In five to 10 years, a hospital room could look very different. Advocate Health is beginning to build that room of the future today. The concept integrates advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, virtual nursing and audio, video and sensor data for intelligent patient monitoring, creating an extra set of eyes and ears for care teams. Nurses and clinicians can respond more quickly and proactively, while patients receive real-time assistance. Virtual technology also allows family members to participate in care from outside the room.

Advocate Health is piloting the room of the future at two hospitals in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Fierce Healthcare got a firsthand look at the initiative. On site, Executive Editor Heather Landi spoke with Molly McColl, Advocate Health’s vice president of virtual health and clinical transformation, about how the tech-enabled hospital room supports care teams, improves the patient experience and expands access to care, particularly in rural communities.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
A conversation with Eugene Woods, the architect of 'Applied Hope'

In five to 10 years, a hospital room could look very different. Advocate Health is beginning to build that room of the future today. The concept integrates advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, virtual nursing and audio, video and sensor data for intelligent patient monitoring, creating an extra set of eyes and ears for care teams. Nurses and clinicians can respond more quickly and proactively, while patients receive real-time assistance. Virtual technology also allows family members to participate in care from outside the room.
Advocate Health is piloting the room of the future at two hospitals in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Fierce Healthcare got a firsthand look at the initiative. On site, Executive Editor Heather Landi spoke with Molly McColl, Advocate Health&rsquo;s vice president of virtual health and clinical transformation, about how the tech-enabled hospital room supports care teams, improves the patient experience and expands access to care, particularly in rural communities.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/hospitals/conversation-eugene-woods-architect-applied-hope">A conversation with Eugene Woods, the architect of 'Applied Hope'</a></li>
</ul>

Podnosis: the pulse of the healthcare industry. Every week, journalists from Fierce Healthcare dive into some of the industry’s biggest trends. We talk to the experts about what’s important now so you can prep for the future. Hear about all things healthcare, from physician practices to hospital chains and insurance giants—and those that mix all three—plus the tech they use, disruptors looking to compete and people moving the sector forward. Follow Podnosis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.

Podnosis: the pulse of the healthcare industry. Every week, journalists from Fierce Healthcare dive into some of the industry’s biggest trends. We talk to the experts about what’s important now so you can prep for the future. Hear about all things healthcare, from physician practices to hospital chains and insurance giants—and those that mix all three—plus the tech they use, disruptors looking to compete and people moving the sector forward. Follow Podnosis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.

Podnosis

Podnosis: the pulse of the healthcare industry. Every week, journalists from Fierce Healthcare dive into some of the industry’s biggest trends. We talk to the experts about what’s important now so you can prep for the future. Hear about all things healthcare, from physician practices to hospital chains and insurance giants—and those that mix all three—plus the tech they use, disruptors looking to compete and people moving the sector forward. Follow Podnosis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.

Inside Advocate Health’s ‘hospital room of the future’

Measurement-based care is increasingly referenced in conversations across the behavioral health industry. Providers recognize the value of patient-reported outcomes as a way to track progress.

Yet there are important considerations in doing measurement-based care well.

To understand what those are, Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with Two Chairs’ Chief Clinical Officer Colleen Marshall about the company’s approach to clinician training, its internal culture of measurement and the outcomes it has seen.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 


Employers can do more to track the efficacy of mental health benefits, study says
How tech, incentives could push measurement-based care in behavioral health
A closer look at the impact of measurement-based care in behavioral health

 

Measurement-based care is increasingly referenced in conversations across the behavioral health industry. Providers recognize the value of patient-reported outcomes as a way to track progress.
Yet there are important considerations in doing measurement-based care well.
To understand what those are, Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with Two Chairs&rsquo; Chief Clinical Officer Colleen Marshall about the company&rsquo;s approach to clinician training, its internal culture of measurement and the outcomes it has seen.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/employers-can-do-more-track-efficacy-mental-health-benefits-study-says">Employers can do more to track the efficacy of mental health benefits, study says</a>
</li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/2024-outlook-measurement-based-care-behavioral-health">How tech, incentives could push measurement-based care in behavioral health</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/closer-look-impact-measurement-based-care-behavioral-health">A closer look at the impact of measurement-based care in behavioral health</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

The building blocks behind measurement-based behavioral healthcare

Dermatology may not be a specialty traditionally associated with high costs, but that is changing, in part because of the rise of new biologic drugs. Specialty medications are rapidly driving up dermatology spending, with some estimates showing utilization growing more than 30% year over year, a pace that rivals other high-cost therapeutic areas.

