Service Line Networks to Help Strengthen Members’ Stronghold in the Market

New Vizient member networks are helping providers in ways like never before. And they've only just begun.

One of the benefits Vizient offers members is the opportunity to join a member network or a collaborative group where providers come together to tackle a variety of healthcare challenges they're facing. Now, the Vizient Performance Improvement team is developing three new specialty service line networks in cancer, cardiovascular and neurosciences.

"The goal here is really to enable enhanced performance and find new and innovative ways for our members to solve healthcare's most pressing problems," said Janet Schuerman, associate vice president, Performance Improvement.

Through the networks' unique approach of pairing Sg2's Market Intelligence with the Vizient Clinical Data Base, providers in these service line networks will have an unparalleled view of their service lines' upcoming challenges and new trends and determine at both a national and a local – down to the zip code! – level how to use those insights to enhance their performance.

As each network is formed, network members will work alongside Vizient and Sg2 subject matter experts to review pertinent data and co-create an analytic approach to inform strategy development, prioritize opportunities and create action steps for improvement. Both cancer and cardiovascular service line networks launched this year, with neurosciences slated for 2023. Here's an inside look at what's driving these new service lines:

Cancer

The cancer service line is growing faster than ever, facing increasing competition both locally and nationally, both in the inpatient and especially, outpatient, settings. Workforce constraints alongside new payment models, screening guidelines and advanced clinical therapeutics and technologies are a few of the factors driving the cancer service line.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular remains the largest specialty service line in both volume and dollars for most institutions, largely due to the nearly 50% of Americans who experience some form of cardiovascular disease. Rising patient acuity, clinical and technological advances and care redesign also are shaping current utilization for cardiovascular services, driving steady growth in outpatient services and a reversal in the decade-long historic trend of declining inpatient demand.

Neurosciences

With an increase in the number of neurological conditions and complexity, an aging population, new payment and policy updates and the ongoing challenges around workforce burnout, it's clear why the neurosciences specialty service line is top of mind. Launching in mid-2023, this network will help members find solutions to these increasing challenges and identify new opportunities like AI-enabled technology and new diagnostic and therapeutic advances like rapid EEG and new pharmacologic alternatives.

"With the many challenges health systems are currently facing around workforce, access, capacity, and quality assurance, the ability to incorporate cost, quality and market data into a comprehensive view that allows organizations to better utilize scarce resources can really make a difference, even in the near future," said Chad Giese, principal, Intelligence.

Feedback from providers on their strategic priorities played an integral part in the selection of these three service line networks. Each network is made up of Vizient members who are service line leaders and administrative executives. Vizient members with Sg2 Market Edge and the Clinical Data Base can join any of the three new service line networks. To learn more, contact Janet Schuerman at janet.schuerman@vizientinc.com.