What Happened at Breakthroughs this Year

A record-breaking 4,500 healthcare industry representatives from hospitals, health systems, suppliers and other healthcare organizations attended Premier’s Breakthroughs Conference and Exhibition June 27-30 in Washington, DC. An event devoted to bringing people, ideas and innovation together to transform healthcare, Breakthroughs attendees spent the week re-thinking, re-imagining and re-inventing the way care is delivered.

The conference provided an environment that encouraged networking, innovation, learning and sharing. Insightful and stimulating speakers, including Randi Zuckerberg, Peyton Manning and Washington insiders Tom Daschle and Karl Rove, shared their viewpoints as keynotes during general sessions.

Premier members from hospitals and health systems led concurrent sessions where they shared insights and best practices across a variety of topics, including value-based care, drug shortages, employee engagement, cost reduction, data analysis and technology. And the exhibition floor featured more than 1,800 suppliers, offering a wide variety of industry-leading products, devices and services available to members through Premier contracts.

Premier CEO Susan DeVore told attendees that although it’s hard to predict the future of healthcare policy, the future of the healthcare system is pretty clear. “Consumers want convenience, information and affordability," she said.

Using an Australian group, Axis of Awesome, Susan played a video for the audience which catalogued 43 songs ranging from Lady Gaga to John Denver. Although the songs differed in genre and subject matter, they all relied on the same four chords. The chords were an analogy for the healthcare trends Premier established earlier in the year, which affect the healthcare industry as a whole.

Susan discussed the need to reduce drug prices, the move away from a fee-for-service payment system and the importance of physician alignment to succeed in a value-based care world. She also noted that there’s something besides the chords that memorable songs have in common: they move us, because music is about heart. And healthcare, at its core, is about heart as well. "As important as the data, devices and analytics are, it always comes back to the people that depend on us,” said Susan.

COO of Premier, Mike Alkire, echoed Susan using a live band to show the strength in collaboration, “As we work to deliver excellence, we get the best results when we come together. When we build on one another’s strengths. When we sing the same song. Whether that’s primary care physicians and specialists collaborating, connecting departments within a hospital, or sharing data that allows for new treatments. Our industry thrives when we work in harmony.”

Premier awards ceremonies recognized more than 160 members and suppliers that are making a difference in transforming healthcare. Premier’s annual Innovation Celebration showcased a range of next generation medical devices and products. In addition, Baystate Health was named the Premier Alliance Excellence Award winner and Mobile Care Chicago received the 25th Premier Cares Award. And Premier’s Foodservice members enjoyed some tasty treats, as well as a cooking contest that even The Washington Post attended.

Nearing the end of the conference, Premier took attendees out for a Night at the Museum for more networking festivities. It was truly a night to remember!

Thank you to everyone that joined us this year. For more on what happened at Breakthroughs, scroll the #Breakthroughs17 feed on Twitter.

Planning has already begun for Breakthroughs 2018. It will be June 19-22, 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee. We hope you can join us!