The Vizient Vulnerability Index identifies nine social needs domains that become even more insightful when combined with patient outcomes data from Vizient’s Clinical Data Base?(CDB), a repository of patient outcomes data from more than 1,000 Vizient member hospitals that includes more than 88 million distinct patients of all ages and payer groups. When used together, hospitals gain a deeper understanding of the obstacles their patients face in accessing healthcare and how those obstacles uniquely impact patient outcomes.
“We not only have environmental data, but data surrounding social needs vulnerabilities such as access to housing, transportation, healthcare and education, and how these contribute to human health in different ways,” said Heather Blonsky, Vizient lead data scientist. “Many environmental hazards geographically exist where people don’t have a lot of choices.”
The connection between sustainability and community health has recently received increased attention due to the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which invested $369 billion in climate solutions and environmental justice. Vizient has long served as a leader in these areas as well. With roughly 80% of healthcare emissions stemming from the supply chain, Vizient has initiated programs such as Environmentally Preferred Sourcing, which offers the industry’s broadest, most cost-effective environmentally preferred portfolio with more than 450,000 contracted products. The recently launched Vizient Domestic Sourcing — dedicated to ensuring a resilient supply chain through increased domestic manufacturing — looks to offset global emissions by confining transportation of goods to U.S. borders. And in June, Vizient CEO Byron Jobe joined the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s pledge to decarbonize the healthcare sector and make healthcare facilities more resilient to the effects of climate change.
The Vizient Vulnerability Index is a perfect partner to Vizient’s continued focus on improving sustainability in healthcare. After all, providers aren’t just committed to healing patients but to ensuring the long-term health of the communities they serve.
“Healthcare institutions are essential contributors to their communities,” said Cristina Indiveri, Vizient AVP, strategic programs and contract services. “The Vizient Vulnerability Index is a game changer in the industry because it easily connects and illustrates how social drivers of health relate to health equity and sustainability by quantifying the impacts. This is crucial for healthcare organizations whose missions focus on creating healthy environments and improving overall health within their communities.”