Phoenix Children's Hospital: Sharing Governance For Better Care

Phoenix Children's Hospital is a non-profit hospital that has been in operation for 40 years. It is one of the fastest-growing pediatric health systems in the United States, with a mission to advance hope, healing, and the best healthcare for children and their families. The hospital has a comprehensive range of services, including the largest pediatric program for neurological, behavioural, and mental health disorders in Arizona. Phoenix Children's Hospital also has a strong culture of trauma-informed care and has achieved Sanctuary Certification. The hospital's governance structure includes a Board of Managers that directs and supervises its business and affairs. Various committees, such as the Finance Committee and the Quality Committee, are responsible for specific areas like contract review and clinical performance improvement.

Phoenix Children's is a nonprofit hospital

Phoenix Children's is a non-profit hospital with a mission to advance hope, healing, and the best healthcare for children and their families. They aim to improve the health and quality of life of children with neurological, behavioural, and mental health issues. Phoenix Children's is committed to a culture of learning and offers a wide range of continuing medical education and resources that benefit providers and patients. They also have a Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD), which is the largest pediatric program of its kind in Arizona, and a top-rated Center for Heart Care.

The hospital relies on donations and volunteers to provide world-class healthcare to all children, regardless of their insurance status. They accept gifts of all amounts and types, including bequests, beneficiary designations, and non-cash gifts, which can provide tax advantages for donors. Phoenix Children's also partners with companies to raise funds and build relationships, and they encourage individuals to create their own fundraising events, such as bake sales or golf tournaments.

The Board of Managers oversees the business and affairs of the Phoenix Children's Care Network, with various committees handling specific responsibilities. The Finance Committee reviews contracts and manages vendor relationships and funds, while the Quality Committee establishes and monitors the network's quality agenda, intervening to improve clinical performance when necessary.

The hospital also has an in-hospital school and a gift shop, offering practical items and gifts for patients, caregivers, and families. Phoenix Children's is grateful for all the support that helps them provide lifesaving care and a sanctuary for laughter and childhood amidst medical challenges.

The Board of Managers supervises the Phoenix Children's Care Network

Phoenix Children's is one of the nation's fastest-growing and largest pediatric health systems. It comprises Phoenix Children's Hospital, with campuses in Thomas, East Valley, Avondale, and Arrowhead, four pediatric specialty and urgent care centers, 11 community pediatric practices, 20 outpatient clinics, two ambulatory surgery centers, and seven community service outpatient clinics throughout Arizona.

The Phoenix Children's Care Network (PCCN) is a physician-led, pediatric-focused clinically integrated network committed to delivering high-quality, coordinated, and cost-effective pediatric care. It includes over 1,200 pediatric providers, all dedicated to improving the quality of care for Arizona's children. The PCCN's development began in 2012 with the formation of a Physician Advisory Council (PAC) that included key stakeholders and physicians from Phoenix Children's Medical Group and independent pediatric practices in the greater Phoenix area. The PAC was tasked with evaluating organizational structures to position Phoenix Children's for success in the evolving healthcare environment.

The Board of Managers (BOM) plays a crucial role in supervising the Phoenix Children's Care Network. It takes all necessary actions to direct and oversee the business and affairs of the network. The BOM is supported by several committees, each with specific responsibilities. The Finance Committee, for example, reviews contracts between the PCCN and third parties, manages vendor relationships, and monitors financial and operational performance. The Quality Committee establishes and monitors the network's quality agenda, intervening to enhance clinical performance and address deviations from clinical protocols. Another committee, the Utilization Management and Network Committee, focuses on evaluating current and potential network practices, ensuring that their access, authorization, and utilization management standards align with network requirements and best practices.

The leadership team at Phoenix Children's Hospital includes individuals dedicated to making it the premier center for expert, family-centered pediatric care in the Southwest. The team includes professionals with diverse backgrounds, such as accounting/finance, information technology, and organizational management, ensuring a comprehensive approach to managing the hospital's operations and patient care.

The Finance Committee reviews third-party contracts

Phoenix Children's Hospital has a shared governance model that includes a Board of Managers and various committees, such as the Finance Committee, the Quality Committee, and the Utilization Management and Network Committee. The Finance Committee is responsible for reviewing contracts between Phoenix Children's Care Network and third parties, overseeing vendor relationships, and monitoring the flow of funds and operational performance. This includes reviewing contracts with third-party vendors that help manage the hospital's websites and ensure patient and visitor data privacy.

The Finance Committee plays a crucial role in ensuring the hospital's financial health and stability by reviewing these third-party contracts. They assess the financial implications of each contract, including costs, payment terms, and potential revenue impacts. By doing so, the committee helps the hospital make informed decisions about its financial commitments and ensure that funds are allocated efficiently and effectively.

