers you’d see during an in-person visit to an OSF OnCall Urgent Care clinic.

Individuals who want to virtually access OSF OnCall Urgent Care can select an online interview (taking between 5-15 minutes), where they’re asked a series of questions about symptoms and how they’re feeling. Their information will be reviewed within an hour. Using a chat feature, additional information could be requested before an OSF HealthCare provider offers a treatment plan.

If a provider needs to visualize something, a video visit is also available.

Barth says, “Maybe the provider would need to visualize the bug bite or something that looks like a rash, so we do have that video option also available to be able to assess that situation and be able to give a diagnosis in that case as well.”

If treatment requires medication, a prescription can be sent to the pharmacy of the individual’s choice.

What happens if the online consult or video visit reveals someone needs to be seen in-person?

“We all know there are things that sometimes can’t be virtually treated,” says Barth. “Sometimes a lab test may be needed, or a hands-on assessment might be needed to confirm a diagnosis. In that case, we simply refund that virtual visit knowing that it is best-case scenario for you to be seen in an actual urgent care setting.”

For example, sprains and strains can usually be assessed virtually, but broken bones can only be confirmed through an X-ray, which is available at an OSF OnCall Urgent Care walk-in location.

You can find more information or start a virtual visit anytime at osfoncall.org.

Kate Barth

B-roll-OSF OnCall Virtual Urgent Care

OSF HealthCare offers another layer of monitoring for moms and babies

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 16:13:09 -0500

OSF HealthCare is elevating patient safety and care in its labor and delivery units through the introduction of a groundbreaking virtual monitoring program that enhances traditional bedside care with advanced technology and expert support.

Fetal and maternal monitoring during labor and delivery is critical for ensuring the well-being of both mother and baby. For newborns, electronic fetal heart rate monitoring helps detect early signs of distress—such as reduced oxygen supply, abnormal heart rate patterns, or umbilical cord compression—allowing healthcare providers to intervene before complications arise. For mothers, continuous monitoring of vital signs, contractions, and labor progress can help identify potential concerns like excessive bleeding, infection, high blood pressure, or complications related to anesthesia.

Now, OSF HealthCare is layering additional support into this essential care by launching a new Virtual Labor and Delivery Monitoring Program across all of its hospitals with birthing units.

“This program adds an extra layer of safety by providing 24/7 remote monitoring through our OSF OnCall team, who work hand-in-hand with bedside caregivers,” says Kate Johnson, manager of Digital Care-Women’s Services, OSF OnCall. “It does not replace our in-person care teams but gives them additional expert eyes on every laboring patient.”

Using PeriWatch Vigilance, an AI-enhanced software, a centralized team of OSF OnCall registered nurses known as the OSF OnCall Acute OB team monitors laboring patients in real time. The system uses tiered, color-coded alerts to signal early signs of potential complications. When an alert is triggered, the OnCall Acute OB nurses coordinate directly with the in-hospital care team to ensure prompt follow-up.

Importantly, this service does not require any new equipment for mothers or babies and comes at no additional cost to patients or payors.

The OSF OnCall Acute OB team supports all OSF hospitals with labor and delivery services, including:

Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria
Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Evergreen Park
Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford
Saint Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington
Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville
Saint Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa
Saint Mary Medical Center in Galesburg

OSF HealthCare believes it might be among the first health systems in the state to offer this level of AI-supported maternal and fetal monitoring, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and safety.

“Every mom and baby deserves the highest standard of care. This new technology ensures that we are watching over them even more closely, supporting our Mission to serve with the greatest care and love,” Johnson added.

B-roll-OSF OnCall monitoring of Family Birthing Units

As COVID, Flu and RSV threaten again, OSF OnCall offers parents 24/7 help at home

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 15:30:17 -0500

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expects the upcoming fall and winter respiratory disease season in the United States will likely have a similar number of combined peak hospitalizations due to COVID-19, influenza, and RSV compared to last season.

As the respiratory virus season arrives, OSF OnCall is also reminding parents that it offers an at-home monitoring and support program for babies and toddlers 5 and under who have an infection from a respiratory virus. Those include: the flu, rhinovirus, croup, pneumonia, and others including RSV, the number one reason for hospitalization of children under age 1 in the United States. It can lead to other infections including bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs), especially in babies.

The digital health arm of OSF HealthCare will provide support for patients with a pediatric respiratory virus and caregivers in the comfort of their own homes. Enrollment offers a connection to OSF OnCall care teams 24/7 and monitoring tools that will aid in proactive response to worsening respiratory virus symptoms, keeping infants and toddlers out of the hospital.

Mary Stapel, MD, lead physician for Community Care for OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center says RSV and other respiratory infections can often be managed at home.

“For the more common cold type symptoms, we can recommend the conservative treatments at home nasal saline with some suctioning, a cool mist humidifier you know, just kind of frequent, small feedings to optimize keeping that child hydrated.”

Clinical Digital Care Supervisor Rose Smith, RN, says OSF OnCall was able to implement its 24/7 digitally enabled, at-home support program for RSV so quickly two years ago because of its experience with similar monitoring to help patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart failure. Smith says parents and caregivers have loved it.

How it works

“They love having support anytime in the day, however they want to do it – text message, phone call, anything. They can send us pictures. We've really kind of taken that to tailor what parents need to feel comfortable taking their children home, you know, from a clinic; from the hospital during the scary time.”

An OSF OnCall software application provides education and notifications to report relevant signs/symptoms over 10 days. Smith says upon enrollment, parents or guardians receive a care kit for at-home use from their provider following a visit or a digital community health worker can deliver one.

“So we have a pulse oximeter to monitor oxygen levels and their heart rate and then we have a thermometer, and we also provide saline spray, and then a bulb syringe. A lot of parents, when their babies are born, they use them in the hospital, but they might not know that they can use them to help relieve any secretions especially before feeding their children.”

Smith adds, it’s also important to clear the nose before a nap or bedtime. Parents also receive step-by-step written instructions as well as a video demonstration for how to use what’s provided in the kit.

The OSF OnCall respiratory illness RPM program is for anyone in Illinois or Michigan. Patients must have a positive test or diagnosis of a respiratory infection to qualify. Referrals can be made by providers in a hospital emergency department, OSF OnCall Urgent Care, OSF PromptCare, medical offices, or following hospital discharge.

Smith says parents who have a child in the program can request a video visit at any time. The OSF OnCall nurse will also recommend a video visit if needed.

“If they think their child looks off, we just have another set of eyes. The providers will look at it (to see if they need a higher level of care). Sometimes our nurses can tell the parents you know, ‘We think they need to be seen. Can we do a video visit just before you take your child out, especially now that it's colder out?’ You know, we don't want them if they're having trouble breathing to go outside, but we really just focus on what works best to still get them the care that they need.”

Last season, the remote monitoring program for pediatric respiratory viruses enrolled a total of 717 babies and toddlers from September through April.

At OSF HealthCare and across the country, there is concern a return to school and more activities moving indoors this fall could accelerate the transmission of RSV, the flu, COVID-19, and other viral illnesses. Dr. Stapel advises making sure you and everyone around you practices good hand hygiene, coughs into the inside of their elbow, and stays home from parties and other obligations if you are sick.

If you suspect your child has symptoms of RSV, the flu, or some other respiratory virus that don’t appear life-threatening, you can reach out to your pediatrician, primary care provider or OSF OnCall Urgent Care which also has a virtual visit option anytime.

Video clips with Dr. Mary Stapel and Rose Smith, RN

B-roll for RPM for pediatric viruses

Expanded ICU at OSF St. Joseph enhances critical care for the region

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 13:37:26 -0500

As part of its continued investment in Central Illinois, OSF HealthCare has blessed a newly renovated 18,000-square-foot space at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, located at 2200 E Washington Street in Bloomington.

The $17.8 million project will add 25 new intensive care unit (ICU) rooms, more than doubling the hospital’s ICU capacity from 14 to 29 beds.

The modernized space features a centralized and expanded care team hub, designed for efficient patient monitoring and quick access to patient rooms. Attention to detail was a priority in both function and aesthetics.

Pointcore Construction Program Manager Jordan Sondag notes that ergonomic design and nurse and provider input guided placement of bedside utilities like oxygen and IV hookups, as well as nurse documentation stations with dimmer switches for lights and room-facing windows for better patient visibility.

“The finish selections and paint colors are soothing and healing,” said Sondag. “This space reflects our commitment to compassionate, high-quality care – and we want patients to feel that from the moment they walk in.”

The expansion repurposes the former Center for Healthy Lifestyles and incorporates space from an adjacent courtyard. The relocation of the ICU will allow OSF HealthCare in the future to construct a new patient tower which will add 60-65 additional private beds.

Sondag also said one of the biggest challenges was adapting the design to the hospital’s existing structural grid, which required extensive excavation and reinforcement to support the new infrastructure and equipment.

Eunmee (UHN-mee) Shim, OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center president, says the transformation is part of a larger strategy to allow OSF St. Joseph Medical Center to be a regional referral center. Over the last few years, the hospital has been forced to deny hundreds of incoming patient transfers from smaller community hospitals due to being at capacity, making the expansion project key in serving surrounding rural communities.

“They’re losing a lot of services, so as a regional referral center, we will be receiving a lot more patients; many of them can’t get the care they need in their own community therefore likely they will be delaying care and presenting themselves much sicker.”

McLean County’s population is growing rapidly, driven in part by expanding local industries such as the Rivian auto plant and the recent opening of Ferrero’s candy factory in Bloomington – both of which are increasing demand for health care services. Additionally, Shim points out OSF St. Joseph will be offering a more comprehensive range of care and is expanding its number of providers to meet the evolving needs for convenient specialty care.

“We will be adding complexity of patients because we’re adding more complex services and bringing additional providers with specialties that we have not had before and all of that will require us to have bigger and better prepared critical care beds.”

OSF St. Joseph currently offers a wide range of services such as cancer care, pregnancy and birthing, emergency services, heart and vascular care, neurosurgery, and more.

Hayley Aeschleman, manager of ICU, step-down and centralized telemetry, says the location of the new ICU is better for patient privacy and safety.

“We are right across the hall from the operating room, which is really exciting, especially when you have patients who might need emergent surgery. Sometimes you’re just really prepping them for surgery and then sometimes actually running that patient to the OR from ICU to make sure we can give them care they need to save their life. So, now instead of going across the hospital, we’ll be just literally right across the hall, which is super exciting.”

Courtney Bier (BEER), director of inpatient nursing services, said nurses and managers provided important input about room layout and features needed to meet the demands of caring for sicker patients with more complex health challenges. For example, when the project started, there was not a lift in every patient room.

“Throughout the design process, getting feedback from other leaders; from critical Mission Partners (employees), we realized how important it was to have those lifts both for the patient safety as well as for the Mission Partners’ safety because again, our patients are sicker. They’re able to do a lot less for themselves and we need to keep our Mission Partners safe while also making sure we’re meeting our patients’ needs.”

Telehealth technology is being integrated into the new ICU rooms to accommodate tele intensivists and additional monitoring from OSF OnCall, the digital health arm of OSF HealthCare with a centralized command center in Peoria, Illinois. Bier says each ICU room is equipped with a monitor and camera. As former night shift nurses, both Bier and Aeschleman say the extra support is comforting.

“We find OSF OnCall so valuable, especially in the ICU – sometimes it’s just another set of eyes like, ‘Hey, I need a second opinion – there’s not another person available on the unit’ – and so I’m very excited we have that capability.”

Shim says the expansion is requiring nearly doubling the number of providers and support staff, such as patient care techs and certified nursing assistants. It has resulted in hiring many new graduate nurses and a total of 100 new full-time Mission Partners. The changes also put OSF St. Joseph Medical Center on track to transition the hospital to all private patient rooms.

Jordan Sondag and Eunmee Shim

Hayley Aeschleman and Courtney Bier

B-roll for 25 bed ICU expansion, OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center

OSF HealthCare offers new approach to primary care on Chicago’s south side

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 15:00:10 -0500

Leaders from OSF HealthCare and OSF OnCall, the digital health arm of OSF HealthCare, gathered for a blessing of a new clinic that provides an innovative approach to 55+ primary care for people who have ongoing health conditions. The OSF CompleteCare 55+ clinic fills a 6,300-square-foot building at 9858 S. Western Ave., in Evergreen Park. The clinic will begin seeing patients June 16.

This unique approach to care provides guidance and education beyond routine visits and 24/7 digital connection to a care team to allow people to stay on top of their own health.

Highlights of the unique features:

·         In-person or virtual visits, including extended and after-hours care
·         24/7 access to your care team and digital health monitoring tools
·         Help with appointment scheduling and coordination, insurance referrals and pre-visit planning to maximize time with
their provider
·         On-site labs for convenience
·         Personalized care plans with group education and support to better understand your health conditions

OSF CompleteCare 55+ is a service of OSF HealthCare Little Company of Mary Medical Center.

The facility features:

·         Lobby area with coffee bar, fireplace and USB plug-ins
·         A Connect Bar for education where navigators will help patients set up Bluetooth wearables or
communication devices
·         12 exam and treatment rooms equipped for virtual visits
·         Opportunities for group visits, group education, or support with device technology or remote patient
monitoring equipment
·         Family consult room for private discussions that can include extended family or support individuals

Many people 55 and older are balancing the responsibilities of caring for children, grandchildren and elderly parents, while still working themselves,” says Kathleen Kinsella, president of OSF Little Company of Mary. “This age group is busy! Because of that, their own health care needs often take a back seat. That’s why we created a new kind of primary care that offers appointments outside of traditional business hours, virtual options and care coordinators who can help you make connections to specialists when needed.”

Kate Barth, chief nursing officer and vice president, On Demand Services, OSF OnCall, says in designing the program, OSF held listening sessions with 55 and older community members about what features they would like to see in a new approach to primary care.

“We learned people want a choice of in-person or virtual visits, onsite lab services, help with care coordination and pre-visit coordination to maximize time with medical providers,” Barth shares. “Care navigators can also help deal with insurance issues, coordinating appointments with specialists, and extended clinic hours were features that came out of those listening sessions.”

Sandy Valino Stock, DO, is the medical director of the new OSF CompleteCare 55+ clinic. She has cared for patients with complex chronic conditions for more than 17 years through traditional primary care and concierge medicine models. She is passionate about serving communities and optimizing her patients’ health through a personalized, proactive approach. Dr. Valino Stock stresses CompleteCare 55+ strives to keep an aging population healthy and navigate the complex health care system when they are sick.

“The new model from OSF HealthCare differentiates itself from other primary care models by using a team approach to care for patients with multiple medical conditions. OSF CompleteCare 55+ utilizes technology to provide remote patient monitoring, 24/7 telemedicine support, while personalizing a patient’s health care journey. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease take a toll on not only the patients but also those who care for them. Our team at OSF CompleteCare 55+ eases these challenges.”

Here's the website for more information, including frequently asked questions or to get started with OSF CompleteCare 55+.

Kathleen Kinsella and Kate Barth

Dr. Sandy Valino Stock

B-roll of OSF CompleteCare 55+ Clinic and Blessing

From hospital to home: A 24/7 lifeline for patients after discharge

Thu, 29 May 2025 08:27:04 -0500

Being discharged from the hospital can be a scary time. It can include dealing with a new diagnosis, waiting for tests results or adapting to taking a new medication. A 2022 study found that nearly 25% of patients experience adverse events within 14 weeks of discharge, nearly half of which could have been prevented.

That reality prompted OSF HealthCare to innovate to improve the transition back to home and to prevent people from having to return to the hospital. Rose Smith, RN, manager of Digital Care, OSF OnCall, says the Post Hospital Discharge program invites people who have been discharged from the hospital to download the GetWell Anywhere APP to get 24/7 access to their care team. If people don’t want to use the app, they can choose to receive a text or communicate through the GetWell Anywhere website.

Smith says individuals receive daily check-in messages and education.

“It’s just asking, ‘Do you have your appointments? Do you have transportation? Do you have your meds? How is your condition?’ And then from there our team of nurses and medical assistants will read those responses; reach out to the patient if needed and then also if they have a change in condition, we have advanced practice providers who can do a video visit to see if we can keep these patients home instead of going back to the hospital.”

The program requires no special equipment. If those who are newly discharged want to track blood pressure, they can use a vitals log. Low risk patients are in the program for 12 days. Any patient who is considered to be medium to high risk for complications or hospital readmission is enrolled for 30 days. Smith says enrollment can be extended, or it can end early, depending on individual circumstances.

For people who have received a new diagnosis, Smith says the Post Hospital Discharge program can offer easy access to answers.

“This just really gives them the opportunity to send us those questions. If they want to talk to a provider, maybe they’re unsure if their medications changed, this gives them an opportunity to have 24-hour access to a nurse, to a provider if maybe something comes up – that we can keep them from needing to go back to the hospital.”

