Using Network Optimization to Reduce Outmigration, Improve Care Continuity, and Recapture Volume
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Authors
Zwiebel, Samantha
Department
Healthcare Administration
Issue Date
2025-12
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Hospitals; Regional medical programs; Clinics; Medical care; Integrated delivery of health care; Medical care--Contracting out; Medical care--United States--Quality control ,
Alternative Title
Abstract
This capstone project addresses the critical issue of patient referral outmigration at a community hospital, a phenomenon causing substantial revenue loss and fragmented care continuity, which jeopardized a necessary master campus expansion. The outmigration was driven by a high rate of referrals to non-aligned providers, specifically a 32% external outmigration rate and 25% of internal referrals channeled to Opt-In Unaligned providers. The project's core objective was to optimize the hospital's Opt-In Provider Network to strategically redirect patient referrals back into the affiliated system, thereby minimizing revenue outmigration and ensuring timely access to high-performing providers. The methodology utilized a quantitative, quasi-experimental approach, comparing a 12-month historical baseline with a subsequent 6-month post-intervention period, leveraging de-identified referral data from the hospital’s electronic medical record. The intervention involved implementing new referral protocols and a targeted educational initiative focused on Emergency Department and Urgent Care staff to promote the use of aligned, high-access Opt-In providers.
Keywords: outmigration, network optimization, referral patterns
Description
Fall 2025 Graduate Project/Thesis/Capstone in Healthcare Administration. Student ID redacted.
Citation
Publisher
License
A copyright review process in May 2026 has determined that this item is in copyright, held by the author, Samantha J. Zwiebel. The written permission of the copyright holder is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use that extends beyond what is authorized by fair use and other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions rests with person(s) desiring to use the item. http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/