CCH CEO Update Spring 2020 | Gillette, Wyoming

I recently attended the American Hospital Association's Rural Healthcare Conference and theme of the event was disruption. Healthcare is an industry like any other modern industry, in that there are always new and better ways to do things. However, every once in a while something comes along to totally disrupt the way things have always been done in that industry.

For instance, what was the last movie you rented from Blockbuster Video? That’s disruption. Streaming services like Netflix have come along and totally changed, or disrupted, the way consumers enjoy movies, sports, and other forms of video entertainment.

Healthcare is beginning to experience the impact of disruption from major technology firms like Apple, Amazon, and Google. These companies are intent on changing the delivery of healthcare, and with their success in most everything else they’ve done, there is no reason to believe they won’t be successful now.

So what is a small, rural healthcare organization like CCH to do? Our job is to stay alert to changes in our industry, stay nimble in our decision making, and stay true to our mission. For example, we are expanding some services into areas like telemedicine. We already monitor patients from their homes through our Home Health department, and have our Behavioral Health patients see providers through videoconferencing, but we are researching ways for you to see your CCH provider from the comfort of your home. We are in an evolving and challenging time in healthcare, but we will continue to serve our community by providing a lifetime of care with dedication, skill and compassion.

I am also excited about the Blue Cross Distinction designation for CCH. We are the only healthcare facility in Wyoming with this designation, and there is a good reason for that. It is a very difficult distinction within the Blue Cross organization to achieve clinically and from a cost perspective.

Finally, a word on the coronavirus (COVID-19). CCH prepares for emergencies on a regular basis, and we are prepared for the coronavirus. When faced with the potential of an increase in patients to our organization, we prepare by developing testing procedures for identifying suspected patients, ensuring there are adequate supplies to treat any confirmed patients, and developing a plan for any patients who would require hospitalization.

We are fortunate to live in a community where we work closely with our partners in Public Health, the school district and city and county government for a coordinated community response should it be needed.

Sincerely,

~ Andy Fitzgerald, CEO