Pollack: Hospitals redefining the 'H' to continuously meet patient, community needs

Kicking off the AHA annual meeting’s Federal Forum, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack today told hospital and health system leaders that redefining the “H” can secure hospital’s critical role in public life and responds to the growing demands of managing chronic illnesses and consumerism. It also offers an opportunity to work more closely together to coordinate care, improve quality and safety and keep people healthier, he said. “We have the potential to provide continuous care like never before – from the first Facebook photo of a newborn swaddled in their maternity unit blanket – to end-of-life care that feels more like being surrounded and embraced by old friends,” he told AHA members. “Redefining the ‘H’ can bring us even closer to the communities and patients we serve. It is our opportunity to provide better care for more people in a way that ensures that every hospital – regardless of how you define it – can play a leadership role as the anchor for health care services in their communities.”