Sometimes, follow-up appointments after getting out of the hospital don’t happen for two weeks or longer so Smith says having an instant connection before that appointment can be important.

“Do they need extra support? Are they trying to contact someone? Do they not know who to contact? Maybe they have new specialists. Maybe they’re waiting for the referral to go through. So really looking at how we can give them support in between those appointments.”

OSF HealthCare is trying to lower its hospital 30-day readmission rate across the Ministry, which is currently 12.8%. That compares to 7% for those enrolled in the Post Hospital Discharge program that began in May of 2021. It began supporting all people leaving the hospital at medium to high risk for readmission. The project expanded three months later to include people who are enrolled in home care after a hospital visit.

The digital connection is now also available to low-risk patients leaving all OSF hospitals except the most recently acquired OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center in Dixon, Illinois. The hospital is not yet on the Epic electronic medical records system used at all other OSF Hospitals.

To date, nearly 15,400 people have activated an account to stay connected – just under 30% of people invited. Leaders emphasize the post-hospital support program also helps individuals who have trouble getting to their follow-up appointment. Smith says one of the biggest needs is transportation and OSF OnCall digital health navigators are helping connect people to what they need.

“We have our digital health navigator team who anytime a patient says they’re needing help at home – they might need help getting equipment, picking it up, picking up prescriptions, getting transportation – then we’re able to escalate that to those team members and they’re able to help find resources.”

Anyone with questions about the program or who needs help getting started with the GetWell Anywhere connection can call (833) 673-5867.

Rose Smith

B-roll of OSF OnCall Post Hospital Discharge program

A check up on virtual nursing

Thu, 15 May 2025 12:33:44 -0500

Nurses who work on the medical-surgical floors at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria say they would never want to go back to a time when they didn’t have the support of virtual nurses. In fact, nurses interviewed say they would eventually like virtual nurses to take on other aspects of comprehensive care, in addition to admissions and discharge.

Virtual nurses use technology to provide care and support to patients and their families remotely, often from a central location. This technology enables virtual nurses to access patient records, monitor vitals and communicate with patients and bedside nurses via video conferencing and other digital tools.

OSF HealthCare is three years into an OSF Innovation pilot program using virtual nurses through OSF OnCall, the digital health arm of the Peoria, Illinois-based health system, to handle the admission and discharge of patients. Based on success and positive feedback from floor nurses and nursing supervisors, the pilot, designed by the OSF Innovation Performance Improvement team expanded virtual nursing to 141 beds at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois. That brings virtual nursing to a total of 217 beds through either tablets or in-room technology.

Nursing hadn’t significantly changed in 50 years and Jennifer Croland, vice president and chief nursing officer at OSF Saint Francis, said it was important to embrace technology and innovation to improve care and reduce burnout. In the beginning, she admits, there were communication challenges between bedside and virtual nurses.

“I think initially it was really adding another member to our care delivery team and how do we communicate with them. How do we let them know that we have an admission coming in? How do we let them know the patient is getting ready to be discharged and how do we let them know there’s something else the patient needs before they’re discharged?”

The virtual nurse for OSF Saint Francis Medical Center is based at the OSF OnCall command center, which is not located on the patient care unit. These nurses have access to the electronic health records of patients. Some patient rooms on the medical-surgical units at OSF Saint Francis are equipped with wall-mounted TVs and the virtual nurse and patient interact through this technology. More often at OSF Saint Francis and at OSF Saint Anthony, tablets are used for patients to communicate with the virtual nurses.

Croland says the virtual nurse is freeing up floor nurses for more direct, hands-on care and that’s resulting in fewer falls, pressure injuries and faster time for admissions and discharges.

“Regarding the discharge process, we're also seeing a shortened amount of time from the time that the physician writes the order till the time that the patient actually goes home. So, our baseline was around three hours when we started, and we're down to two now.”

When patients are admitted or discharged more efficiently this reduces wait times for incoming admissions and improves overall hospital flow. But virtual nursing also addresses nurse burnout and morale. Health systems have tried various options, but floor nurses interviewed for this story say virtual nursing has made the most significant impact.

Impact on floor nurses

Bedside nurses estimate they have been able to recover at least one hour a day that in turn can be spent on direct care and communicating with patients and families as a result of virtual nurses handling often complex, time-consuming tasks. Dalton Havens recently transitioned from a primary charge nurse who works a day shift to OSF OnCall Digital Hospital. But, when interviewed for this story about virtual nursing, Havens said he enjoyed having more time for direct care and communication.

“Since you do have more time with each patient, it just makes it a little bit easier to be able to spend the time to give them (patients) more detailed care than trying to rush around trying to get all these tasks done so you can get to the next thing and get to the next thing and the next thing.”

Primary charge nurse Hannah Tomblin helps coordinate communication between virtual nurses and those working bedside. She feels less stress on a daily basis because the OSF OnCall nurses are handling what can be complex admissions, discharges or patient transfers. For example, she responds differently now to learning about a new admission coming from the emergency department. Before virtual nursing, it was immediately stress-inducing.

“It was more of like awe (she frowns and shrugs her shoulders as other nurses listening laugh), because you had to go in and answer all the questions, you had to maybe call nursing homes, you have to call their pharmacy, you have to do all this, you have to do all that. But now that there’s a virtual admission and the mobile admission nurse, that’s all done for you so now when I have to say as a charge nurse, ‘You’re gonna get an ED admit,’ (floor nurses respond) ‘Oh, that’s OK, I have the virtual nurse now.”

Tomblin says nursing is stressful, not only because of workload, but because nurses make moral and ethical decisions daily so reducing documentation and logistical tasks goes a long way to improving work-life balance.

Alvin Baluyut (pronounced bal-you-yoot) used to work a night shift, and he would spend most of his time discharging patients. He recalls feeling as though his to-do list for patients who needed his help was never completed. He’s a champion of virtual nursing and in fact, would like to see OSF OnCall virtual nurses deployed more to help with educating patients about their condition or medication, so they understand why it’s important to take it as directed.

“If you have somebody who’s doing that regularly for patients to keep them informed, the rate of compliance would be more because the patient knows that ‘Hey, these are the benefits that I’m getting’ and then the plans and the indications for the medication for them are clearly communicated.”

OSF HealthCare. Brandi Clark, vice president of OSF OnCall Digital Care says planning will continue for expansion to other hospitals within the OSF Ministry. With that, there has been an evaluation of technology with a strong eye towards the future as Clark explains.

“As we think more broadly about this being about more than only nursing but about what does the technology-enabled hospital of the future look like? There are so many features and functions available through many of the technology platforms and so it’s really about how we redesign that total model of care and the experience that patient has using that technology in their hospital room.”

In the meantime, within the next 12 months, the virtual nursing program is set to expand its reach to an additional 350 beds across 12 units throughout OSF HealthCare.

Jennifer Croland and Brandi Clark

Nurses Dalton Havens, Heather Tomblin & Baluyut

B-roll Virtual Nursing update

Two OSF HealthCare leaders recognized nationally for transforming care

Mon, 05 May 2025 09:15:00 -0500

The American Telemedicine Association (ATA), is recognizing two leaders of OSF HealthCare for their remarkable contributions to advancing telehealth and virtual care. The ATA is a broad and inclusive member network working to advance industry adoption of telehealth, promote responsible policy, advocate for government and market normalization and provide education and resources to help integrate digital care into emerging value-based delivery models of care.

Brandi Clark, vice president, Digital Care, OSF OnCall, received the ATA Leadership in Care Transformation Award during a ceremony at the ATA NEXUS 2025 gathering in New Orleans on the opening day of the organization’s annual conference.

“Under Brandi’s leadership, OSF OnCall Digital Care has successfully rolled out eight new programs across virtual ambulatory and acute care, reflecting her ability to transform ambitious goals into measurable success,” said Jennifer Junis, RN, MSN, president, OSF OnCall. Junis nominated Clark for her many standout achievements including her leadership in establishing the OSF OnCall Digital Hospital, a pioneering model that provides acute care directly within patients' homes. Through the Digital Hospital's clinical command center, she launched a 24/7 Virtual Hospitalist program, significantly reducing the need for locum coverage in rural hospitals and enhancing quality outcomes.

Additionally, Clark’s strategic vision also led to the implementation of virtual nursing at two hospitals within the Ministry – an effort which has positively impacted patient care. By centralizing tasks such as admissions and discharges for medical-surgical beds, virtual nursing has reduced discharge times while contributing to higher satisfaction levels among both nursing staff and patients.

Melinda Cooling received the ATA Telehealth Champions: Advancing Access to Virtual Care Award for her achievements as chief clinician executive for OSF OnCall. Cooling recently accepted a new position as chief nurse and advanced practice provider executive for OSF HealthCare.

Junis nominated Cooling for her approach to redesigning health care options to improve access. “As OSF OnCall introduced new programs, Melinda’s dedication to research and evidence-based insights proved invaluable, addressing the questions and concerns of those more familiar with traditional care models.”

In her nomination, Junis highlighted that Cooling initiated a nationally accredited fellowship program for APPs, providing a platform for education and professional growth. Additionally, she established a medical school rotation and developed a telehealth curriculum to expose providers to the specialty of virtual care demonstrating her commitment to shaping the future workforce in telehealth.

As a leader of the Illinois Medicaid Innovation Collaborative research team, Cooling has advanced positive changes to telehealth access, contributing to the broader goal of making health care more accessible to all.

Junis, who nominated both winners, is a member of the American Telemedicine Association’s Leadership Council that facilitates collaborative problem-solving and expedite practical solutions to today’s health care challenges. Junis is also among the Main Stage speakers at the ATA NEXUS 2025 conference. She’ll be presenting, From Silos to Systems: Centralizing Digital Care Leadership for Scalable Innovation.

Fast-Tracking Hope: Rapid Access at the OSF Cancer Institute

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 17:38:42 -0600

The OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute is about treating more than a person’s cancer. In the year since it opened its doors in Peoria, Illinois, the premiere treatment center has developed a personalized approach to help people more easily and quickly get answers.

The comprehensive OSF Cancer Institute opened in February of 2024 as the main hub of an integrated cancer network across OSF HealthCare, with patients receiving care near home when possible. It has already far exceeded expectations, with 70,000 patient interactions. The rapid access approach is a way to get individuals started on their diagnostic and treatment journey as quickly as possible because when it comes to cancer, no one wants to waste time.

Sarah Ince, BSN, RN, director of Contact Center operations at OSF OnCall, the digital health arm of OSF HealthCare says oncology leaders who have witnessed challenges for individuals with cancer have provided valuable input in the collaborative process to design a seamless entry point. Together with select members from an OSF Innovation performance improvement team, health IT and others across the OSF Ministry, the team started with benchmarking with the best of the best cancer institutes across the country.

Ince says the new rapid access model provides a central point of contact for the patient.

“They're seeking care, they're confused, they're anxious, they've maybe just received a cancer diagnosis," Ince explains. “So being able to get our patients to us quickly and effectively. So being able to give them different means – a portal, a phone call, that one central phone number to get to us, to allow patients to get where they need.”

In some cases, patients are waiting for a referral from their primary care provider or an emergency department doctor, and they want to know where that stands. In other instances, patients received a diagnosis but don’t know the next steps.

Mandy Luczkowiak, (pronounced luh-KOH-ee-ack), MSN RN, manager of Contact Center operations at OSF OnCall, says patients can call (844) OSF-HOPE or (844) 673-4467 to be connected immediately with an access coordinator who can check on the status of that referral, and assist with questions regarding supportive services.

“And they feel like, oh my gosh, it started. The journey now has started. I have this person that I've spoken to, I've told them all the things I need to tell them, and they're going to take it from there.”

Luczkowiak says the goal is to get patients booked within 24 hours for a telephone appointment with a nurse who has an oncology background. During that appointment, the nurse will learn more about the patient’s story and medical history, then they gather all records that could be relevant to the patient’s diagnosis and treatment plan.

“So, if we have a patient who is in Florida X amount of months a year, they might have had imaging done there, they might have had treatment there. We’re gathering all that information, so the providers are really excited that the first time they see that patient – that first visit, everything is there.”

To date, the access advocates and nurses from OSF OnCall have had nurse visits with patients and entered more than 445 referrals based on individuals’ diagnosis and needs. Referrals can be entered not only for a provider, but for services such as transportation, dietary, social work or genetic counseling.

The easy transition to cancer care and support is something Ince says is personal for her.

“For me, my dad has stage four kidney cancer that's metastasized, and a patient in the community, and this is just what I needed a few years ago. So, I really feel connected to this journey through my diagnostic imaging scheduling, that journey and now to the Cancer Institute, I feel blessed to be part of this role.”

The rapid access model will continue to expand, capturing referrals from providers outside of OSF HealthCare. Ince says there have also been preliminary discussions of how this model could be applied to other major medical care offered by OSF HealthCare.

Sarah Ince and Amanda Luczkowiak

B-roll for rapid intake at OSF Cancer Institute

Allergy relief: Know what works

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 07:29:19 -0600

Spring allergies will be here soon. If you’re suffering from a runny or congested nose, watery or itchy eyes or sneezing, it’s tempting to grab the first medicine that catches your eye at the pharmacy or rifle through the bathroom drawer for some pills you’re hanging on to.

Not so fast, says Maddy Draper, APRN, a health care provider at OSF OnCall. She says it’s important to know what to take and when in order to avoid side effects that can be serious.

What to take

Draper says an antihistamine like Astepro, Zyrtec, Allegra or Benadryl is a typical first line of defense.

“There are also decongestants for severe nasal congestion or sinus pain and pressure,” Draper adds. Sudafed is a well-known decongestant.

If a more severe case brings symptoms like face swelling or wheezing, Draper says treatment could be a steroid like Flonase or prednisone.

For more chronic (in other words, long term) allergy cases, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says a provider may recommend immunotherapy to build up a tolerance. This could be an injection or a tablet under the tongue.

Misuse

It may not seem like over the counter allergy medications are ripe for misuse, but it can happen.

Draper says antihistamines, especially Benadryl, can make you drowsy. If you take too much or take it at the wrong time, you could, for example, find yourself sleepy behind the wheel. Or your attentiveness at work or school could suffer.

On the flip side, Draper says Sudafed can make you jittery, irritable or cause heart palpitations (the feeling of an irregular heartbeat). This could be a big issue, she says, for people with a heart condition.

“We want to avoid nasal sprays for people with nasal trauma. Things like a deviated septum or nasal sores,” Draper adds. “Putting something up the nose could cause further tissue damage.”

Draper says to take medication as directed by your provider. Or if it’s over the counter, follow the label instructions. She says these medications typically take a couple days to start working. So don’t be tempted to take an extra dose if you’re not seeing relief right away.

Think of the children! (and seniors)

Children and seniors may be more impacted by the side effects of allergy medications. An older adult who takes Benadryl, for example, may be drowsy to the point that they fall and suffer a serious injury.

So, Draper says providers will typically start with an antihistamine that doesn’t make you super drowsy. She says Zyrtec is approved for ages six months and up, and that’s often where providers will start.

“Any antihistamine label is going to tell you to consult your provider for use under the age of two,” Draper says. “So you’ll need to be seen by a provider or your pediatrician.” This could be a virtual visit or a message to your provider in your patient portal.

Plan ahead

Draper says knowing your allergy triggers and acting accordingly is key to avoiding unpleasant symptoms. For example, you know grass clippings will cause an allergic reaction, but you have no choice but to mow the lawn.

“Primary care providers and allergists typically recommend starting the medication prior to exposure,” Draper explains. “If you know you’re going to be outside on that windy, dry day to mow, start the antihistamine a couple days prior so it can fully take effect.”

If you can’t get a handle on a known allergy, or if you have unexpected allergy symptoms, Draper says it’s never a bad idea to go to an urgent care.

Or if you find yourself looking for an over the counter medication option: “Just ask the pharmacist,” Draper suggests. “They’ll give you recommendations.

“There’s usually a specific aisle for allergies,” she adds. “Find the right antihistamine. Flonase is another big one we see people use.”

Interview clips

At-home monitoring for babies with respiratory illness surpasses last season

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:58:18 -0600

OSF On Call, the digital health arm of Peoria, Illinois-based OSF HealthCare has enrolled nearly 80 more babies and toddlers in a program to monitor at home, those with respiratory illness. The program provides support for patients with a pediatric respiratory virus. Enrollment offers a connection to OSF OnCall care teams 24/7 and monitoring tools that will aid in proactive response to worsening respiratory virus symptoms, keeping infants and toddlers out of the hospital.

September through January of this year, the program enrolled 966 children compared to 890 a year ago. This comes as the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that after a one-week dip, the state’s overall respiratory illness level has ticked up again from Moderate to High, driven by a notable increase in emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admissions for flu.

The program requires a referral from a medical provider and is for babies and toddlers 5 and under with a confirmed diagnosis. Referrals can be made by providers in a hospital emergency department, OSF OnCall Urgent Care, OSF PromptCare, medical offices, or following hospital discharge.

