Value-Based Care Insights New Episode NOW On-Demand
Emergency departments are under more pressure than ever as they are facing overcrowding, extended wait times, workforce strain, and rising patient demand fueled in part by primary care shortages. In this episode of Value-Based Care Insights, host Daniel Marino examines how these mounting challenges are reshaping the hospital’s front door and what they mean for patient care, operational performance, and long-term sustainability.
Daniel is joined by Dr. Richard Wolfe, associate professor of Emergency Medicine Harvard Medical School and a nationally recognized leader in emergency medicine operations. Together, they explore why emergency departments have become a critical pressure point for hospitals, how overcrowding affects quality, safety, and clinician burnout, and what forward-thinking health systems can do to better support their emergency medicine teams while continuing to serve their communities effectively.
Key Takeaways:
- Health systems must address declining primary care access and rising patient demand by redesigning care pathways, improving triage models, and strengthening community partnerships to reduce avoidable emergency department volume.
- Supporting physicians, nurses, and support staff through workforce optimization, improved throughput strategies, and operational innovation is essential to protecting patient safety, care quality, and team resilience.
- Forward thinking organizations are treating the emergency department as a strategic asset, aligning emergency medicine leadership, capacity management, and system wide flow initiatives to improve admissions management, financial performance, and long-term sustainability.
About The Show
Value-Based Care Insights is a radio show on Healthcare NOW Radio, that explores how to optimize the performance of programs to meet the demands of an increasing value-based care payment environment. It is hosted by Dan Marino (@DjmarinoHD) and highlights recognized experts in the field and within Lumina Health Partners (@LuminaHP).
Tune in weekdays at 5:00am, 1:00pm and 9:00pm ET.
Follow the Social Hashtag at #VBCInsights.