How One Health System Is Transforming in Response to Covid-19

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Geisinger Health System formally initiated post-crisis planning just days into the pandemic, convening a steering group comprised of leaders from all parts of the organization. The organization realized that this critical work should be viewed and executed as a strategic and operational innovation initiative, not as a damage-mitigation exercise or with the focus solely on restoring revenues. They focused on four stages: 1) Return of non-urgent work, 2) Start of the “new normal,” 3) Post-crisis activity, expanding the “new normal,” and responding to potential second wave of Covid-19, and 4) Operational and economic recovery in a transformed system. The authors argue that, if we are able to transform our nation’s care delivery and payment systems in ways that fundamentally improve health care for our patients, providers, and communities, we will have found the silver lining of Covid-19.