Mary Stapel, MD, lead physician for Community Care for OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center says RSV and other respiratory infections can often be managed at home.

Smith says parents who have a child in the program can request a video visit at any time. The OSF OnCall nurse will also recommend a video visit if needed.

Dr. Stapel advises making sure you and everyone around you practices good hand hygiene, coughs into the inside of their elbow, and stays home from parties and other obligations if you are sick.

Dr. Mary Stapel

Rose Smith

B-roll for OSF OnCall at-home pediatric respiratory monitoring

Increasing respiratory illnesses being seen by hospitals, health care providers

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 10:05:54 -0600

Respiratory illnesses like influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are leading to many people being seriously ill, overwhelming hospitals and health care providers across Illinois.

Flu remains the dominant virus

“We're seeing a lot of patients be positive with the flu. It makes you feel really bad with headache, body aches, chills, cough and fevers to name a few,” says Sarah Overton, chief nursing officer of OSF Medical Group, Home Care and Employee Health. “But we're also seeing some COVID-19 and RSV. RSV attacks very young children and older adults."

All the viruses spiking at the same time have been "somewhat crippling" for healthcare providers, Overton says OSF HealthCare hospitals are seeing high inpatients counts, with many people coming in sick with respiratory illnesses through the emergency department.

Across Illinois, nearly 20% of emergency department visits were for acute respiratory illness, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). 7.8% of those visits are attributed to patients with the flu.

"From Chicago and Rockford down to Alton, we're seeing a large number of respiratory illnesses. And I think the country is seeing it overall," Overton says. "The SIREN notifications from the IDPH show that other health systems in Illinois, not just OSF, are seeing this."

Illinois’ respiratory activity level, calculated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) moved up to High in late December, dipped to Moderate in January, and has now returned to High to start February.

“These viruses can kill”

The IDPH has reported five flu deaths this respiratory illness season. Along with three people dying from RSV, and one person dying from RSV and COVID-19.

"There's a little bit of complacency or feeling like the COVID-19 pandemic is done. But these viruses can kill, and they can lead to major medical complications and hospital admissions. I've talked to some of my colleagues who are the nursing leaders in the hospitals, and patients coming in are indeed sick. If you can manage at home, we recommend you do so," Overton says.

For those who are immunocompromised or chronically ill, Overton says you should consult with a medical professional in person if you are sick, but if you’re a fairly healthy individual who is mildly ill, consider staying home and rest. OSF Medical Group and OSF OnCall offer Urgent Care services for many outpatient appointments, including visits with primary care providers and specialists.

For those caring for themselves at home, there are several over-the-counter medications to help alleviate symptoms. Additionally, a health care provider may prescribe antiviral medication.

“Antiviral medication is most effective is initiated less than 48 hours after your symptoms begin,” says IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra.

Flu vaccine rates down

"We've got ample flu vaccine. We are behind our influenza vaccine rates of where we've been in years past," Overton says. "It's not too late to get your flu shot, it's not too late to get your pneumonia shot. If you get it at a retail pharmacy, that's great. You can also get it at OSF or another healthcare provider. We just want you to get vaccinated.”

Flu vaccines are offered at OSF primary care and many medical specialty offices, along with commercial pharmacies. The CDC’s Flu Vaccine Finder allows you to type in your zip code and find options closest to you. Overton also recommends speaking with your healthcare provider about the recently-approved RSV vaccine available for some.

Respiratory illnesses impacting care teams

"Unfortunately, we have had some experiences with respiratory illnesses in our staff," Overton says. "We need to do everything we can to protect them. OSF Mission Partners (employees) have started masking in those areas we know exposure is likely." Respiratory cough stations with hand sanitizer, tissues and masks are available at all OSF facilities.

How health systems being overloaded impacts patients

"When we overwhelm the health system, it could lead to delays in other critical illnesses that need to come to the emergency room or urgent care to receive adequate management," Overton says.

To protect yourself and others, Overton recommends regularly washing and sanitizing your hands. Also make sure to cover your cough to decrease the spread of respiratory droplets, which is a major way the flu and other respiratory illnesses spread.

When to head to the emergency department

“Those hallmark signs of when to see care is when a fever isn't responding to medications after 24-48 hours. Or when you’re extremely uncomfortable and experiencing respiratory impacts like shortness of breath that you are struggling to breathe,” Overton says.

Warning signs look different for kids and adults. The CDC breaks down symptoms to keep a close eye on:

In children

Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish lips or face
Ribs pulling in with each breath
Chest pain
Severe muscle pain (child refuses to walk)
Dehydration (no urine for 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying)
Not alert or interacting when awake
Seizures
Fever above 104 degrees Fahrenheit that is not controlled by fever-reducing medicine
In children younger than 12 weeks, any fever
Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen
Worsening of chronic medical conditions

In adults

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse
Seizures
Not urinating
Severe muscle pain
Severe weakness or unsteadiness
Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen

Video Interview Clips

Digital connection, coaching offers more support for people with diabetes

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 09:24:00 -0600

John Thurman, 73, says there were times during his health struggles that he almost gave up on trying to get better. The Peoria resident has Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and Stage 3 kidney disease.

But, after he suffered seizures and a stroke that put him in the hospital a little more than a year ago, Thurman and his wife, Starr, have been on a journey that has led to better management of his diabetes and other health conditions. During his stay at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Thurman was introduced to OSF OnCall Advanced Care, a program offered by the digital health arm of OSF.

The program uses a multidisciplinary team dedicated to providing in-home treatment or digital support for patients with complex conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart failure and COPD. The OSF OnCall Advanced Care team treats patients who have been hospitalized and have two or more chronic conditions. The 24/7 digital care team includes nurses, digital health navigators, clinical counselors, dietitians, an e-pharmacist and providers.

Beth Wharton, manager of Virtual Care Operations for OSF OnCall, says the team treats all issues impacting someone’s health.

“It is more of a holistic approach. It's not just a nurse or a physician looking at numbers. They're really treating the patient for all of their needs.”

People with diabetes are two to three times more likely to have depression than people without diabetes. It can be stressful. Wharton explains that’s why it’s important to have a therapist available as part of the advanced care at home program.

“A lot of patients with chronic complex diseases have some form of behavioral health need, they have anxiety, or they have depression. And so, as you know, coming home from the hospital, sometimes that can be even more amplified. You're now at home and you're trying to manage your care after you've been admitted. So having that resource available is very important. as well.”

Thurman hasn’t used the counselors, but he has talked through strategies for managing temptations. For example, Thurman says riding a motorcycle and trips with friends regularly include stops for pie or ice cream. Before his hospital stint and enrollment in the OSF OnCall Advanced Care program, Thurman says he would have indulged in the sweets.

Now, he still goes for the rides but orders water and simply enjoys the camaraderie.

Program keeps him accountable

Thurman says the care team keeps him on track.

“It keeps me accountable, yeah. If I was left on my own, I probably wouldn’t do it,” Thurman admits. As he recalled his old habits he shares, “If my blood sugar went low, I’d just go grab something to eat real fast and be done with it or if it got too high, I would ignore it,” he says with a chuckle of embarrassment.

Wharton says an important aspect of the program is working with individuals who have diabetes to set goals based on what is important to them.

“We really try to identify with patients what is important with this disease diagnosis, what means the most to you – Do you want to stop smoking? Do you want to reduce your smoking? Do you want to lose weight? How much weight do you want to lose? What do you think is an achievable goal? And then how can we help you get there?”

For Thurman, the team had him focus on concrete, achievable goals – eating more fiber, drinking 64 ounces of water a day and finding ways to exercise. Thurman gets winded and light-headed easily, but he does what he can to join Star while she exercises to short fitness programs that she finds on TV.

Using a tablet provided by the OSF OnCall Advanced Care program, Thurman reports his blood glucose readings three times a day, and he uses Bluetooth devices that transmit his weight, pulse, temperature and blood pressure into his electronic medical record. If his glucose reading is too low, the phone rings almost immediately.

“And if it’s too high, I’ll get a call and I’m glad there’s someone watching out all the time. That’s really nice, a nice feeling.”

The biggest goal for Thurman was reducing his hemoglobin A1C, an important marker that measures a person's average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. Specifically, the A1C test measures how much sugar is in your red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout your body. The higher your A1C is, the higher your risk of developing complications.

Getting off of insulin

For people with diabetes, the goal is usually to keep their A1C levels below 7%. Before entering the program, Thurman’s A1C was at 8.3%. Through support of the Advanced Care wraparound services, Thurman has been able to get that number down significantly – to 6.9%. He is no longer taking insulin but is on Ozempic and lost 50 pounds.

Even though he was reluctant to enroll in the OSF OnCall Advanced Care program at first, Thurman is thrilled he did. And for anyone worried they won’t be able to work the technology, he says it requires a touch-screen tablet that is so easy to use.

“All you need to do is just turn it on and scroll to whatever feature you want to go to, whether it’s blood sugar, your blood pressure or your temperature or whatever, just scroll to it, touch it and it’ll tell you what to do. It’s really simple … simple to use.”

OSF OnCall also has a lower-touch approach for people who want to better manage their diabetes on their own, before it becomes a significant health threat. OSF OnCall Connect Remote Patient Monitoring for Chronic Conditions offers 24/7 digital support with education, self-reporting and monitoring. Currently there are 1,384 people enrolled in the Medicaid Innovation Collaborative remote patient monitoring program – part of a national effort to transform health care and meet related social needs for the millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid.

Since the remote patient monitoring program was launched in June of 2022, individuals enrolled have lowered their collective A1C on average by 1.5% for those with a starting A1C of greater than 9%.

With a need for more proactive management of chronic conditions, OSF OnCall is showing that through programs such as OSF OnCall Advanced Care and Remote Patient Monitoring for Chronic Conditions, there are better ways to engage people with diabetes, like John Thurman, to create a new roadmap for improving health outcomes and defining a more sustainable model of care.

Beth Wharton

John Thurman

B-roll for OSF OnCall Advanced Care

OSF HealthCare offers My OSF app – one-stop option for all resources

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 12:09:29 -0500

OSF HealthCare is introducing a new way for patients to connect. My OSF is a smart phone app that offers a single place to access OSF resources. It makes it easy to find urgent care, access OSF MyChart, navigate OSF locations, pay bills and more. My OSF empowers patients with instant access to everything they need to manage their health.

A key feature is wayfinding to help patients navigate from their home or office to the parking lot to their medical destination. Then, it offers step-by-step directions once inside and includes floor maps to help navigate what can sometimes be dauntingly large facilities. *(Currently available at the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute in Peoria with more locations are coming soon!)

Here are the many features within My OSF:

Find a provider
Find an OSF HealthCare location near you and get directions
Get wait times for urgent care locations
Start an OSF OnCall Urgent Care virtual visit
Schedule an appointment
Access OSF MyChart
Pay a bill
Access Clare, our 24/7 virtual health assistant, who helps patients manage symptoms and connect to a nurse anytime, anywhere.
Discover career opportunities
Find useful health and wellness information
Navigate locations within large medical facilities, starting with the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute in Peoria with additional locations being added

The My OSF app also allows users to save the most often visited features on the app as a favorite. The app is available for all smartphones to download from any app store.

Health economist: Connectivity and trust can expand telehealth

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 21:38:14 -0500

Health economist and advisor Jane Sarasohn-Kahn says digital health has exploded since the pandemic but there are challenges to future expansion. Sarasohn-Kahn, author of a popular health blog told an audience at an OSF OnCall Digital Health Symposium that digital health includes mobile health, wearable devices, virtual visits, remote patient monitoring, personalized medicine and care at home using health IT.

Digital health technologies have allowed people to access care where and when they want it because of computing platforms, software, sensors, and connectivity. But, Sarasohn-Kahn says connectivity is a barrier for some who are experiencing gaps in care.

“Because not everyone has connectivity. It costs money that a lot of people don’t have to spend. So, this is a limiting factor that we can address but we shouldn’t be pollyannish about this for everybody because not everybody can get online, and we learned that during the pandemic.”

Connectivity, says Sarasohn-Kahn, is a social driver of health, much like transportation, food, housing and other social needs. She emphasized that partnerships with community and government organizations will be needed to create what she called “techquity”— tech equity.

Universal access to innovations can help reduce inequities and remove barriers to care for underserved populations. Sarasohn-Kahn points out innovative health systems such as OSF HealthCare are investing in new technologies, providers, and data scientists to drive better health and prevent hospital admissions. Now, evidence is starting to show returns on that investment in better patient care and reduced treatment costs.

Globally, she says for every $1 invested in telehealth, there is a $19 return to the economy in increased productivity and reduced health care costs. But trust is a major factor in driving consumer engagement in telehealth.

Sarasohn-Kahn says misinformation that began during the pandemic and that continues today is driving down trust in health care.

“Without trust, people will not engage with you as a health care provider. There has to be that sacred, and I use the word sacred because it’s real, it’s (a) deep bond of trust and it’s a precursor to health engagement.”

Technology is allowing the movement of more care to the home. Blood tests, labs, and imaging can increasingly be performed in the home or remotely. Sarasohn-Kahn says the growth of digital health apps, digital therapeutics and increased use of sensors integrated with smartphones that can passively monitor patient metrics is advancing convenient care. Plus, there's been increasing expansion of videoconferencing for virtual visits from anywhere.

She emphasized that health systems can take a lesson from OSF and embrace collaboration to boost trust, access and equity. For example, trusted community organizations can be partners to help build one-on-one relationships with people who don’t trust health care. Once patients engage and have a great experience with a virtual visit or using a platform for health monitoring or other technology, Sarasohn-Kahn suggests they will help others get on board.

“Once you start that process, people will engage, ask more questions and then they become your evangelists in the community. She shared, “I’ve seen this over and over. It takes a lot to get (trust) up, but once you get that relationship going, it can be a beautiful thing.”

Faster computing power and use of generative AI will also transform health care.

Artificial intelligence will be embedded in so many aspects of our lives, including health care. And, with proper governance and ethical use, Sarasohn-Kahn says it can make the most of a shrinking and increasingly burned-out workforce. She outlined several practical applications.

“In research trials, marketing personalization; same way it will have in health care decision making, productivity – not to replace jobs but to enhance people’s ability to do more and have the lower, easy low-hanging-fruit stuff done so that you can concentrate and work at the top of your license whoever you are and not just for clinicians but for all workers to work at the good stuff.”

From her research and personal experience Sarasohn-Kahn says its clear health consumers have mixed feelings about AI and data privacy. But, she says many are willing to share their data if they see the value in doing so. For consumers, she advises making sure to use apps that are HIPPA compliant (legislation that protects personal health information).

Finally, what is also needed to drive more engagement with telehealth? Sarasohn-Kahn says a federal data privacy law that mirrors what is in place in Europe, based on the premise that all consumers should have complete control over their own personal data.

Video clips with Jane Sarasohn-Kahn

B-roll for digital health symposium

OSF OnCall to re-open OSF OnCall Urgent Care Clinic on Sheridan Road

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 10:18:18 -0500

OSF OnCall is re-opening its urgent care clinic on Sheridan Road in Peoria to meet the need for convenient care. The walk-in clinic at 3626 N Sheridan Road was open for six months before closing in November of 2021 due to staffing challenges during the COVID 19 pandemic.

During the closure the OSF OnCall location on Sheridan Road was used as a training site with the intent to re-open once staffing became more consistent.

The clinic will be staffed by experienced care guides, a radiology technologist and an advanced practice provider. Providers deliver basic urgent care services such as treatment for colds, cough, flu, sprains, minor lacerations, urinary tract and upper respiratory infections among other minor ailments and conditions. OSF OnCall Urgent Care also provides school, sports, and employment physicals.

“In addition to offering urgent care services and X-ray, we have multiple prescription medications available to dispense onsite to prevent patients from making an additional stop at the pharmacy,” says Director of On Demand Operations, Nichole Esterdahl. “We are excited to re-open the doors to provide community members in the area with high-quality, convenient and affordable healthcare.”

OSF OnCall Urgent Care opened October 1, with a soft launch, providing health assessments and treatment Mondays-Wednesdays from 8 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Operations will eventually expand to seven days a week, including holidays. There are seven additional OSF OnCall Urgent Care locations in the area including East Peoria, Washington, Morton, Pekin, and three additional Peoria locations.

Walk-ins are welcome. Reservations or options to get in line are available at osfoncall.org.

Don't sweat it

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 14:00:00 -0500

Summer may be winding down, but health care providers want you to know that heat rash can happen year-round. Luckily, most cases resolve on their own with simple steps.

Maddy Draper, APRN, a provider at OSF OnCall, says heat rash (also called sweat rash or prickly heat) usually occurs in a hot or humid setting. This could be the summer heat or a year-round activity like the sauna or gym. Or, Draper says, using certain things on your skin – like bandages, medicine patches or thick lotion – can contribute. Either way, the result is clogged ducts trapping sweat under the skin, leading to a rash.