Could strong health outcomes be achieved with a less expensive approach? Zest Health is a value-based dermatology startup that treats skin conditions as chronic diseases and aims to align care with long-term patient needs. The company emphasizes education, lifestyle changes and over-the-counter interventions, while using high-cost biologics more selectively when clinically appropriate.

To explore how dermatology arrived at this moment, and what a different model could look like, Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya sits down with Olivia Deitcher, founder and CEO of Zest Health.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Fueled by new launches, US drug prices poised to continue trending upward: Cowen report
Championing equity in skin of color dermatology

Dermatology may not be a specialty traditionally associated with high costs, but that is changing, in part because of the rise of new biologic drugs. Specialty medications are rapidly <a href="https://navitus.com/wp-content/uploads/Navitus_2024-Drug-Trend-Report-_Full-Report-6.pdf">driving up</a> dermatology spending, with some estimates showing utilization growing <a href="https://www.ajmc.com/view/specialty-drug-costs-drive-medicare-part-d-dermatology-expenditures">more than 30%</a> year over year, a pace that rivals other high-cost therapeutic areas.
Could strong health outcomes be achieved with a less expensive approach? Zest Health is a value-based dermatology startup that treats skin conditions as chronic diseases and aims to align care with long-term patient needs. The company emphasizes education, lifestyle changes and over-the-counter interventions, while using high-cost biologics more selectively when clinically appropriate.
To explore how dermatology arrived at this moment, and what a different model could look like, Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya sits down with Olivia Deitcher, founder and CEO of Zest Health.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/despite-anxiety-over-price-controls-us-drug-pricing-poised-continue-trending-upward-2025">Fueled by new launches, US drug prices poised to continue trending upward: Cowen report</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/championing-equity-skin-color-dermatology">Championing equity in skin of color dermatology</a></li>
</ul>

Bringing down costs in dermatology  

Dual-eligible members are often described as the most complex population in health care, and many health plans continue to struggle with how best to support them. In this sponsored episode of Podnosis, Darin Buxbaum, co-founder and CEO of Wider Circle, joins host Chris Hayden to discuss why traditional engagement and enrollment models frequently miss the mark.

Buxbaum explains how a lack of trust, fragmented Medicare and Medicaid alignment, and broker-driven approaches contribute to high churn and poor member experiences. He also outlines why community-based, peer-led engagement can be more effective, citing published research and real-world results that show stronger retention and lower inpatient utilization.

The conversation explores the growing urgency created by CMS rules requiring exclusively aligned enrollment and what those changes mean for Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care organizations. Health plan leaders will gain insight into how to stabilize members, prepare them for alignment and build trust-based relationships that support better care and stronger performance. Listen to the full interview to learn how community can become a strategic advantage.

Dual-eligible members are often described as the most complex population in health care, and many health plans continue to struggle with how best to support them. In this sponsored episode of Podnosis, Darin Buxbaum, co-founder and CEO of Wider Circle, joins host Chris Hayden to discuss why traditional engagement and enrollment models frequently miss the mark.
Buxbaum explains how a lack of trust, fragmented Medicare and Medicaid alignment, and broker-driven approaches contribute to high churn and poor member experiences. He also outlines why community-based, peer-led engagement can be more effective, citing published research and real-world results that show stronger retention and lower inpatient utilization.
The conversation explores the growing urgency created by CMS rules requiring exclusively aligned enrollment and what those changes mean for Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care organizations. Health plan leaders will gain insight into how to stabilize members, prepare them for alignment and build trust-based relationships that support better care and stronger performance. Listen to the full interview to learn how community can become a strategic advantage.

Wider Circle’s CEO shares how trust, alignment and peer support can improve outcomes for dual-eligible members.

Inside Advocate Health’s ‘hospital room of the future’

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