Our Work
The West Health Accelerator Focus Areas
The West Health Accelerator’s framework includes four interconnected focus areas that will work together to transform older adult care. These four focus areas bring together evidence-based practices, technology and team-based workflows into ready-to-implement packages that health systems can adopt and scale.
Each area of focus is built for scalability and works synergistically with the others to deliver measurable outcomes that advance high-quality care, helping to create a healthcare system that works better for everyone.
Older Adult Care Delivery
Older adults face unique health challenges that require thoughtful, tailored care. Addressing their needs in a way that honors each person’s priorities is essential to improving their overall well-being. The opportunity lies in seamlessly integrating these considerations into everyday care.
The Accelerator is integrating and automating older adult-specific care delivery into standard practice, ensuring that patient care is aligned to the 4Ms (mobility, medications, mentation, and “what matters most”). This area of focus addresses the unique vulnerabilities that older adults face, such as sleep hygiene, mobility and pain management. The Accelerator is creating a structured approach to integrating patient priorities into standard of care.
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Evidence-based care delivery pathways focused on the unique vulnerabilities of older adults
Structured guidance for care teams to consistently align clinical care with patient priorities
Educational resources to support clinicians in delivering personalized care
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Improving clinical outcomes by addressing individual vulnerabilities
Enhancing personalized care that respects patient values
Increasing patient satisfaction and engagement throughout their care
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Designed for easy adoption, older-adult care delivery fits seamlessly into existing clinical workflows. Its flexible structure allows health systems to scale implementation across departments and facilities. This area of focus can be tailored to meet individualized needs while staying true to evidence-based practices, making it a practical and sustainable solution for driving system-wide improvement.
Dashboards and Measurement
The Accelerator will feature enhanced age-specific dashboards and measurement tools to inform decision making, track performance and drive continuous improvement for older adult care. This will enable clinical teams to monitor care for targeted populations, identify gaps in care and take action in real time.
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Enhanced dashboards with filters for entity, unit, service line, provider, diagnosis, patient age and demographics
Integration of key quality metrics into daily operations
Real-time monitoring tools
Feedback loops that deliver actionable insights to clinical teams
System-wide tracking of implementation progress and outcome trends
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Identifies trends and gaps in care delivery for older adults
Allows clinical staff to act quickly on real-time quality data
Tailors improvement strategies to specific settings and populations
Supports continuous learning and accountability across the system
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Built on existing infrastructure, older-adult dashboards and measurements are designed for system-wide use and adaptability. They can be scaled across departments and facilities, making it easier for health systems to standardize quality metrics and support targeted improvement efforts.
EPIC Updates
The Accelerator will hardwire specific order sets and care plans for older adults directly into Epic, Mass General Brigham’s electronic health record system. These updates will be supported by communication and education to build staff awareness, engagement and knowledge.
This will streamline and automate manual processes, ensuring clinicians have easy access to evidence-based care plans at the point of care. With built-in decision support and reporting capabilities, Epic updates will help deliver a consistent, high-quality standard of care.
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Age-specific care pathways and geriatric order sets embedded directly in Epic
Integration of evidence-based best practices into Epic to automate processes and reduce variation
Clinical decision support tools to guide best practices
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Consistency of care for older adults
Reduction in clinical variation and inefficiencies
Adherence to evidence-based guidelines
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Because Epic is already in use nationwide across the healthcare system, Epic updates are designed for seamless adoption and long-term sustainability. The structure of these updates allows for continued expansion, updates and integration across departments, supporting the spread of high-quality care at scale.
West Health Champions Program
The West Health Champions program is an interdisciplinary education and leadership initiative designed to equip clinicians with the knowledge and tools to improve care for older adults. West Health Champions receive training in caring for older adults, quality improvement and change management, preparing them to lead grassroots improvements within their units.
By building expertise across professions and fostering a network of change agents, this program strengthens the capacity for driving lasting, system-wide transformation of healthcare for older adults.
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A one-year interdisciplinary training program
Curriculum covering geriatric care, quality improvement and change management
Hands-on quality improvement project work
Peer networking and mentorship
Ongoing support to translate learning into action
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Creates a distributed network of clinicians skilled in quality improvement and geriatrics
Elevates the visibility and value of age-appropriate care practices
Strengthens interprofessional collaboration and leadership
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The West Champions program is designed for replication and growth across departments, hospitals and roles. With a flexible, interdisciplinary model, the program fosters a sustainable movement of engaged leaders who continuously improve the care experiences of older adults. This ensures that transformation is lasting.