“It’s either raised, red bumps or blisters filled with clear fluid or pus,” Draper explains.

Draper adds that heat rash is more common in infants and young kids, but it can affect all ages. She says providers typically see the rash on a person’s midsection – front and back. It can also crop up on your arms and legs, especially where patches of skin come together, like your armpit. Sometimes the rash will be itchy.

“There’s no cure for it. It’s just getting back into a normal, less hot environment. Wear less clothing. Get the sweat off your body,” Draper says.

Don’t pop the blisters, as that can lead to a bacterial infection. Don’t use rubbing alcohol or peroxide on the rash, and don’t scratch the itch.

In other words: “Just leave it alone,” Draper says, and most cases will resolve in a few hours.

When to see a health care provider? If you develop a fever, if the rash persists for a couple days or if it looks different (such as red streaks up your arm), visit your local urgent care. In rare cases, blocked ducts can cause sweat glands to stop working. That makes it harder for the body to cool itself, and you can be prone to overheating.

Heat rash prevention involves many of the “hot environment” safety tips you’ve heard before.

“Stay in cooler environments,” Draper advises. “Everyone likes to be outside in the warmth, but try not to prolong those exposures. If you feel symptoms [of heat illness], come inside and cool off.”

During those breaks, drink water or a sports drink, wipe off sweat and change out of damp clothes. Also, remove bandages or patches when doing something that makes you sweat.

Interview clips

Registration deadline approaching for OSF OnCall Digital Health symposium

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0500

OSF OnCall leaders realize many colleges of nursing faculty and students are just getting back to the classroom the end of the month of August, so they've extended an early bird registration deadline for its first-ever OSF OnCall Digital Health Symposium October 16.

The digital health arm for OSF Healthcare offers full-scale digital health and convenient care options for using digital health platforms and software to connect people with care 24/7. This immersive conference brings together digital health experts, clinicians and leaders to discuss current trends, program development and implementation, and the future of digital health care.

The event will be held at Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center, an accredited facility for improving patient care. The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), have certified education and training at the center to provide continuing education for health care teams. This symposium was planned by and for health care teams. Learners will receive 6.50 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.

A woman behind one of the Top 100 health blogs to follow in 2024 is the keynote speaker at this conference to explore innovative solutions to enhance patient care. Jane Sarasohn-Kahn, a health economist, advisor and trend spotter known for her Health Populi blog will provide an update on the state of digital health on the local, state and national level.

The event will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 16 at Jump at 1306 N Berkley Ave in Peoria, Illinois.

Enjoy an engaging panel discussion moderated by OSF OnCall Senior Vice President Jennifer Junis, “Building a quality structure to drive clinical excellence in digital health.”

The patient’s voice will be front and center during a fireside chat. After lunch there will be a variety of break-out sessions with practical takeaways including:

· Building capacity and engagement with a digital hospital

· Creating capacity with virtual hospitalist models

· Five hundred miles of intensive care (how digital intensive care supports bricks and mortar care)

Plus, ambulatory care sessions including:

· Chronic disease management with remote patient monitoring

· Saving moms and babies: improving prenatal care via 24/7 digital access and clinical partnering with OB/GYN

· Virtual urgent care

And, we’ve added FRANC talks, the OSF OnCall version of TED talks – short, engaging presentations with compelling content and storytelling.

“We learned so much at the recent American Telemedicine Association Nexus 2024 convention in Phoenix and we wanted to continue the conversations,” said Junis. “There are so many possibilities to transform how we care for our patients; using AI to help identify patients at risk, leveraging telemedicine for specialist care, enlisting remote monitoring and digital health tools to facilitate real-time communication between patients, caregivers, and health professionals to promote timely interventions and more coordinated care.” Junis added, “We can learn from each other, while always recognizing each community and each patient we serve is unique.”

Registration includes breakfast and lunch. Wrap up the day with a cocktail reception for networking and fun!

Register NOW for $250 and get your discount.

*Registration is $300 after August 30.

Registration closes October 9.

Virtual breastfeeding support available through OSF OnCall

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 10:42:25 -0500

Breastfeeding a newborn can feel like a full-time job, especially in the first two weeks. It’s a stressful time with a lot of uncertainty, lack of sleep, conflicting demands, and some babies are cluster feeding – that is when infants want a lot of short feeds over a few hours.

Brianna Jochman, (pronounced Jock-um) RNC-MNN, BSN, CLS, digital care nurse for OSF OnCall, the digital health arm of OSF HealthCare, knows this all too well. She’s a certified lactation consultant and a new, first-time mom herself so she understands the struggles. During National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, Jochman wants new moms to know they are not alone and can lean on experts for support.

OSF OnCall is nearing the one-year anniversary of offering virtual education and coaching for new moms who are breastfeeding. Jochman says issues with lactation and latching are common. New or expectant moms can be referred to OSF OnCall for virtual breastfeeding education and coaching through their OB/GYN. Others are referred through the Medicaid Innovation Collaborative (MIC), aimed at supporting women during and after pregnancy.

Jochman says patients love that they can ask questions and get help all from the comfort of their home. She works on camera during virtual visits to show new moms how to position the baby to get the deepest latch. Without that, she says a woman’s nipples can become sore and breastfeeding becomes painful.

“We really do try to troubleshoot that latch.” Jochman adds, “First, make sure we've got a good deep latch and then if mom is still struggling, we will recommend coconut oil, olive oil, any oil-based product that you can lubricate with. We always want to lubricate before pumping and after breastfeeding.”

Jochum says coconut or olive oil is safe for babies if they get a little in their mouth.

A common mistake is not positioning the baby correctly. Jochman says it’s best to position your hand under the baby’s neck and shoulders to allow them to move their head freely. She recommends using pillows for support and positioning the baby, so their chin touches the breast first.

“You want to keep their chin up and you want to get that deep latch. You don’t want to nipple feed and have a superficial latch. Wait until baby gets that open mouth and place baby on as deep as you can.”

Self-expression is good for breastfeeding moms

Jochman uses simple demonstrations using a stuffed bunny to show proper positioning and hold. She also encourages women in the early days to self-express milk by using their hands, beginning at the chest wall and then moving forward. To demonstrate, Jochman uses a crochet breast model that allows lactation experts to show the process to new mothers who might be concerned they’re not producing enough milk.

That milk then can be saved for a “bonus” feeding.

Another tip – save using the pacifier for about two weeks to help establish a feeding routine while moms are still establishing their milk supply.

Jochman stresses, “We want to make sure in those early days that moms are watching closely for those hunger cues from babies and not getting it confused with comforting them. So, we want them to get that cluster feeding accomplished, get their supply in and then you can introduce that pacifier.”

Virtual sessions to select a breast pump and showing how it works are also part of the support. Jochman says it is important to have the correct fit and that if a feeding is missed, it’s important to hand express or pump milk to maintain a regular milk supply.

If a partner or family member wants to give a baby a bottle in the early weeks to give new moms a break, Jochman says there are other ways to support a breastfeeding mother.

“Helping the moms with meals and filling her water or changing baby’s diaper; just little things that really add up to a lot – making sure that mom is well nourished and getting breaks in between feeds so taking baby to another room, taking baby on a walk even.”

During the hot days of summer, some women are concerned their breastfeeding babies need water. Jochman says that’s not the case because the body produces the perfect nutrition for the first six months, so fully breastfed babies don’t need any water until they've started eating solid foods.

OSF OnCall breastfeeding support is available to all women, even if they are not an OSF patient. Here is the complete list of resources available:

Lactation Consultation: One-on-one sessions with certified lactation consultants to address breastfeeding challenges, techniques and positioning.
Education: Topics such as breastfeeding benefits, milk supply and pumping are addressed.
Resource Provision: Access to breastfeeding supplies, such as pumps and nursing pads, and referrals to community resources.
Nutrition Guidance: Advice on maternal nutrition and its impact on milk production.
Prenatal Education: Preparing new moms for lactation and what to expect at delivery, in addition to assistance in selecting a pump.
Behavioral Health: Nurses find appropriate support services for moms with signs of postpartum depression or anxiety.

For a virtual appointment, call 1-(844) 381-3603.

In -person breastfeeding support
In addition to virtual services through OSF OnCall, the Breastfeeding Resource Center in Peoria also offers telehealth lactation consultations and has been doing so since 2018. It can also provide in-person evaluations if an infant is not gaining enough weight, or mother is concerned about her supply. It can offer weighed feeds to see how much a baby is consuming and other issues can be evaluated such as infant suck patterns and tongue movement.

The center sees as many as 75 women in person each month with many more phone consultations. It also offers breastfeeding supplies. It can be reached at 1-(309) 683-6672.

Contact an OSF hospital near you to learn what services might be available for in-person breastfeeding support and evaluation and for information about in-person support groups for breastfeeding women led by certified lactation consultants.

Video clips with Brianna Jochman

B-roll for virtual breastfeeding support

OSF HealthCare brings new OSF OnCall Urgent Care to Sycamore

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 14:03:51 -0500

Minor illnesses and injuries can occur at some of the most inconvenient times. That’s why OSF HealthCare is offering a new convenient option in the Sycamore area for patients who need urgent care that doesn’t require a trip to the emergency department.

OSF OnCall Urgent Care clinics are located near neighborhoods and shopping areas where, historically, health care providers have not been located. The placement offers convenience and a more modern setting that has the feel of a lounge or café rather than a traditional doctor’s office, and it offers greater ease of access to care. Charging stations, free coffee, water or hot chocolate, blankets during the cold weather, and a large family treatment room allows for children to accompany a parent and siblings.

The new OSF OnCall urgent care will be at 661 S. Peace Road, Ste. 101 in Sycamore. The new clinic is scheduled to open July 29, with a soft launch providing health assessments and treatment Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Eventually, operations will expand to weekends. Walk-ins are welcome or online reservations are available at osfoncall.org.

OSF OnCall Urgent Care is staffed by experienced care guides, a radiology technologist and an advanced practice provider. Providers deliver basic urgent care services such as treatment for cold, cough, flu, sprains, minor lacerations and fractures, school and sports physicals, urinary tract and upper respiratory infections among other minor ailments and conditions. The sites have X-ray and diagnostic laboratory services available as needed for treatment. Additionally, many common medicines, such as antibiotics, will be dispensed onsite, so many patients will be able to skip the trip to the pharmacy.

“From busy parents to college students and retirees, we also know there’s a need for safe, high-quality, hyper-convenient and affordable health care and OnCall Urgent Care opens the doors to provide just that. The easy access – whether in-person, or virtually – offers urgent care without the hassle and cost of a trip to the emergency department,” Barth stressed.

“The addition of the new OSF OnCall option in Sycamore allows us to serve area residents where and when they need it. OSF OnCall Virtual Urgent Care is also available when people need care after hours,” Barth stressed.“ OSF OnCall Urgent Care is a wonderful service that embraces a modern urgent care concept, so we are able to provide quick, high-quality care for on-the-go patients.”

Anyone experiencing a medical emergency or symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or severe abdominal pain should go directly to the nearest emergency department or call 9-1-1.

B-Roll

OSF OnCall Senior Vice President Jennifer Junis named to American Telemedicine Association Leadership Council

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 09:56:32 -0500

OSF OnCall Senior Vice President Jennifer Junis has been named to the American Telemedicine Association’s newly formed Leadership Council to facilitate collaborative problem-solving and expedite practical solutions to today’s health care challenges.

The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) is a broad and inclusive member network working to advance industry adoption of telehealth, promote responsible policy, advocate for government and market normalization, and provide education and resources to help integrate digital care into emerging value-based delivery models of care.

OSF HealthCare has been a member of the American Telemedicine Association for more than 10 years. The association has been a resource as the Peoria, Illinois-based health system built its OSF OnCall digital health platform to expand access to care, particularly to vulnerable communities.

“I believe the future of health care keeps patients at the center of new models that provide expanded access to high quality, lower-cost care to improve individuals’ health and wellness, and therefore their quality of life,” said Jennifer Junis, senior vice president OSF OnCall. “I’m excited to be among dedicated professionals committed to tackling the biggest challenges facing telehealth, uncovering new opportunities while keeping momentum strong and bipartisan support high.”

OSF OnCall recently shared its journey to create a digital health arm at the ATA’s Nexus 2024 conference in Phoenix, Arizona. A system spotlight presentation and a high-profile, interactive exhibit showcased many OSF OnCall digital care programs.

“We were honored to share the challenging but exciting journey we’ve taken to capitalize on new technology and partnerships to enhance access, improve outcomes, and foster a culture of proactive health care management,” Junis said of the experience.

ATA Leadership Council members will meet twice a year to help prepare their organizations for emerging developments and best practices that will enhance efforts to expand telehealth.

American Telemedicine Association CEO Ann Mond Johnson says members are committed to creating evidence and building trust in health care and telehealth, and to using telemedicine to eliminate disparities in health care.

“OSF OnCall demonstrates how telehealth can be done and in fact, that it can be done. So, it represents how health systems can meet patients where they are, which is what we’re trying to do as an industry,” said Mond Johnson. “I’m so pleased to have Jennifer’s experience on the Leadership Council to help us drive policy and efforts that can help others achieve what OSF has been able to accomplish.”

Virtual urgent care might be your best option this summer

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 09:04:49 -0500

Your toddler spent the day in the pool and now has a weird rash that’s kept her up all night. You’re feeling a familiar pain, and you just know it’s a urinary tract infection but you’re leaving for vacation in the morning.

These are typical summertime scenarios, and instead of having to wait until a walk-in clinic opens, OSF OnCall Urgent Care offers virtual care options that are available 24/7 year-round, including holidays and weekends.

Kate Barth, vice president/chief nursing officer for On-Demand Services, OSF OnCall, says consumers want health care options that are convenient, like what they’re used to experiencing with online shopping and banking, so OSF offers lower-cost, easy virtual urgent care options, especially when a minor illness or injury happens after hours.

AAA projects Independence Day travelers will set new records both nationwide and in Illinois. More than 70.9 million people around the U.S. are expected to travel 50 miles or more away from home with 4.1 million being Illinoisans. Barth says if you’re away from home, no problem.

If there’s Wi-Fi, internet or a hotspot near a campsite or at a hotel, a video visit with an OSF OnCall provider could be more convenient than finding the nearest walk-in clinic.

Individuals who want to virtually access OSF OnCall Urgent Care can select an online interview (taking between 5-15 minutes) where they’re asked a series of questions about symptoms and how they’re feeling. Their information will be reviewed within an hour. Using a chat feature, additional information could be requested before an OSF HealthCare provider offers a treatment plan.

“Maybe the provider would need to visualize the bug bite or something that looks like a rash, so we do have that video option also available to be able to assess that situation and be able to give a diagnosis in that case as well.”

If treatment requires medication, a prescription can be sent to the pharmacy of the individual’s choice.

What happens if the online consult or video visit reveals someone needs to be seen in-person?

“We all know there are things that sometimes can’t be virtually treated. Sometimes a lab test may be needed, or a hands-on assessment might be needed to confirm a diagnosis. In that case, we simply refund that virtual visit knowing that it is best-case scenario for you to be seen in an actual urgent care setting.”

For example, sprains and strains can usually be assessed virtually, but broken bones can only be confirmed through an X-ray, which is available at an OSF OnCall Urgent Care walk-in location.

Barth points out, those walk-in clinics also offer more than simple urgent care.

“Employee physicals or drug testing as well as those school and sports physicals that we always catch ourselves running behind on where at the last minute a child says, ‘I need this for tomorrow!’”

The cost of virtual care is less than an in-person visit. An online interview is $30 and a video visit, typically lasting between 15 to 25 minutes, is $60. OSF OnCall Urgent Care accepts a wide variety of insurance plans. Medicare patients are welcome to use an OSF OnCall Urgent Care option, however a virtual visit is not currently reimbursed.

Anyone experiencing a medical emergency or symptoms such as chest pain, breathing difficulty or severe abdominal pain should go directly to the nearest emergency department or call 9-1-1.

Video Clips of Kate Barth

B-roll of Virtual Urgent Care

‘Care was so personal’ says broadcaster, former state ag leader about OSF OnCall Digital Hospital

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:00:55 -0500

In the farming communities of Illinois and beyond, the name Colleen (pronounced COH-leen) Callahan is a familiar one. The former president of the National Farm Broadcasters Association and long-time agriculture broadcaster at WMBD radio, WMBD and WCIA TV stations in Peoria and Champaign, Illinois made Callahan a household name to many – even before she became director of Rural Development in Illinois for the U.S. Ag Department and later director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Callahan knows how to navigate a variety of situations but was at a loss when she recently found herself with bacterial pneumonia in both lungs. She was admitted to OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois where she spent three days before being offered the opportunity to become a digital hospital patient through OSF OnCall, the digital health arm of OSF.

