ABSTRACT
In discussions of U.S. healthcare reform, deep skepticism about the possibility of change prevails, both among those who challenge the desirability of such reform and those who desire it but regard it as impossible to achieve. Yet, in the face of this skepticism, there exist exciting examples of genuine eff orts to transform the health care system. For example, Dr. Th omas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control, identifi ed and targeted as priority for the agency’s action six “winnable battles” facing our nation today-health care infections, smoking, AIDS, obesity/ nutrition, teen pregnancy, and auto injuries-with “proven programs [that] can save lives and reduce harm” (Stobbe, 2010). Similarly, health systems are using innovation to transform the delivery of patient care. Mayo Clinic’s Center for Innovation is working to “transform the way health care is delivered and experienced by patients” (Mayo Clinic, 2010). Kaiser Permanente’s Health Care Innovation Center uses “elements of humancentered design to improve and innovate physical spaces, technologies and clinical operations” (Kaiser Permanente, 2010). Geisinger Clinic’s “care model innovations” (Paulus, Davis, & Steele, 2008) enhance the capacity to redesign models of care and thereby create health care value. Th ese vibrant examples provide important evidence that government and key
health systems are innovating to generate high quality and safe care, and that through these eff orts are creating value for patients, their families, and their communities.
