A large Ohio hospice organization, renowned for its compassionate end-of-life care, has long served its communities with dedication. Operating multiple facilities across the state, its services include pain management, symptom control, emotional support, bereavement counseling, and spiritual guidance. However, as the demand for these critical services continues to grow, the organization faces new challenges brought on by rapid expansion. With increasing staffing needs, compliance requirements, and health program demands, technical debt and operational inefficiencies have emerged, affecting both internal processes and patient care. Departments like accounting, supply chain, nursing, and bereavement are each navigating unique hurdles.
Recognizing both the strengths and the untapped potential of the organization, Kent, its CEO, saw an opportunity to turn these challenges into a roadmap for transformation. Inspired by discussions with Mike, a fellow hospice CEO in California, Kent envisioned a bold future: one where the hospice not only addresses its internal inefficiencies but also pioneers a unified platform to empower smaller hospices across Ohio. This vision entails refining systems, integrating advanced applications, and enhancing operational efficiency to create a robust shared foundation—streamlining processes while improving care and compliance.
To realize this ambitious vision, Kent turned to Akurey, a Costa Rica-based IT firm known for its expertise in healthcare transformation. Akurey has begun collaborating closely with the hospice to map out every tool, system, and process, consulting stakeholders across departments to uncover scalability obstacles and opportunities for innovation.
As the starting point for this larger transformation, two pivotal projects have already been completed: a holistic care app designed to improve patient outcomes and a support tool for grieving families. These initiatives, developed in collaboration with Akurey, exemplify the organization’s commitment to innovation and patient-centered care. More importantly,they lay the groundwork for the broader plan—demonstrating what is possible as the hospice integrates new systems and builds a scalable platform for future growth.
Building on this foundation, Akurey is prioritizing critical upgrades, including robust data governance, secure repositories, HIPAA compliance, and a subscription-based service layer. These foundational improvements will ensure scalability, security, and seamless integration of future innovations.
With a clear vision, aligned priorities, and targeted investments, the hospice is poised to lead the way in AI-powered healthcare services. By creating a unified platform that strengthens its own operations while enabling smaller hospices to thrive, the organization is not just embracing transformation—it is setting a course to redefine end-of-life care in Ohio. Together with Akurey, the hospice is building a future where innovation and compassion go hand in hand, shaping the landscape of hospice care for years to come.