The typically healthy 73-year-old has only needed to see her family doctor for anything other than a routine exam only twice in her lifetime but says even so, the idea of leaving the hospital after just three days seemed impossible. She felt better yes, but still had a long way to full recovery.

However, Callahan learned she could receive hospital-level care at home because her condition qualified and she lived within 30 minutes of the hospital. If she relapsed, no need to go to an emergency department, she would be speeded back to her hospital bed by ambulance – the same way she was sent home.

“And by the time I got home, all the necessary equipment that the doctors and the nurses needed was here. And from that moment forward, I received incredible personal care. It's not that it wasn't personal in the hospital, but it felt more personal because I was in my home.”

Callahan was visited by nurses twice a day and had a daily virtual visit with an OSF OnCall doctor via a tablet provided to her. Anytime she needed to be connected to the OSF OnCall care team, she only had to press a button on the tablet or pick up the installed landline phone connected directly to providers (no need to dial). It couldn’t have been easier.

Early release to home allowed Callahan to do the things she could do; while still getting all the care she would have received in the hospital.

“By that time, when I could take oral medication and I could get up and move around, then I just wanted to do that on my own. I didn’t want to push the buzzer. I didn’t want to ask for help. You know, I’ve always been pretty independent, and I wanted to be that way again even though I knew there were a lot of things I wasn’t ready to do, there were things I wanted to do that I knew I could do if I was home.”

Was she concerned about having strangers in her home? Callahan said they were so professional and personable, that wasn’t an issue.

“We talked about pets. We talked about families, what they'd done before they were doing digital hospital. And in a way, when I was released from the (digital) hospital and knew that none of them would be coming again, I kind of missed them. I was getting better, and I was glad to feel better. But I was also very glad for their presence in our home helping me get better.”

Callahan’s husband was home, and her daughter stayed with them as well, just to make sure she was okay, but Callahan points out, her care was in the hands of professionals. Three meals-a-day were also delivered from the hospital to her home.

For those who are hesitant, Callahan says it’s really a return to the way medical care was delivered in the early part of the 20^th century.

“Do think about it being an approach to the old fashion house call. You get to go home, and the nurses make a house call to you twice a day with interim visits with the doctor. That's a really good way to frame it.”

OSF OnCall Digital Hospital is available in Peoria and Rockford. The costs are comparable to an in-hospital stay and is covered by Medicare and some private insurance.

Video clips with digital hospital patient Colleen Callahan

B-roll of OSF OnCall Digital Hospital

OSF Digital Hospital patients in Rockford area say it’s the best medicine

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 08:46:06 -0500

On the same day Congress was asked to extend a federal waiver for hospital-at-home programs, Audrey Paesani, 85, was celebrating the care she received in just such a program through OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois.

Health systems, including OSF HealthCare, want the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to extend for five more years the Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver program Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver program to allow payment for at-home, hospital level care such as what’s being offered through OSF OnCall, the digital arm of OSF. The additional time would allow health systems to continue to build out logistics, supply chains and staffing and gather enough data to convince lawmakers at-home hospital care is safe, cost-effective and patients love it.

Paesani, who has COPD and a heart condition, was recently discharged from the OSF OnCall Digital Hospital program which she called, “an impossible dream.” She received regular in-person visits from a team of nurses who answered questions, took vitals, dispensed medication and made sure she had enough portable oxygen. An OSF OnCall provider overseeing her care checked in with virtual visits twice daily while Paesani enjoyed being home with her dog and having three meals delivered daily to her home from the hospital.

The one-time marketing coordinator lives alone but enjoyed her family being able stop by so easily each day without having to navigate parking decks and long walks down endless hospital hallways.

Robert Thornton, 78, of Belvidere just outside of Rockford spent five days receiving hospital-level care in the home he shares with his wife, Nancy. He had COVID and pneumonia, in addition to his COPD. His trip to the hospital was scary but his trip back home for a five-day stay in the Digital Hospital program was far better than he expected.

After passing both clinical and social screenings at the hospital, Thornton authorized the OSF OnCall team to set up all the equipment he would need at home to communicate and receive treatment. That includes a personal emergency response system which rings to the OSF OnCall Command Center for a nurse to respond to, triage and send an ambulance if necessary. Think of it as the call light in a hospital, only with someone monitoring it remotely at all times.

Thornton was visited by a field team of a nurse and nursing assistant, in addition to the twice-a-day virtual visits via a tablet that he didn’t even have to turn on and off.

“They came in three to four times a day to ensure that I took my medicine, that I had blood tests done, that I conversed with the main office via phone, and to give me my IVs and to see that everything went smoothly ... that I was progressing towards the final goal of being better.”

Navigating the equipment was easy for Thornton and his wife who recommend the program to anyone who qualifies. He points out a month ago, he was winded climbing just a few steps to get into his house. Now, he can manage that without a problem. His advice, “Just go for it.”

Care is safe and convenient for patients

Research to date shows patients in digital hospital programs recover faster, experience fewer falls and hospital acquired infections. OSF OnCall Digital Care Manager Melissa Meier, MSN, RN says the model also increases capacity to provide acute-care without additional costs. As patients are brought home, it frees up beds within the medical center for the most critically ill patients.

Courtney Dahnert, MSN, RN, supervisor of Clinical Digital Care for OSF OnCall Digital Hospital in Rockford, says the care team at the OSF OnCall Command Center will identify patients aged 18 and older who could be enrolled. Criteria includes their diagnosis, condition stability, whether their insurer offers coverage, and they must live within 30 minutes of OSF Saint Anthony.

Dahnert loves the return to a more personalized approach that includes Bluetooth enabled devices for patient-specific data which offer valuable insights into how the patient is doing, allowing proactive interventions. Personalized care plans for digital hospital patients are developed around individual routines – even must-see TV shows.

“It takes us back to being able to provide that really good care; getting to know someone even though we're only caring for them for two or three days and making their health relevant to them. And it gives us time to breathe. So it's an amazing opportunity for both the patient and the provider.”

OSF was the first provider of hospital-at-home care in Illinois and has served more than 400 patients since the program was launched in 2022 in Peoria. CMS is currently gathering comments about hospital-at-home and will make recommendations to Congress this fall about whether to extend the waiver program, make it permanent or end it.

Video clips with patient Robert Thornton and Courtney Dahnert

B-roll of first OSF OnCall Digital Hospital patient in Rockford area

OpenSurg Inc., and OSF HealthCare collaborate to revolutionize operating room efficiency and improve patient safety

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 11:06:38 -0600

OpenSurg, Inc., a cutting-edge health care technology company headquartered in Chicago and with offices in Peoria, has announced a significant milestone in its mission to enhance patient safety and streamline operating room processes.

OpenSurg emerged from an idea of two surgical nurses at Peoria, Illinois-based OSF HealthCare. The new startup will commercialize their Device Table – part of a cloud-based web application with an expanding database for implanted medical devices, including those used for outpatient procedures. Rebranded as DeviceWise™ the app will include critical information about how to manage those devices for safety during surgeries. Millions of people across the country live with some type of medical device in their bodies to treat chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and epilepsy. If not handled properly patients and/or the devices can be harmed.

OSF Healthcare, regarded as one of the most innovative health care systems in the U.S., recently signed a licensing agreement for intellectual property that is included in DeviceWise™. This agreement marks a strategic collaboration aimed at advancing surgical practices and elevating patient safety standards.

Other revolutionary features of DeviceWise™ are specifically designed to optimize patient flow, reduce procedural delays and cancellations, and significantly enhance patient safety throughout the surgical process. For example, the DeviceWise™ team is currently working on an addition to its app, called CaseChat to help surgical care teams communicate in real time about device preparation and management.

DeviceWise™ has been successfully deployed at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria for the past three years and is being scaled across all 16 hospitals within the OSF HealthCare Ministry.

This technology has demonstrated its efficacy in real-world surgical environments, garnered positive feedback from medical professionals, enhanced patient outcomes, and achieved significant savings, including $1.9 million in reduced surgery cancellations and delays at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center alone.

"We are thrilled to embark on this transformative journey with OSF HealthCare," says Jim Weldy, CEO at OpenSurg, Inc.

Weldy is a former member of the OSF Innovation Studio team and helped shepherd the idea to solve the surgical implant problem that caused the delay or cancellation of hundreds of surgeries at OSF Saint Francis. Surgical nurses Jill Teubel and Mary Marvin initially created a spread sheet which they manually updated and made available on surgical carts. The OSF Innovation Studio team helped develop the user-friendly product that OpenSurg further advanced and will continue to scale, along with other features.

“The collaboration between OpenSurg, Inc. and OSF HealthCare exemplifies our shared commitment to innovation in the health care sector,” said OSF Innovation Senior Vice President Becky Buchen. “By leveraging these groundbreaking technologies, both of our organizations aim to transform the landscape of surgical procedures, providing health care practitioners with state-of-the-art tools to enhance their capabilities and elevate patient care.”

OSF is bringing hospital-level care home to Rockford-area residents

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 09:55:27 -0600

The success of the OSF OnCall Digital Hospital in Peoria has paved the way for expansion to Rockford, Illinois.

OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center is preparing to launch OSF OnCall Digital Hospital – an option to receive hospital-level care at home for some patients such as those with heart failure, COPD, COVID, infections, pneumonia, or other illnesses. Patients who qualify have been admitted through the emergency department or referred for admission directly by their provider.

Courtney Dahnert, MSN, RN, supervisor of Clinical Digital Care for OSF OnCall Digital Hospital in Rockford, says the care team at the OSF OnCall Command Center in Peoria will identify patients aged 18 and older who could be enrolled. Criteria to be enrolled includes their diagnosis, condition stability, they live within 30 minutes of OSF Saint Anthony, and have an insurer that covers hospital care at home. Medicare is among the payers willing to support home-based acute care.

OSF OnCall Digital Care Manager Melissa Meier, MSN, RN, says patients are also screened to make sure their home environment is safe and that they have the ability to be cared for at home. Once enrolled, a tech kit, providing 24/7 instant connection, is set up in the home before a patient arrives.

“A tablet, which is how we do our video visits, as well as Bluetooth enabled biometric equipment for us to be able to do vital signs remotely. We also bring a backup power source as well as a backup internet source and a device which is a personal emergency response system, which functions much like a Life Alert button.”

For potential candidates worried they’re not tech savvy, Pam Anderson, a patient from Morton enrolled in the program through OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria says everything is so easy to use.

“The phone … you don't dial it. You just pick it up and it rings directly to the (digital health) center. And once you do that, then somebody will appear on the iPad. So, if you do need something, you're actually speaking to someone (you can see). You're not just talking on the phone. And they're extremely prompt in answering. So there really isn't, in my opinion, a lot of technology involved. Thank heavens,” Anderson gladly reports.

There is a minimum of two visits from a nurse each day. Patients receive three meals a day and individuals can live alone or with family members. Costs are the same as for a hospital stay.

Meier says OSF OnCall Digital Hospital helps both the health system and the patient.

Research also shows patients in digital hospital programs recover faster, fewer are re-admitted to the hospital and they avoid hospital-acquired infections.

OSF is currently recruiting and training nurses for the digital hospital program in Rockford with special curriculum developed by OSF Innovation. It includes simulation for real-life scenarios, so nurses are prepared for any challenges. Dahnert says most nurses enjoy this new way of caring for patients that harkens back to the days of house calls.

For patients concerned about their care and safety at home, the first-ever digital hospital patient for OSF, Jim Stickelmaier, says being at home was the best medicine.

“I would say definitely try it. I think they’ll find out that it was a lot easier and a lot nicer to be at home than in the hospital.”

OSF OnCall has cared for nearly 370 patients in the Peoria area since launching its digital hospital program in August of 2022. The first digital hospital patient at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center could be admitted after the program launches for Rockford area patients on February 27.

Melissa Meier and Courtney Dahnert

OSF OnCall Digital Hospital Peoria-area patients Pam Anderson and Jim Stickelmaier

B-roll OSF OnCall Digital Hospital

OSF HealthCare pilots virtual nursing to reduce burnout and improve patient experience

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 12:23:18 -0500

If you ask Ernest Cummings, a newer Peoria resident who found himself in the hospital for a diabetes-related condition, OSF HealthCare should continue using virtual nurses.

“It was better. Sometimes they (nurses) have other patients and sometimes it does take too long and sometimes I’m impatient,” Cummings says with a laugh. “But it was nice today,” he said after his hospital discharge discussion with OSF OnCall Virtual Nurse Laurice Domingo.

Before his discharge from the medical surgical unit at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center, Domingo touched base with a multidisciplinary team including his attending physician, social worker and anyone else who might have been part of Cummings’ care. Then Domingo popped onto the TV screen in the room, introduced herself and went through paperwork that had already been given to Cummings to look over before the video chat. Domingo makes sure to ask if Mr. Cummings is clear on next steps and if he has any other needs.

“How about transportation? “Yes. My brother is probably downstairs waiting for me,” Cummings shares. Domingo closes out the visit. “If there isn’t anything else I can help you with, I’ll let you go so you can go home!”

OSF HealthCare is piloting virtual nursing on three medical surgical floors, covering about 75 patients at its flagship medical center, Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. The Performance Improvement division at OSF Innovation was tapped to design how virtual nurses through OSF OnCall Digital Health, can reduce the burden of bedside nurses and create a better patient experience leveraging the right technology. The pilot is testing two different approaches using installed technology on TVs in patient rooms that allow an audio-visual connection with the patient, and another that involves bringing in a tablet for the patient to use.

Domingo is already a pro at virtual nursing after having been part of the launch of the OSF OnCall Digital Hospital in August of 2022. She currently works from the OSF OnCall building in downtown Peoria but Vice President of Digital Care Brandi Clark says that could change in the future to help recruit and retain virtual nurses who might want to work from home.

OSF OnCall and nursing leaders haven’t yet settled on the technology platform that’ll be used but Clark says there is an advantage to hard-wired technology on television screens.

Patient feedback has been positive

“Patients certainly have expressed that they have had a good experience with the virtual nurse both with the tablet as well as with the installed technology in the room. A real benefit to the installed technology for the bedside nurses is that it requires no work from them to bring that technology into the room to the patient.”

So far, OSF OnCall virtual nurses have mostly been involved in admissions and discharges which can be time-consuming and often leads to patients waiting for a bedside nurse to become available. OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Vice President-Chief Nursing Officer Jennifer Croland says they are also testing other ways to potentially use virtual nurses, including allowing the remote nurse to provide patient education.

“We've also looked at things like scribing patient assessments, doing regular rounding in the rooms to check on the patients, completing checklists and providing information on discharge appointments. And setting those up. So, there's been a fair amount that we've tried to do and we're really still trying to land on what is best for that virtual nurse to do.”

The lessons learned to date include the importance of good communication between the virtual nurse and the bedside nurse.

Over a four-month period of the pilot, virtual nurses completed 93.4% of admissions and 87.7% of discharges, freeing up bedside nurse time. Completion of advanced care directive forms to document end-of-life wishes and patient education documentation increased from 60% to 100%.

Skeptical bedside nurses have come to appreciate the support a virtual nurse can provide in alleviating some timely tasks that take them from direct care. Brandi Clark says many hospital systems are testing options to see what works best and is cost neutral, while reducing nurse burnout.

“While there is not necessarily published, evidence-based literature out there to say, ‘this is how it should work,’ we are all learning together about how this will help optimize care for patients in the inpatient setting in the future.”

While the pilot continues, the OSF Performance Improvement team is collaborating with frontline Mission Partners and leaders to continue to design the model and workflows to expand how OSF HealthCare can leverage virtual nursing care across its 16 hospitals.

Patient Ernest Cummings and OSF OnCall virtual nurse Laurice Domingo

Brandi Clark and Jennifer Croland

Virtual Nursing B-Roll

OSF OnCall Connect On the Go van will expand connection to education, care for the Rockford region

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 16:49:58 -0500

OSF HealthCare and leaders from OSF OnCall, its digital health division, have unveiled a unique option for individuals to get connected to care resources in their neighborhood. OSF OnCall Connect On the Go will be offering an easy connection to services through its van operating soon in the Rockford area. The mobile unit will be staffed with digital health navigators who will provide guidance, advocacy, education, and support for individuals 18 and older, using technology and digital tools that can empower patients to be more involved in their own health and wellness.

Our OSF OnCall team will offer a variety of health resources for the community:

Health screenings for blood pressure, pulse, blood glucose and total cholesterol
Help with scheduling a primary care provider visit, a mammogram or finding an urgent care location
Support for downloading and using health apps such as OSF MyChart; showing how to connect to OSF OnCall Urgent Care for a virtual visit available 24/7
Connection to social drivers of health resources for unmet needs such as food, housing or transportation in local communities

OSF OnCall Vice President Brandi Clark addressed those gathered at a blessing and dedication for the On the Go van at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois today.

