Kaiser Permanente and Johns Hopkins Medicine have announced plans to strengthen their collaboration by focusing on research and evidence-based care, according to an announcement.
The two plan to share patient data from electronic medical records and develop better models for delivering care.
"This is a commitment for these two organizations to work on tangible projects related to quality, affordability and service," Kim Horn, president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, told the Washington Business Journal.
Kaiser comes to the table as both payer and provider known for using data to manage population health, while Johns Hopkins is known for academic research and clinical work.
Among their aims:
- To use EHRs to share information and develop best practices
- To explore and use technology to deliver personalized care
- To improve the patient experience and treatment outcomes while reducing costs
The two have been working together on various projects for more than 15 years, notably at Hopkins' Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. Kaiser does not have its own hospitals in the area, according to the Journal.
Earlier this year, Kaiser Permanente announced plans to spend $7 million to build a data network aimed at improving cancer, obesity and heart diseases outcomes. The network-- known as The Kaiser Permanente & Strategic Partners Patient Outcomes Research To Advance Learning, or PORTAL--is one of 29 projects funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. The planned PCORI "network of networks" will focus on integrating patient data to improve comparative effectiveness research.
Technology and patient-centered research could be key for building a case for the cost-effectiveness of prevention efforts in healthcare, according to a recent viewpoint in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
To learn more:
- read the announcement
- read the Washington Business Journal article