Hackensack Meridian Health, Cadence partner to provide remote care delivery system to seniors – ROI-NJ

Strategic Partnership for Advanced Senior Healthcare: Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary: Fostering Innovation and Well-being

A strategic partnership has been formed between Hackensack Meridian Health and Cadence to establish a proactive remote care infrastructure for senior patients. This initiative directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by leveraging technology to enhance healthcare delivery, promote well-being, and build resilient infrastructure. The collaboration aims to extend patient care beyond traditional clinical settings, aligning with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Technological Framework for SDG 3 and SDG 9

The core of the initiative is a remote care delivery system that utilizes an AI-powered platform and connected devices, representing a significant advancement in healthcare infrastructure and innovation (SDG 9). This system is designed to improve health outcomes for seniors with chronic conditions, a key target of SDG 3.

• Data Collection: Patients use connected devices at home to monitor and transmit key health data.
• Monitored Vitals: Data includes blood pressure, weight, heart rate, and blood glucose.
• AI-Powered Analysis: Cadence’s Proactive Care Engine analyzes data in real-time, identifying potential health issues before they escalate.
• Proactive Intervention: The clinical team is alerted when intervention is necessary, enabling proactive care, medication management, and lifestyle guidance.

Impact on Healthcare Delivery and Inequality Reduction

This program redesigns healthcare delivery to be more efficient, accessible, and sustainable, thereby addressing SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by providing consistent care to seniors who may face mobility or access challenges. It also supports the well-being of healthcare professionals, a critical component of a sustainable health system under SDG 3.

• Extension of Clinical Practice: The system functions as a seamless extension of the clinician’s practice, with Cadence’s team managing daily monitoring and patient outreach.
• Reduced Clinician Burden: By filtering data through intelligent alerts, the platform reduces administrative tasks and helps prevent professional burnout.
• Focused Patient Care: Providers can concentrate their efforts on patients requiring immediate attention, optimizing the use of healthcare resources.

Quantifiable Outcomes and Contribution to Sustainable Communities

The partnership’s model has demonstrated measurable results that contribute directly to achieving SDG 3 targets and fostering sustainable communities (SDG 11) by enabling seniors to live healthier, more independent lives at home. The reported outcomes include:

1. A 70% relative increase in patients achieving guideline-recommended blood pressure goals.
2. A 230% increase in heart failure patients adhering to all four pillars of guideline-directed medical therapy.
3. An average annual savings of $1,300 per patient, enhancing the economic sustainability of the healthcare system.
4. A 27% lower hospitalization rate at 12 months post-enrollment, reducing the strain on hospital infrastructure.

Conclusion: A Scalable Model for Achieving the SDGs

The collaboration between Hackensack Meridian Health and Cadence exemplifies a powerful multi-stakeholder partnership (SDG 17) that advances global sustainability targets. By integrating intelligent technology with proactive care teams, this initiative creates a scalable and sustainable healthcare model. It not only improves patient health and supports clinicians but also provides a clear framework for leveraging innovation to achieve Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) for an aging population while building the resilient and inclusive infrastructure of the future (SDG 9 and SDG 11).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article highlights issues and solutions that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals. The primary focus on health innovation, technological infrastructure, and collaborative efforts links the content to the following SDGs:

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The entire initiative is centered on improving healthcare for seniors, managing chronic non-communicable diseases like hypertension and heart failure, and preventing health problems before they escalate.
   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The partnership builds a new infrastructure for healthcare delivery by leveraging innovative technologies such as an “AI-powered platform,” “connected devices,” and real-time data analysis to create a more efficient and proactive system.
   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article is fundamentally about a “strategic partnership” between a health network (Hackensack Meridian Health) and a technology company (Cadence) to achieve the shared goal of improving patient care.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the specific actions and outcomes described, the following SDG targets can be identified:

   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment. The program’s focus on remotely monitoring and managing chronic conditions such as “hypertension and heart failure” directly contributes to the prevention and treatment of NCDs.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection and access to quality essential health-care services. The program extends care “beyond clinic walls” to patients’ homes, increasing access to continuous, quality healthcare. The mention of “$1,300 average annual savings per patient” also relates to financial risk protection.
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors, and encourage innovation. The partnership’s use of an “AI-powered Proactive Care Engine” and “connected devices” represents a significant technological upgrade in the healthcare sector, fostering innovation in care delivery.
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships. The collaboration between Hackensack Meridian Health and Cadence is a clear example of a private-private partnership designed to leverage combined expertise for a social good—improving health outcomes.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

   • Indicators for Target 3.4:
     • A “27% lower hospitalization rate at 12 months post-enrollment” serves as a direct indicator of improved health outcomes and successful management of NCDs.
     • The “70% relative increase in patients achieving guideline-recommended blood pressure goals” is a specific measure of effective hypertension treatment.
     • A “230% increase in heart failure patients on all four pillars of guideline-directed medical therapy” indicates improved quality of care and treatment adherence for NCDs.
   • Indicators for Target 3.8:
     • The “$1,300 average annual savings per patient” is a financial indicator measuring progress towards more affordable healthcare.
     • The scale of the program, which is “already monitoring more than 1,000 patients,” indicates the level of access to this innovative healthcare service.
   • Indicators for Target 9.5:
     • The implementation and use of an “AI-powered platform” and “connected devices” to monitor vital signs like “blood pressure, weight, heart rate, and blood glucose” are indicators of technological adoption and innovation.
   • Indicators for Target 17.17:
     • The existence of the formal “strategic partnership” between Hackensack Meridian Health and Cadence is the primary indicator of a successful collaboration to achieve shared goals.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through prevention and treatment.	27% lower hospitalization rate. 70% relative increase in patients achieving blood pressure goals. 230% increase in heart failure patients on guideline-directed medical therapy.
   	3.8: Achieve universal health coverage and access to quality essential health-care services.	$1,300 average annual savings per patient. Program monitoring over 1,000 patients at home.
   SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure	9.5: Upgrade technological capabilities and encourage innovation.	Implementation of an AI-powered Proactive Care Engine. Use of connected devices for remote monitoring of vital signs.
   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	17.17: Encourage and promote effective public-private and civil society partnerships.	The formal strategic partnership between Hackensack Meridian Health and Cadence.

Source: roi-nj.com