Empower Boone and Rockford Rescue Mission are key partners and will regularly host the On the Go van to help individuals navigate care options and digital tools. Organizations interested in hosting the OSF OnCall On the Go van can make that request online at osfoncall.org/onthego.

Clark stressed, “Our team of digital health navigators understand that there are often social and non-clinical barriers to health care. And we’re proud to help with those too. From housing to transportation, our team can provide direct referrals to community-based organizations that can help.”

OSF OnCall Connect On the Go is provided through the Medicaid Innovation Collaborative (MIC), a state-funded, five-year initiative is designed to transform health care delivery to improve outcomes, decrease disparities and reduce costs using sustainable programs. MIC provides digital care services and personalized support for Illinois Medicaid patients through programs developed by OSF OnCall including chronic condition support with remote patient monitoring, digital health and wellness education and coaching plus 24/7 pregnancy and postpartum care and digital support.

Digital health navigators will help individuals who qualify enroll in those Medicaid-supported innovative programs during the van stops. Two additional On the Go vans will be deployed in other communities early next year.

OSF offers accessible Urgent Care clinics in Chicago area

Thu, 25 May 2023 11:02:16 -0500

Sickness and injuries can come out of nowhere, and sometimes you just need to see a health care provider as soon as possible. But with medical appointments in demand and long lines at the emergency room, that’s not always the easiest thing to schedule.

In the Chicago-area, OSF HealthCare Little Company of Mary has five OSF OnCall Urgent Care Clinics. These clean, high-quality, accessible clinics can get you seen by a health care professional very efficiently and the hours throughout the year are flexible for anyone’s schedules.

You can even get care through 24/7 virtual visits anywhere in Illinois and Michigan.

“We’re open seven days in the week, 12 hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.,” Adriana Monarrez, certified medical assistant with OSF OnCall Urgent Care says.

On top of being seen for common injuries and illnesses, OSF OnCall Urgent Care offers a wide variety of other services.

“We do drug screenings, strep tests and more,” says Felisa Mercado, medical office assistant at OSF OnCall. “The shortest amount of time patients are here goes from 10 minutes to 30-40 minutes. We’re open on holidays even, which is very important to the community.”

Health care providers at OSF OnCall Urgent Care locations across the OSF Ministry also perform minor procedures such as stitches and wound care, X-rays and more. A provider can refer you to a specialist if further care is needed.

“We’ll do the registration, any testing or X-Rays, and then the provider will come in,” Monarrez says.

Like Mercado and Monarrez, staff at many of the OSF OnCall Urgent Care clinics in the Chicago area are bilingual. Translators are available too.

OSF OnCall Urgent Care clinics accepts a wide range of insurance plans. You can find the full list here: osfhealthcare.org/billing/insurance/plans/ or visit osfoncall.org/urgentcare to learn more.

To see this full story in Spanish, click here.

Video Interview Clips

OSF OnCall Urgent Care Clinic B-Roll

24-7 connection through OSF OnCall empowers patients and improves outcomes

Mon, 15 May 2023 12:48:59 -0500

Elexys Rosales, a 25-year-old petite pregnant woman from Bloomington, Illinois, was plagued by anxiety that seemed to get worse at night during her third trimester. Her concern was not only limited to her anxiety affecting the baby girl she’s carrying, but also having a low-weight baby due to her own below-average weight. Fortunately, her doctor suggested a mobile app and online platform providing her 24/7 contact with a care team made up of a nurse, pharmacist, social worker and licensed therapist.

The tool was developed by Get Well, a digital health company founded by cancer survivor Michael O'Neil, who wanted to be more involved in his own care. Together with Peoria, Illinois-based OSF HealthCare and its OSF OnCall digital health arm, they deliver the kind of experience that provides the necessary support for patients such as Rosales where, when and how they want it.

For Rosales, it means being able to reach out at 3 a.m. when her anxiety is keeping her awake.

“Being pregnant and having anxiety, you get so emotional, and I would be crying to myself at night. I would call the nurses and they would be on the phone with me for hours sometimes, or just 30 minutes to help me calm myself down. They would talk about different things, including my future with the baby.”

Women enrolled in the OSF OnCall pregnancy and postpartum program receive a blood pressure cuff and regularly report their readings through routine check-ins to avoid having high blood pressure that can lead to pre-eclampsia – a potentially, life-threatening condition. High readings or certain patient messages send alerts through the GetWell Loop platform and prompt an OSF OnCall nurse to reach out. In some cases, the call is escalated to a video visit, or an ambulance run to the hospital emergency department.

OSF HealthCare serves 1 million patients a year. Brandi Clark, vice president of Digital Care, OSF OnCall, says digital tools and platforms such as Get Well can expand access to care and provide wrap-around services to improve a patient’s experience, no matter where they are physically and in their health care journey.

By leveraging remote patient monitoring, education, coaching, navigation and virtual care, OSF OnCall optimizes the expertise of highly engaged nurses, many of whom work remotely, ensuring personalized care for patients through many encounters. It also helps retain experienced nurses who embrace the new opportunity to care for patients in a different way, without some of the physical stressors of in-person care.

The ultimate goal is to improve patient outcomes and experiences while reducing costs. Clark says early metrics reveal supplementing in-person care with additional support is paying off.

“We've enrolled thousands of patients who have been discharged from our hospitals and have demonstrated a 10% or greater reduction in hospital readmissions for those patients who are enrolled in that hospital discharge program. Additionally, we're really beginning to learn about the outcomes that we're achieving with our pregnancy program and beginning to actually see some of those patients that we're taking care of delivering healthy babies.”

OSF OnCall Digital Care Manager Kara Roat says Get Well has a nationally recognized library of medical education that includes videos and tutorials that can be customized for specific OSF patient populations. The company’s digital platform was also used to quickly respond to patient needs, such as remote patient monitoring for babies and young children when RSV hit earlier and harder last year. The GetWell loop can offer education to individuals with a new diagnosis, in addition to training for a patient and their- family when preparing to leave the hospital. Roat says communications can include reminders and questions.

“We ask questions like did you pick up your medications from the pharmacy after you left? Do you have a follow-up visit with your provider? Do you have transportation to that visit with your provider to ensure that they're successful as they leave our hospitals, so they don't get readmitted to our hospital if we can prevent it?”

Helping navigate care options

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, engagement via digital technology has rapidly become the preferred form of communication for many, but not all. For patients who need help getting enrolled and learning the basics, OSF OnCall digitally enabled community health workers help patients get connected. Clark explains tools are easy to use and the Get Well platform makes it simple to assess if patients need other support such as food, transportation, rental assistance or other drivers of health.

“If needs are identified, we're able to connect them through our digitally upskilled community health workers who are able to help ensure those members of our community and our patients are getting all the services that they need.”

Those community health workers are often deeply engaged in neighborhood activities and can be embedded within organizations such as the Salvation Army or the YM or YWCA. They can also be stationed at OSF OnCall Connect Bars that are in select, easy-access medical offices.

Roat emphasizes the various programs available through GetWell Loop offer a digital safety net that builds trust through a growing relationship with patients.

“All of our services are in addition to the in-person care that patients should be receiving each and every day. We really strive to fill in the gaps for these patients. It allows them to receive care at any time of day or night and have the opportunity to meet with the provider (virtually) or chat with a nurse whenever is needed.”

Part of the education through GetWell Loop includes live, online birthing classes. Rosales likes that she can keep her camera off if she doesn’t feel like engaging. She says sessions dealing with anxiety have been helpful, particularly when she hears other would-be moms talk about how they cope with their struggles. With her own family in Colorado, Rosales says she’s comforted by having round-the-clock support.

“The nurses are like my family of course. So I know they will always be there for me and support me so I would definitely ask many questions about this pregnancy of mine, especially my first time. I just don't want anything to happen to me or the baby so I think it's best to ask as many questions as you can.”

Rosales also plans to enroll in the postpartum support option available through OSF OnCall, which offers depression screening, education and 24/7 support after delivery. The pregnancy and postpartum program has been able to provide five times the amount of depression screening than is traditionally provided. Mental health is a growing concern for all ages across health care. Clark says her team is developing more mental health digital support options in the coming months. OSF already offers SilverCloud – a free, secure, anonymous and interactive platform to manage the feelings and causes of mild to moderate stress, anxiety or depression.

Elexys Rosales, Brandi Clark and Kara Roat

OSF HealthCare Celebrating 10 years of Jump Simulation

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 11:15:00 -0500

Economic impact on the region in excess of $100-million

The Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center, part of OSF HealthCare, is marking its 10-year anniversary. Since opening in 2013, Jump has grown into a world-class medical simulation and education center. Spread across 168,000 square feet on six floors, Jump is the largest specially built medical simulation and innovation center in the country, located on the campus of OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Jump was made possible by a $25 million gift from the DiSomma Family Foundation to OSF and the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria. That combined with a $25 million match from OSF paved the way for construction of the state-of-the-art center which opened in 2013.

OSF HealthCare partnered with Bradley University on a study looking at the impact Jump has had over the last decade, both economically and non-economically, on the areas it serves.

The preliminary results of the study show the facility has generated income and spending throughout Illinois by creating jobs and commerce, providing medical education and training, and generating research and grant activity.

Over the ten-year period from 2013-2022, Jump's activities enhanced economic activity by over $103 million and created more than 600 full-time jobs.

“If we include the original 2012-2013 construction expenditures for the entire physical building into the analysis, the total economic impact is $180 million with more than 1,000 jobs created,” said Joshua Lewer, Bradley University Economics and Finance Department chair. “It is important to note that Jump has not yet approached its long-run full operating capacity. So these numbers will only continue to improve. We believe Jump has demonstrated its strength as an economic engine for the communities it serves.”

OSF HealthCare launched OSF Innovation within Jump in 2016. The idea was to bring multidisciplinary teams together to generate and adopt solutions to advance health care. Today, OSF Innovation is integrated across all 15 hospitals in the OSF HealthCare Ministry.

“I came to OSF HealthCare for the chance to build a one-of-a-kind center to not just train health workers of the future, but to re-create health care as we know it,” said John Vozenilek, MD, vice president and chief medical officer for Innovation at OSF HealthCare. “Jump was the catalyst for OSF to lead revolutionary change in health care through innovation and faith as we made it our vision to transform health care to improve the lives of those we serve.”

In the first decade of operation, Jump and OSF Innovation became one of about a dozen health care sites converting two-dimensional images of the heart into exact 3D printed replicas for surgical planning; partnered with the state of Illinois to create the Pandemic Health Worker program to digitally care for people with COVID-19 across the state. This included the launch of the OSF OnCall Digital Hospital; and, was awarded $66 million, along with OSF OnCall, over the next few years to improve access to health care and address the social needs of those living in underserved areas using digital solutions.

As part of the anniversary event, Jump Simulation was transformed to highlight of the accomplishments of the past decade as well as give a glimpse into what the future of health care might look like.

Highlights included:

The future of health care exhibit highlighted the OSF vision for advances in technology, including smart mirrors that check your vital signs. The OSF SmartMirror is a tangible way to understand how health care may look or feel radically different in the future. OSF Innovation teams are actively involved in developing these new modes of care with a focus on better patient care simply by looking in the mirror.
Engineering and Advanced Image Modeling (AIM) labs with 3D printed personalized organ replicas in plastic and resin. Surgeons immerse themselves via virtual reality (VR) goggles inside a vital organ, scanned from an actual patients and put into 3D for pre-surgical planning. Jump has completed 374 segmentations, including free services for larger hospitals across the country such as Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago.
Experts showed how OSF HealthCare is using massive amounts of data for Artificial Intelligence (AI) to uncover patterns of behavior, medical history, and social conditions that put people at risk. Attendees could see and test a concussion detection app under development.
OSF HealthCare has digitally transformed with a virtual hospital. OSF OnCall hospitalists, nurses, physicians, and advanced practice providers support the digital hospital with services such as virtual intensive care to serve as another set of eyes for providers, advance care at home and remote patient monitoring with more than 25,000 interactions a week.

“With the foundation we’ve laid this past decade and leadership of The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, we are in a position to lead change, handle new challenges and care for patients in ways we’ve never done before,” explained Becky Buchen, senior vice president of OSF Innovation. “The seeds have already been planted for concepts to become a reality that currently might seem hard to imagine.”

Among them:

A number of studies suggest that AI can perform as well as or better than humans at diagnosing diseases.
OSF Innovation is exploring predictive models that will better locate the location of lung metastasis that will result in better outcomes for our patients.
OSF is investigating the use of precision medicine technologies that will provide personalized and targeted treatments for our patients.

You can learn more about the endless possibilities and exciting work taking place at OSF Innovation and Jump Simulation by visiting their websites.

Dr. John Vozenilek interview clips

Becky Buchen interview clips

B-roll

OSF chosen for groundbreaking effort to improve patient care

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 11:00:00 -0600

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has named OSF HealthCare one of 42 health systems nationwide to carry out a pioneering initiative to accelerate and improve the implementation of research results in clinical care to improve patient outcomes.

As a participant in PCORI’s Health Systems Implementation Initiative (HSII), OSF HealthCare will bring its experience and expertise in health care delivery to help develop and implement viable strategies to actively adopt new practices, with a goal to cut the typical years-long lag between publication of research results that have been shown to improve patient outcomes and the widespread implementation of those practices.

“OSF HealthCare has been committed to transforming health care since 1877 when our pioneering Sisters started this Ministry,” said Melinda Cooling, DNP, chief clinician executive of OSF OnCall and senior vice president of advanced practice at OSF HealthCare. “This prestigious opportunity will allow us to continue to lead efforts to support changes in care delivery to improve patient health outcomes. We are pleased to partner with PCORI to lay the groundwork for broader adoption of evidence-based practices.”

OSF started the rigorous selection process in early 2022 under Cooling’s leadership. Other members of the team who worked to secure this opportunity include Colleen Klein, PhD, APRN, OSF HealthCare education and research scientist; Matt Dalstrom, PhD, MPH, professor, Saint Anthony College of Nursing; William Bond, MD, director of Simulation Research; Nikki Delinski, DNP, MSN, RN, director of Inpatient Surgical and Neuro Services, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center; and, Katrina Rewerts, grant writer for OSF HealthCare.

HSII will give OSF HealthCare and other participating health systems options for projects to participate in, with each deciding on the projects they are best suited for. OSF could receive up to $500,000 for a project in the initial stage that supports preparation for future implementation strategies. A second HSII funding opportunity will support practical and innovative projects that promote the use of evidence from PCORI-funded research studies within the health systems, with funds ranging from $500,000 to $5 million per implementation project.

Through the HSII Learning Network, OSF and other participants will share experiences and learn from one another about best practices for implementation, evaluation metrics, and other topics integral to successful implementation of care-informing strategies. Through the network, participants will provide input to PCORI on topics and specific PCORI-funded findings of interest for future implementation projects.

HSII participants represent 800 hospitals serving 79 million patients across 41 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to OSF HealthCare, they include other academic medical centers, community-based systems, integrated healthcare delivery and finance systems, safety net health systems, other faith-based systems, public health care delivery systems and a medical center within the Veterans Health Administration. See the full list on PCORI’s website.

OSF OnCall Digital Hospital patient: ‘I felt so connected and safe’

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 08:55:52 -0600

Most people would rather be in their own bed than in the unfamiliar surroundings of a hospital room and experiencing anxiety that can often come with a hospital stay.

OSF OnCall, the digital arm of OSF HealthCare, launched its Digital Hospital in August. At launch, eligible patients with certain conditions who end up in the Emergency Department at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria could be admitted to the OSF OnCall Digital Hospital where they receive hospital-level care in the comfort of their own home. Now, OSF OnCall is expanding this care to include patients who have been admitted to a larger variety of OSF Saint Francis inpatient departments, including those transitioning out of ICU, with more continuing to be added. Eligible patients must meet medical, geographic and insurance requirements.

Pam Anderson of Morton was eager to try the Digital Hospital program almost immediately. Anderson works a part-time job at a moving and storage business and lives with her retired husband, Mike. She has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and atrial fibrillation. The day after Thanksgiving, Anderson woke up and was having trouble catching her breath. Her oxygen level had fallen to about 80%. She was sent to the Emergency Department at OSF Saint Francis.

Once she was stabilized and admitted, the next day Anderson was approached about transferring into the Digital Hospital. She was immediately sold. By the time she returned home after discharge, a team had set up the equipment, technology and supplies she needed, including oxygen. An OSF OnCall Mission Partner (employee) walked her through using the equipment. Anderson, who describes herself as not computer literate, says everything was so easy to use.

Easy-to-use technology

“The phone … you don't dial it. You just pick it up and it rings directly to the (digital health) center. And once you do that, then somebody will appear on the iPad. So, if you do need something, you're actually speaking to someone (you can see). You're not just talking on the phone. And, they're extremely prompt in answering. So there really isn't, in my opinion, a lot of technology involved. Thank heavens,” Anderson says with a laugh.

