Two of the brightest ideas this spring at Texas Health Resources are being implemented by two bright leaders dedicated to using technology in innovative ways to increase access, improve care and support efficiencies. Brad Comstock and Mae Centeno are working together as the leaders of Virtual Care Delivery at Texas Health. Comstock serves as chief operating officer of Virtual Care, while Centeno, D.N.P., APRN, ACNS-BC, serves as chief nursing officer of Virtual Care.
“Brad and Mae bring a great combination of leadership experience, tenacity and excitement to leading us in such innovative work,” said Kathi Cox, Ambulatory & Virtual Channel chief operating officer. “They are providing vision and oversight for new capabilities that cross all channels within the organization.”
The expansion of virtual services fits into Texas Health’s Vision of partnering with consumers for a lifetime of health and well-being.
“For Texas Health to accelerate our growth and deliver innovative new consumer experiences, we must expand into new ways of caring for our community,” said Winjie Miao, chief operating officer, Texas Health Resources. “We’re creating options so that patients can access care in the right place for them, with a seamless, quality consumer experience delivered reliably across all of our channels.”
Putting virtual in high gear
Centeno and Comstock are focused on implementing two innovative ideas in 2022: introducing virtual patient companions and launching Texas Health Care at Home.
The virtual patient companions program is designed to help protect the safety of hospital patients at risk of falling while helping hospitals move resources to where they are most needed. The companions monitor multiple patients from the Medical Command Center at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas.
Centeno and Comstock are also developing Texas Health Care at Home, a new care model for delivering acute-level services to select patients in their homes. A command center staffed by hospitalists, advanced practice providers, nurses and service coordinators will support Care at Home patients. Patients will be rounded on virtually numerous times a day, and paramedics will visit patients multiple times a day as well. This program is expected to launch in late April.
“This innovative approach will allow patients who meet certain requirements to receive seamless care where and how they want it,” Centeno said. “Being at home, in your favorite recliner with family and pets close by, can help address the social and emotional components of healing. This model can also help our Hospital Channel manage capacity.”
Backgrounds in meeting consumer wants and needs
Centeno has long had an interest in bringing care into people’s homes.
“In my doctorate program, I took a hard look at what patients did when they left the hospital and how hospitals could better meet their needs at home,” she said.
Comstock brings an understanding of consumer wants and needs to his Virtual Care role.
“As a general manager of hotels in my work prior to joining Texas Health as well as with my experience opening Texas Health Alliance, I learned a lot about putting the consumer at the center,” he said.
Implementing Virtual Care Companions and Care at Home requires education and an openness to new ideas, which is a part of living Our Texas Health Promise. One of the new Our Texas Health Promise Behaviors states, “I promise to continually learn and improve and be open to new ideas.”
“Change can be challenging, but we are dedicated to helping everyone wrap their minds around these new models of care,” Comstock said. “It feels like we’re living in the future and delivering on our promises to consumers. I hope others are as excited as we are.”
If you’re interested in our virtual patient opportunities click here to learn more!