Additionally, the committee's review process helps maintain the hospital's data security and privacy standards. They scrutinize contracts to ensure that any sharing of information with third parties complies with relevant laws and the hospital's own data privacy policies. This is especially critical when dealing with sensitive patient information, as the hospital prioritizes protecting its patients' personal and health-related data.

The Finance Committee's review of third-party contracts also extends to vendor relationships. They evaluate the performance of vendors, ensuring that they meet the hospital's standards and expectations. This includes assessing the quality of goods or services provided, timely delivery, and responsiveness to the hospital's needs. By overseeing vendor relationships, the committee helps maintain positive and productive relationships with external partners, which is essential for the smooth operation of the hospital.

Furthermore, the Finance Committee's role in reviewing third-party contracts allows them to identify opportunities for cost savings or more favourable terms. They may negotiate with vendors, leverage their buying power, or explore alternative options to secure the best value for the hospital. This aspect of their work helps to ensure that the hospital's resources are utilized efficiently, ultimately contributing to its overall financial health.

The Quality Committee intervenes to improve clinical performance

Phoenix Children's Hospital is a non-profit 501(c)(3) hospital that has been in operation for 40 years. It is one of the fastest-growing paediatric health systems in the United States, with a mission to advance hope, healing, and the best healthcare for children and their families. Phoenix Children's Hospital is committed to a culture of learning and offers a wide range of continuing medical education and resources that benefit providers and patients.

The hospital's governance structure includes a Board of Managers that oversees the business and affairs of the Phoenix Children's Care Network. The Quality Committee, as part of this structure, plays a crucial role in improving clinical performance. This committee is responsible for establishing and monitoring the network's quality agenda, ensuring that clinical protocols are followed, and intervening when necessary to enhance clinical performance.

The Quality Committee's interventions to improve clinical performance are comprehensive and proactive. They involve regular monitoring and evaluation of clinical practices, performance metrics, and patient outcomes. When deviations from clinical protocols or areas requiring improvement are identified, the committee takes prompt and targeted actions. These interventions can include implementing new policies, providing additional resources, conducting staff education and training programs, and collaborating with other departments or committees within the hospital to ensure a cohesive approach to patient care.

One example of the Quality Committee's intervention is the adoption of the Sanctuary Model, an evidence-based framework designed to create a trauma-informed organisation. The committee recognised the importance of integrating trauma-informed principles into the hospital's practices and supported the Inpatient Paediatric Psychiatry Unit in implementing this model. This intervention improved the care provided to patients experiencing trauma and emphasised the hospital's commitment to safety, emotional intelligence, and shared decision-making.

Additionally, the Quality Committee may collaborate with other committees, such as the Finance Committee, to secure the necessary resources for quality improvement initiatives. By intervening to improve clinical performance, the Quality Committee plays a vital role in ensuring that Phoenix Children's Hospital maintains its reputation for excellence and continues to provide world-class healthcare to children and their families. These interventions are a testament to the hospital's commitment to continuous improvement and patient-centred care.

Phoenix Children's offers a wide range of continuing medical education

Phoenix Children's Hospital is committed to a culture of learning and offers a wide range of continuing medical education and resources that benefit providers and patients alike. The hospital has been ranked among the nation's "Best Children's Hospitals" for the twelfth consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report.

The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD) at Phoenix Children's is the largest pediatric program in Arizona, offering comprehensive care for children with malignancies and blood diseases. The hospital also boasts one of the top pediatric cardiology programs in the country, delivering evidence-based, cutting-edge cardiac care for patients of all ages, from newborns to young adults.

The hospital's continuing medical education offerings cover a diverse range of topics, including:

• Pediatric Hospital Medicine, with a focus on hot topics and trends.
• Neurosurgical interventions and community-acquired intracranial infections.
• Supporting healthcare for youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities, with a specific focus on making SAFE Care a reality.
• Gaming Disorder and its implications.
• Pediatric Emergency and Trauma Care in the US Health System, including a historical perspective and future directions.
• Mitochondrial Diseases: An overview of clinical phenotypes and treatment options, presented by experts from Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, California.
• Pediatric Advanced Endoscopy, challenging the traditional approach.
• Pediatric Integrative Medicine, covering contemporary approaches and outcomes.
• Pediatric Point-of-Care Ultrasound, including updates on clinical use, research, and education.
• Pediatric neurology, with a focus on neuropsychological functioning and autism profiles in children with genetic syndromes.

These offerings demonstrate Phoenix Children's commitment to staying at the forefront of pediatric medicine and ensuring that its providers are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to benefit the patients and families they serve.

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