Anderson never had to use that phone in the middle of the night, but she was comforted knowing she could and that she would be instantly connected. Patients also wear a bracelet with a button they can press to be connected immediately to a care team member. Readings Anderson took on her own from a blood pressure cuff or pulse oximeter went directly to caregivers and her electronic health record. Anderson says she felt, “completely connected and safe.”

Her schedule for the day appeared every morning on the tablet, which is provided to individuals admitted to the OSF OnCall Digital Hospital. She laughs about actually looking forward to the twice-daily visits from nurses who checked her medication, took vitals, and made sure she was on the road to recovery, all while smiling and sharing laughs.

“The nurses and aides are absolutely fabulous. They're friendly; they're well informed. They explain everything to you. Always cheerful. I mean I absolutely adored them. I missed them when they were no longer coming.”

Home-delivered meals

Like other patients who’ve been able to qualify for the at-home admission, Anderson says it was great to be home with her three dogs and husband and to have three meals a day delivered right to her door from the hospital kitchen.

“I found the food really good. So yeah, that really worked out nice also. My husband doesn't really know how to cook much. He tries but he's not very good at it. So that was absolutely ideal.”

Anderson says at-home hospital care is easier on family and friends because there’s no need to worry about navigating hospital parking or bad weather. She recalls her in-laws and friends casually stopping by for short visits because it was so easy. And then there’s the ability to sleep so much better – all wins for Anderson who is fully recovered and back at her part-time job.

“I think a lot of times with illness, your frame of mind also helps. And I think this just puts you in a more positive frame of mind and I think you recover sooner. You're more relaxed. You're not worried. ‘When am I going home? When am I going home?’ You're already there!,” Anderson says as she smiles widely.

OSF OnCall Digital Hospital also provides other clinical services typically delivered in a hospital such as physical, speech and occupational therapy and IV infusion services. It helps keep bed space available for those who need it most. That was a lesson reinforced during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic when hospitals were strained to capacity. Research reveals hospital-at-home programs also reduce hospital readmissions and can reduce care delivery costs by as much as 30%.

OSF OnCall leaders say the goal is to continue to increase the average daily Digital Hospital patient count at OSF Saint Francis, and then expand to other hospitals and medical centers in the OSF HealthCare Ministry.

Video clips with OSF OnCall Digital Hospital patient Pam Anderson of Morton

OSF OnCall Digital Hospital B-roll

Medicaid Innovation Collaborative hits first-year milestones to improve health and wellness in underserved populations

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 11:40:58 -0600

The Medicaid Innovation Collaborative (MIC) – a partnership between Peoria-based OSF HealthCare and four Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), celebrated its one-year anniversary by highlighting a long list of milestones achieved. MIC provides a variety of digital care services and personalized support for Illinois Medicaid patients through programs developed by OSF OnCall.

The state-funded, five-year initiative is designed to transform health care delivery to improve outcomes, decrease disparities and reduce costs using sustainable programs.

The FQHC partners in the program include Heartland Health Services (Peoria, Illinois), Chestnut Health Systems, Inc. (Bloomington, Illinois), Eagle View Community Health System, Inc. (Oquawka, Illinois), and Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness (Danville, Illinois).

To date, MIC has been able to stand up several programs to expand services by:

Providing pregnancy and postpartum support 24/7 to enrolled patients; featured on this Health Accelerated podcast.
Offering remote patient monitoring for chronic disease management including asthma, diabetes hypertension, COPD and heart failure.
In a collaboration with Illinois Central College, training OSF digitally-enabled health navigators to be embedded within communities across the state and FQHC community health workers; within their facilities and co-located in community-based organizations, including homeless shelters.
Expanding breast cancer screenings through digital outreach, making it easy for patients to schedule this important test
Extending health and wellness education with the goal of reducing chronic disease risks associated with diet and nutrition, exercise, unhealthy weight and smoking
Launching culturally sensitive, easy-to-use communication tools.
Developing a systematic approach to assessing social determinants of health and tracking data to prioritize patient outreach, optimize workflow and to identify which patients might fit into specific programs. Future work will integrate all information with a patient’s electronic record for providers to have a holistic view of their patients.

Jennifer Junis, senior vice president for OSF OnCall who also chairs the MIC Governance Council, says community health workers embedded in vulnerable communities also screen individuals for social service needs and they’re connected with local resources to provide support for food, transportation, child care and affordable housing, among other factors that contribute to improved health and wellness.

During a day-long session earlier this week, FQHC leaders and frontline employees reviewed progress toward goals outlined for the first year.

Chestnut Health Systems in Bloomington:

Began work on a building renovation and hiring for a new dental clinic that will serve Medicaid participants.
Collaborated with a local homelessness service provider/food pantry to organize and implement a Food Pharmacy. Providers at Chestnut screen patients for eligibility criteria and prescribe use of the food pharmacy services. The pharmacy provides fresh and healthy food options often worth hundreds of dollars.
The CHW program has solidified co-locations for staff at six partnering agencies.

Heartland Health Services in Peoria:

Built a new team within HHS and the framework to support digital care programs and to provide virtual primary care in homeless shelters.
Began building trust with leaders and residents of homeless shelters through food and clothing drives and providing COVID-19 rapid kits.
Hired a digital support manager and community health navigators who have also been trained on tele-diagnostic equipment that can be used to support virtual visits.

Aunt Martha's Health and Wellness in Danville:

Trained and hired community health workers.
Established monthly Healthy Behavior meetings at the YMCA and Public Library.
Educated more than 100 people in the community about resources and how to take control of their health.
Expanded training for CHWs on cultural diversity, domestic violence and sexual assault.

Eagle View Community Health System in Oquawka:

Deployed CHWs who are providing services in three locations in the community.
Implemented a new electronic health record system (Epic) that allows for better data collection and reporting on health outcomes.
Hired a new transportation van and hired a transportation director.

Junis says these efforts are designed to wrap a 24/7 digital safety net around patients that is available 365 days a year

“So if you have a question in the middle of the night, you don't have to go to an emergency department, or you don't know who to call. You can reach out to us and it's through text messaging or calls and we're available. So that's really the transformation piece. Is that we're not episodic but we're really meeting patients where they are and where they need us the most, at the times that they need us.”

The effort is expected to lower health care costs by keeping people out of the emergency department or the hospital, the most costly point of care. Savings can also be created by scaling the effort with telehealth providers overseeing care for many patients at a time.

MIC will continue into year two with goals of improving dental care for patients, providing virtual health to residents of homeless shelters, and enrolling new patients in existing MIC programs. Junis says it’s also about improving based on feedback.

“Year two is about optimization, and coordination and collaboration, and really continuing to work together to understand all of our different components of the holistic care of a patient and how we all play such a big role in that.”

Video Clips with Jennifer Junis, Senior Vice President for OSF OnCall Digital Health

Heath care isn’t just at the doctor’s office

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 16:25:32 -0600

You visit a health care provider for a minor ailment, and you leave with a plan to get better. It could be medication or changing habits, combined with follow-up appointments.

But the issues in the background don’t go away. You might say to yourself:

I don’t have a car or childcare. How am I going to get back for the important follow-up?
A gas station is the only place around me to get food. I can’t go for walks because it’s unsafe. How am I going to start living healthier?
I can’t afford a new mattress. What will stop my back from hurting in the morning?

These outside, non-medical factors are called social determinants of health. Health care providers everywhere are trained to ask people about them and link them with resources.

Lucas Edwards, PA, is a primary care provider at OSF HealthCare in Godfrey, Illinois. He sees social determinants of health come into play frequently.

“[Some] patients don’t have a car or someone they can depend on for consistent rides,” Edwards says. “They might have something that’s going on that’s medically urgent, and they can’t get to where they need to go. And so they put things off until it gets to the point where things get a little bit out of control.”

In those cases, people usually end up in the emergency department – nobody’s idea of a pleasant day and a more costly way to receive care.

To keep social determinants of health in mind, Edwards says to speak up when you make first contact with your provider’s office – whether that’s on the phone, checking in on a tablet at the front desk or with a medical assistant in an exam room. Tell the person about your circumstances and be willing to answer when asked about the same.

The provider will see you for what brought you there, of course. But they might also direct you to programs within the health system or in the community to help. For example:

An upcoming visit may be changed to virtual, an option that became more common during the pandemic.
You might be able to get care at a reduced cost.
You could be referred to a social worker.

Edwards also says a simple conversation may enlighten.

“Some patients may not have had the same access to education. They don’t understand that they have this wound on their leg, and if they don’t keep it clean, it can get worse,” Edwards says.

“The provider and the patient need to be on the same wavelength. They need to understand why I want them to do something,” Edwards adds.

There’s one last player in the social determinants of health world: the people responsible for a community’s infrastructure and other daily things we often take for granted.

For example, your doctor can treat an infection. But if you go home and drink the same contaminated water, you’re back to square one.

Or, things cost more at the grocery store than they used to.

“We work with patients who have financial constraints. They have a fixed income, and they can only spend X amount on some object,” Edwards explains. “You need to go to the grocery store and get your bare necessities. So a lot of times, their health care dollars they have budgeted get dwindled.”

“It takes a village,” to keep everyone healthy, Edwards adds.

OSF HealthCare is proactive on social determinants of health. An ongoing effort aims to have people coming to medical offices fill out a social determinants of health screen at least once a year, either through their online patient portal or on a tablet at the office. Among patients screened so far, around two-thirds identified a social need.

Learn more about social determinants of health on the World Health Organization website.

Interview clips

Previous coverage

OSF Newsroom stories on social determinants of health

OSF HealthCare blog: Caring for patients beyond the health care setting

OSF OnCall launches remote monitoring program for infants-toddlers with RSV

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 12:13:29 -0600

It’s the worst flu season in more than a decade. That, combined with an earlier and harsher season for another common virus RSV, has prompted OSF OnCall Digital Health to launch a no-cost, at-home monitoring program for RSV.

The collaborative effort with OSF clinical outpatient and hospital leaders will not only provide comfort and supportive care for patients and parents, it can also keep infants and toddlers out of the hospital. The remote patient monitoring (RPM) program is also in response to a state public health alert about a growing lack of pediatric ICU beds due to RSV.

RSV is the number one reason for hospitalization of children under age 1 in the United States. It can lead to bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs), especially in babies.

However, Mary Stapel, MD, lead physician for Community Care for OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center says RSV can often be managed at home.

“For the more common cold type symptoms, we can recommend conservative treatments at home: nasal saline with some suctioning, a cool mist humidifier you know, just kind of frequent, small feedings to optimize keeping that child hydrated.”

Clinical Digital Care Supervisor Rose Smith, MSN, BSN, RN, says OSF OnCall was able to implement its 24/7 digitally enabled, at-home monitoring program for RSV quickly, because of its experience with similar efforts to help patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart failure. In the first week of the RSV support program, more than 70 parents and caregivers have enrolled newborns and children up to age 5. Smith says they love it.

OSF OnCall providers and at-home caregivers use a software application that provides education or digital prompts to report relevant signs/symptoms over 10 days. Smith says upon enrollment, parents receive a care kit for at-home use from their provider following a visit or a digital community health worker can deliver one.

“We have a pulse oximeter to monitor oxygen levels and their heart rate and then we have a thermometer and then we also provide saline spray, and then a bulb syringe. A lot of parents, when their babies are born, they use them in the hospital, but they might not know that they can use them to help relieve any secretions especially before feeding their children.”

Smith adds, it’s also important to clear the nose before a nap or bedtime. Parents or guardians also receive step-by-step written instructions as well as a video demonstration for how to use what’s provided in the kit.

The OnCall RSV RPM program is for anyone in Illinois or Michigan. Patients must have a positive RSV test or an RSV diagnosis to qualify. Referrals can be made by providers in a hospital emergency department, OSF OnCall Urgent Care, OSF PromptCare, medical offices, or following hospital discharge.

Smith says parents who have a child in the program can request a video visit at any time. The nursing staff will also recommend a video visit if needed.

“If they think their child looks off, we just have another set of eyes. The providers will look at it (to see if they need higher level of care). Sometimes our nurses can tell the parents you know, ‘We think they need to be seen. Can we do a video visit just before you take your child out especially now that it's colder out?’ You know, we don't want them if they're having trouble breathing to go outside, but we really just focus on what works best to still get them the care that they need.”

Respiratory-related complaints made up half of all hospital emergency department visits at OSF in November, totaling 9,383 patients. Nearly 40% of those were infants and children.

At OSF HealthCare and across the country, there is concern that indoor holiday gatherings could accelerate the transmission of RSV, the flu and COVID-19, spreading hospitals and their staff thin. Some pediatric groups have been urging the federal government to declare a public health emergency in response to the surge in RSV and other respiratory illnesses. Dr. Stapel, says the three viruses have already impacted staffing across the country.

“It's not only a hard time with staffing already, but you add the holidays, you add illness, and so I think it's going to be a challenge and I think we're already doing this here, but I think preparing for what that surge, ongoing surge with staffing, and what surge capacity looks like … it's an important thing for every institution.”

If you suspect your child has symptoms of RSV that don’t appear life-threatening, you can reach out to your pediatrician or primary care provider.

Video clips with Dr. Mary Stapel, lead physician for Community Care for OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center

Video clips with nurse Rose Smith, Clinical Digital Care supervisor

B-roll for emote monitoring for infants-children with RSV

OSF HealthCare admits first patient to its Digital Hospital program

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 14:33:05 -0500

A year ago, 84-year-old Jim Stickelmaier of Metamora almost died from a series of heart attacks. His wife Karen, a former nurse, had to talk him into going to the emergency department at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. It was a close call but doctors were able to save him. In late July, Stickelmaier had another scary health threat. One morning, his breathing became so labored that he didn’t resist when Karen called an ambulance to rush him to the hospital.

Stickelmaier had COVID-19-related pneumonia. X-rays showed fluid on both sides of his lungs, a telltale sign of congestive heart failure. But, with treatment, Stickelmaier responded well and was quickly stabilized.

It turns out he was a perfect candidate for the new OSF OnCall Digital Hospital program that provides supportive hospital-level care, but at home. Stickelmaier was the first patient admitted to the recently launched program and he’s a believer.

“I had my own bed to be in. I have my easy chair to sit in. I have my wife and my daughter with me to keep me company and they didn't have to worry about driving through all the traffic. It was really a good deal.”

Paul Moots, MD, medical director of OSF OnCall Digital Hospital, says the program currently only involves select patients seen in the OSF Saint Francis Emergency Department (ED). Candidates have to be 18 or older, live within 30 minutes of the hospital and have Medicare as their insurer.

Dr. Moots explains patients will typically have conditions that might require a three or four day hospital stay, such as heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – nothing that would require a lot of medical interventions.

Think of it as a return to the house call – only with a lot more equipment and meal delivery. A special team outfitted Stickelmaier’s living room with portable oxygen (in case he needed it), a tablet for video calls and electronic bracelet he wore for safety and instant contact with his care team. There were also Bluetooth devices to monitor vital signs that sent data automatically into his electronic medical record.

Equipment is set up based on the patient’s unique needs. Dr. Moots says the standard set-up offers safety and comfort through constant connectivity.

“The patient will have a personal safety device that will allow them to contact the command center, even if they’re not able to reach the phone. We’ll have a back-up electricity device in their home and we’ll have internet connectivity provided by the digital hospital.”

Software at the OSF OnCall Digital Hospital command center in downtown Peoria can identify potential candidates so ED doctors at OSF Saint Francis don’t have to. Cassie Worrick, an advanced practice provider (APP) who helped screen Stickelmaier in the ED and cared for him at home, says she uses screening tools to evaluate a patient’s ability to manage the in-home care instructions, and to know whether they have some type of nearby support.

“They do not necessarily have to have someone living with them, absolutely not. Of course, we take into account if there’s any cognitive impairment and what that might look like. Mobility issues and what that might look like. But, it’s all on an individual basis and what makes sense.”

Before the program launched August 2, Digital Hospital operations and care teams were given a stress test of sorts during five weeks of training at Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center. Worrick says the effort simulated various scenarios using specially-trained actors filling in as patients.

“OSF has done a wonderful job, setting us up for different situations, knowing how to tackle everything, so that when we had our first patient, it was really smooth which, I think was from practicing all the ‘what ifs.’”

Each patient’s personalized schedule outlines days and times for in-home visits from the care team, such as a physical therapist, a nurse to deliver IV fluids and when needed, a night nurse to check on the patient. Worrick says APPs try to accommodate the patient’s lifestyle so, when possible, the care team schedules visits around a patient’s sleep schedule and favorite activities.

Karen Stickelmaier felt relieved not being entirely responsible for her husband’s care. Instead, OSF OnCall caregivers provided an IV and other medication, and they made sure Jim received breathing treatments as prescribed. The couple welcomed the frequent visits from his care team members who called before they came in-person and who made sure it was a good time for a virtual visit with the physician overseeing Jim’s care.

“I'm pleased to say that we had such a remarkable group of people that come in here and they were so happy. You know, and we were happy. We were looking forward to (sic) … if they said they were going to come at 2:30, they were out here changing into their, you know, everything (protective clothing). So they could come in here and we really enjoyed just having them here. They did a wonderful job.”

How hospital care at home began

The early work for the Digital Hospital program started as part of a Trailblazer challenge for OSF Mission Partners (employees) who researched more advanced home care as an idea to improve a patient’s experience and recovery. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and OSF Innovation used that research to quickly set up and scale a program to reduce the stress on hospital capacity and medical providers. It also allowed monitoring and treatment for people in their homes. In the first three months, OSF was among the few health systems in the country with a program that leveraged technology and cared for more than 100 patients without forcing them to seek treatment for COVID-19 at a medical clinic or hospital.

Suzanne Hinderliter, director of Digital Care Development for OSF OnCall, said that rapid rollout provided valuable insights.

“We learned a lot about taking care of patients in the home and how valuable it was to meet the patients in their home and give them care where they were, make them feel comfortable and safe and provide a really good experience, help them manage their care because in the end, these patients are going to need to manage themselves and manage their care and their chronic diseases and medications throughout the rest of their life. And so we're there to help make that possible in their home to ensure that we're decreasing any barriers that they have.”

Later in the pandemic, the federal government recognized the benefit of offering hospital-level care at home and designed regulations and reimbursement for the services provided under Medicare. OSF eventually paused its novice program to allow OSF Innovation to research and validate the best technology and support service providers such as Boston-based Medically Home – a leader in care-at-home programs. Innovation teams worked with OSF OnCall leaders to coordinate pharmacy needs, meal service and delivery, imaging and transportation, along with diagnostic tools and monitoring.

Looking to create a high-tech, high-touch effort, OSF designed a robust Digital Hospital initiative to meet or surpass new regulations and launched the reimagined program.

Hinderliter says telehealth leaders continue encouraging federal lawmakers to support legislation to ensure the program’s future. Meanwhile, OSF OnCall leaders continue planning to extend Digital Hospital care to other patients, including those recovering from surgery, as it also considers expanding a Digital Hospital program for other hospitals within the OSF Ministry.

“I think we've invested in this as a program moving forward and knowing that this is going to be valuable in the way of the future,” says Hinderliter. “We always have to be looking at the next thing and how can we make the care better for our patients? How can we take care of patients in a different way?”

Research shows patients recover faster, and there are fewer hospital re-admissions and hospital-acquired infections with Digital Hospital programs. Plus, its estimated hospitals can save up to 30% in costs, which could translate to lower bills for patients. At the very least, individuals who qualify can receive the same high-quality care and better sleep than in a hospital.

Jim Stickelmaier agrees and says being at home is the best medicine he could receive.

“I would say definitely try it. I think they’ll find out that it was a lot easier and a lot nicer to be at home than in the hospital.”

Jim and Karen Stickelmaier, the first Digital Hospital patient

Dr. Paul Moots, medical director of OSF OnCall Digital Hospital, Cassie Worrick, APP Digital Hospital, Suzanne Hinderliter, director of Digital Care Development for OSF OnCall

Digital Hospital B-roll

Community Health Worker training teaches high-touch, high-tech support for better health

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 08:42:56 -0500

Some experts have referred to trust as a social determinant of health – meaning a factor outside of a medical office that can influence as much as 80% of a person’s health and wellness. If someone doesn’t trust health information or their health care provider, they’re not likely to comply with what they need to do to be their best self.

Thus, the importance of Community Health Workers (CHWs). These community health care workers are local, trusted members with a close understanding of the community they serve. This trusting relationship enables the CHW to facilitate access to services by serving as a link between health and social services and community organizations.

OSF HealthCare, through an innovative partnership with East Peoria-based Illinois Central College (ICC), has created new training for the next generation of digitally-enabled CHWs. Many of the CHWs will soon begin working with federally-qualified health centers (FQHCs), under a Medicaid Innovation Collaborative (MIC) contract with the state of Illinois. MIC is aimed at improving health and wellness by providing underserved individuals with a personalized approach to coordinated care that leverages CHWs and digital tools to provide the right care, at the right time, using the right method that works for the individual and their family or caregivers.

Karlen Sandall, manager of the OSF OnCall Digital Health Worker program, says the training makes it clear that trust is critically important and that connecting individuals with community resources is one way of providing help beyond the clinic or hospital.

“It shows we’re caring about not only what’s bringing them into our health care center, but also what’s going on outside of that; how we can bridge those gaps and keep them healthy all the way around, I think really shows we want to build trust with them, and we want to align them with the resources that are going to keep them safe and healthy.”

Sandall says CHWs will be embedded in the communities they serve and will represent the diversity of those neighborhoods. Many in the first CHW class already served as Pandemic Health Workers which were developed during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to support individuals through digital tools to keep them connected to their care team and any resources they might need to keep them healthy and out of the hospital. Sandall says they’re passionate and most have already visited many community-based organizations (CBOs).

“To understand all of their offerings … to understand the funding because that changes a lot with CBOs. That’s something we learned with the pandemic and aligning individuals to resources so as they gather more expertise, they’re definitely going to be able to guide and support individuals from the community to the resources they need.”

Maura Lansing is one of those passionate, newly-trained CHWs who also worked to support individuals during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She says the training through ICC went beyond what she already knew through first-hand experience.

“We talked about and learned about how we could become community advocates and we could actually plan community events based around a health care issue, and all the different ways we could reach out to the community at large, as well as helping individual patients.”

Class uses specially-trained actors

Ann Willemsen-Dunlap of OSF Jump Simulation is a curriculum developer who designed the training to exceed core competencies identified but not yet finalized by the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health. Willemsen-Dunlap incorporated the use of Jump’s standardized participants (SPs) – trained actors - a unique aspect of the curriculum.

“They’re trained to do both coaching and give feedback to our community health worker learners and help shape the way they go forward and interact with clients later. Not many programs have this,” Willemsen-Dunlap explains.

The capstone project for the training included using an SP in a scenario with a man recently diagnosed with diabetes. Lansing used what she learned about motivational interviewing, which includes the OARS approach – open questions, affirmations, reflective listening and summary reflections. Lansing says every aspect helped build trust, and it was particularly impactful to acknowledge the recently-diagnosed man was trying to be the best grandparent by helping watch his grandchildren regularly.

“’I know that’s a lot of hard work. Can we possibly include a quick 10-minute walk each day with the grandchildren so that you don’t feel like you’re having to add exercise into your already busy schedule?’” Lansing says he felt heard and understood. “He seemed like, ‘Wow, she understands what I’m going through.’”

Willemsen-Dunlap says the digitally-equipped and trained CHWs will not only coordinate care with FQHCs and their provider partners, they’ll help by serving as additional eyes and ears for medical providers.

“When it comes to interacting with the clients and seeing what’s happening in their home or living environment … they can take that back to the provider and help the provider understand what might need to be tailored in some specific way to maximize treatment effectiveness.”

More advanced training will enable them to help individuals and families use digital tools that might be needed for education, remote monitoring, or even a virtual exam. They can also provide calming reassurance, especially at a stressful time during a pending or recent diagnosis.

“Having this neutral third party who’s able to manage the tech and be that intermediary and that calming, confident presence is going to be very important,” Willemsen-Dunlap stresses.

The next training session for becoming a certified digitally-enabled CHW starts July 11 through ICC. It includes 12 sessions of online instruction (Monday and Wednesday evenings) over the first six weeks, followed by a two-week internship for participants who do not have previous CHW experience.

Here is more information and an option to register.

Video Clips with Karlen Sandall, manger Digital Health Worker program, OSF OnCall

Video clips with Ann Willemsen-Dunlap, director of Educational Development, Jump Simulation and Education Center

Text reminders, Digital Health Workers reverse gap in breast cancer screening

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 12:01:50 -0500

Targeted text reminders and other interventions erased disparity in the rate of breast cancer screening between economically advantaged and disadvantaged patients, according to an OSF HealthCare study published in Population Health Management.

While screening has been shown to reduce breast cancer deaths, women who are economically disadvantaged are less likely to have breast cancer screening and more likely to die of the disease, often because the breast cancer isn’t detected until it reaches a more advanced stage. Mammography screening rates plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which only increased the disparity between economically advantaged and disadvantaged patients.

OSF HealthCare researchers analyzed the effectiveness of interventions created and supported by the OSF OnCall digital health team to reduce that disparity, with: text messages that included a link to schedule a mammogram and information about the importance of breast cancer screening; calls from a digitally-enabled community health worker (CHW) to help schedule mammograms and solve challenges such as transportation; and an invitation to a health fair offering on-site mammograms. Breast cancer screening rates more than doubled among Medicaid patients who received interventions.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend annual mammography for most women beginning at 40 and earlier for women at higher risk for breast cancer.

“Previous studies have found that similar interventions help increase the rate of breast cancer screening, but not whether they would reduce disparities among different populations,” said Jonathan A. Handler, MD, FACEP, FAMIA, senior author of the study and senior fellow, OSF Innovation at OSF HealthCare.

The study included more than 4,000 women in two groups: an economically disadvantaged group (those with Medicaid coverage), and an economically advantaged group (those with private commercial insurance). All were 41 or older, were aligned with an OSF primary care physician and appeared to be overdue for their mammogram – typically by two years or more. All with Medicaid were randomly assigned to one of three intervention arms and compared with a subset of commercially insured women randomized to receive no intervention

All in the Medicaid group received the first intervention (at least one text message reminder). The moderate intervention arm also received additional educational content, a reminder text after a mammogram was scheduled, and phone outreach by a CHW to answer questions, assist with scheduling a mammogram, and address other issues related to the screening. The third arm had all of those interventions, and also received an invitation to a health fair where attendees could participate in interactive educational activities, schedule a mammogram or receive a same-day mammogram at the health center after attending the event.

In the Medicaid group, the rate of mammogram screening more than doubled following the interventions, from 5.4% to 11% of eligible patients. Interventions targeted only to the Medicaid group reversed the disparity in screening rates. Before interventions, the Medicaid group had 2.6% lower breast cancer screening rate than those with private insurance. After the interventions, the Medicaid group’s screening rate was 3.7% higher than those with commercial insurance who had been randomly assigned to receive no intervention.

Medicaid covers mammograms

Researchers determined Medicaid participants who had moderate to maximum intervention had a significant improvement in screening rates. Many in this group were reluctant to get a mammogram because of the expense until learning from a CHW that appropriate screening is covered by Medicaid.

Screening rates also increased after intervention among privately-insured women who were assigned to intervention arms. Therefore, researchers said economically disadvantaged women might require more intense intervention than their economically advantaged counterparts, with private insurance, to close the disparity gap moving forward.

“The goal is equity in health outcomes, not always standardization of an intervention or what we think of as equality. So it’s vital to strategically implement interventions among patients who would most benefit,” said Sarah Stewart de Ramirez, MD, MPH, principal investigator of the study, medical director for Population Health Services at OSF HealthCare, and associate dean for Population Health Equity Innovation at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria. “For example, we found that simply providing interventions such as a text message equally to the entire patient population might actually widen that disparity, because economically advantaged patients have fewer hurdles to access care and therefore are more likely to be able to act on those reminders.”

Dr. de Ramirez added, “Ultimately, we hope to find an engagement approach that achieves equity while also improving screening rates for all women. It’s imperative that we continue to study new population based interventions so we can apply them with the same science as clinical interventions, and ensure our patient populations receive the highest level of care, wherever they are.”

The study was funded by the American Hospital Association’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.

Visit osfhealthcare/innovation to learn more about how OSF HealthCare is working to transform health care.

Sample of video message for education efforts

OSF OnCall hosts virtual job fair for Digital Hospital

Mon, 16 May 2022 12:12:00 -0500

Peoria, Illinois-based OSF HealthCare is hosting a virtual job fair to hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), registered nurses (RNs), advanced practice providers (APPs), and physicians for its OSF OnCall Digital Hospital. The “digital hospital at home” model provides hospital-level acute care services 24/7 with a combination of in-person care and a digital command center that provides coordination, navigation, and continuity of care throughout the patient’s journey.

The Virtual Career Fair for job openings is from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 19. Applicants must pre-register using this link: OSF HealthCare Digital Hospital Event (brazenconnect.com).

Those hired as an OSF Mission Partner (employee) will work at the OSF OnCall building at 330 SW Adams Street in downtown Peoria. The positions are unique in that they allow individuals to provide care virtually.

Manager of Digital Care Melissa Meier, MSN, RN says, “The OSF OnCall Digital Hospital is the perfect mix of both in-person care and 24/7 telehealth connectivity that allows patients to remain in the comfort of their own home.”

The online event will allow applicants to talk via phone, tablet or computer with a member of the OSF hiring team; providing an option that breaks through conventional barriers so those who are interested can immediately ask questions to learn if the position and OSF HealthCare is a good fit. The connection could lead to a longer encounter, with an opportunity to be hired on the spot, pending final review.

OSF HealthCare Newsroom

OSF HealthCare Launches OSF OnCall Primary Care On the Go to expand access in rural and underserved communities

B-roll

A vitamin D-lightful summer

Interview clips

OSF CompleteCare 55+ marks first year with growth and improved community health

Staying connected to consistent care

GLP1 medication management is available

Video clips with Carla Richardson

Video clips with Dr. Sandy Valino Stock

B-roll-OSF CompleteCare 55+

OSF OnCall Contact Center to receive Outstanding Contact Center Culture Award

High-Tech ‘Victoria’ prepares OSF for birth emergencies

Focusing on hemorrhage

Lifelike simulation of birthing experience

Video clips with Amy Mefford

Video Clips with Jake Wilson

B-roll-Victoria birthing manikin training

Top 10 OSF HealthCare digital health and innovation stories of 2025

Top 5 Digital Health stories of 2025

Top 5 OSF Innovation stories of 2025

Brrrrrrrrrrr!

Interview clips

Virtual urgent care could be your best bet for respiratory virus season

Kate Barth

OSF HealthCare offers another layer of monitoring for moms and babies

B-roll-OSF OnCall monitoring of Family Birthing Units

As COVID, Flu and RSV threaten again, OSF OnCall offers parents 24/7 help at home

Video clips with Dr. Mary Stapel and Rose Smith, RN

B-roll for RPM for pediatric viruses

Expanded ICU at OSF St. Joseph enhances critical care for the region

Jordan Sondag and Eunmee Shim

Hayley Aeschleman and Courtney Bier

B-roll for 25 bed ICU expansion, OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center

OSF HealthCare offers new approach to primary care on Chicago’s south side

Kathleen Kinsella and Kate Barth

Dr. Sandy Valino Stock

B-roll of OSF CompleteCare 55+ Clinic and Blessing

From hospital to home: A 24/7 lifeline for patients after discharge

Rose Smith

B-roll of OSF OnCall Post Hospital Discharge program

A check up on virtual nursing

Jennifer Croland and Brandi Clark

Nurses Dalton Havens, Heather Tomblin & Baluyut

B-roll Virtual Nursing update

Two OSF HealthCare leaders recognized nationally for transforming care

Fast-Tracking Hope: Rapid Access at the OSF Cancer Institute

Sarah Ince and Amanda Luczkowiak

B-roll for rapid intake at OSF Cancer Institute

Allergy relief: Know what works

Interview clips

At-home monitoring for babies with respiratory illness surpasses last season

Dr. Mary Stapel

Rose Smith

B-roll for OSF OnCall at-home pediatric respiratory monitoring

Increasing respiratory illnesses being seen by hospitals, health care providers

Video Interview Clips

Top 10 Digital Health and Innovation stories of 2024

Digital connection, coaching offers more support for people with diabetes

Beth Wharton

John Thurman

B-roll for OSF OnCall Advanced Care

OSF HealthCare offers My OSF app – one-stop option for all resources

Health economist: Connectivity and trust can expand telehealth

Video clips with Jane Sarasohn-Kahn

B-roll for digital health symposium

OSF OnCall to re-open OSF OnCall Urgent Care Clinic on Sheridan Road

Don't sweat it

Interview clips

Registration deadline approaching for OSF OnCall Digital Health symposium

Virtual breastfeeding support available through OSF OnCall

Video clips with Brianna Jochman

B-roll for virtual breastfeeding support

OSF HealthCare brings new OSF OnCall Urgent Care to Sycamore

B-Roll

OSF OnCall Senior Vice President Jennifer Junis named to American Telemedicine Association Leadership Council

Virtual urgent care might be your best option this summer

Video Clips of Kate Barth

B-roll of Virtual Urgent Care

‘Care was so personal’ says broadcaster, former state ag leader about OSF OnCall Digital Hospital