US Acute Care Solutions Acquires MIDEO: A Video-Based Advance Care Directive Platform

Press Release
Nov 7, 2022
CANTON, Ohio, November 7, 2022—US Acute Care Solutions (USACS) has acquired MIDEO, My Informed Decision on VidEO, a video based advance care planning platform that provides individuals with the ability to visually and verbally communicate their wishes in any medical circumstance.
MIDEO, a patented patient safety solution, was developed based off research from The Realistic Interpretation of Advance Directives (TRIAD) which was conducted by founder and CEO, Ferdinando Mirarchi, DO. Through his research and work as an emergency medicine physician, Dr. Mirarchi discovered a persistent nationwide patient safety risk present in various scenarios including those with living wills, physician orders for life sustaining treatment, and those who are critically ill. This is where his idea of incorporating video into the framework of care came into action.
Individuals utilizing MIDEO have two options available to complete their profile. They may either elect to use the self-service option, which provides step-by-step clinical decision tools, or they may elect to work with a clinician through the clinician led consult where they undergo a full medical evaluation and review of potential scenarios in which important medical decisions must be made. Together, the patient and clinician create a clear, short, and customized script that conveys the individual’s unique desires regarding medical treatment and intervention. This script is then recorded and saved in video format, empowering the patient to accurately describe their wishes utilizing proper medical terminology. Not only does this provide explicit clarity regarding patient desires in times of medical intervention, but it also equips future clinicians with an easily accessible and understood explanation of those wishes, especially in times of medical emergencies when there is no room to guess.
After learning about MIDEO, USACS Executive Chairman, Dominic Bagnoli, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, knew the platform was invaluable to not only incorporate into the innovation strategies being explored by USACS, but also to deploy as a resource for all USACS employees.
“We are continually striving to enhance patient safety in our operations, and MIDEO is a resource at the forefront of those endeavors,” said Dr. Bagnoli. “The value we see in this resource is something we are very much looking forward to sharing at no cost with our 6,000+ employees.”
As the MIDEO platform is incorporated into USACS offerings, the goal will be to increase the visibility of the resource throughout the network and expand the technological capabilities of the programming.
“I am thrilled to be joining forces with the USACS team to propel the MIDEO platform forward and into the hands of even more patients nationwide,” said Dr. Mirarchi. “My goal in creating MIDEO was to give patients the ability to clearly and effectively communicate their wishes so that clinicians and families could avoid facing the decision paralysis that often arises in medical situations. In return, families and clinicians can then focus on providing the right care at the right time, whether that be through aggressive life-saving care or through the provision of resources to support end of life care, the focus remains on providing the appropriate medical interventions.”
Amer Aldeen, MD, FACEP, chief medical officer of USACS, is also looking forward to bringing the MIDEO platform into the USACS offerings as patient safety is a top priority in his role.
“It has been shown there is an 80% rate of misinterpretation of living wills and DNR documentation,” noted Dr. Aldeen. “We are optimistic we can decrease this rate significantly while ensuring a higher level of patient safety through the deployment of leading technological advances such as MIDEO.”
About USACS
Founded by emergency medicine and inpatient physicians across the country, USACS is solely owned by its physicians and hospital system partners. The group is a national leader in integrated acute care, including emergency medicine, hospitalist and critical care services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately nine million patients annually across more than 500 programs and is aligned with many of the leading health systems in the country. Visit usacs.com for more.
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Media Contact
Marty Richmond
Corporate Communications Department
US Acute Care Solutions
330.493.4443 x1406
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Press Release
Jul 20, 2023
Houston Methodist Selects US Acute Care Solutions as System-Wide Provider of Emergency Medicine Services
Houston Methodist Selects US Acute Care Solutions as System-Wide Provider of Emergency Medicine Services CANTON, Ohio, July 20, 2023 – Effective July 19, 2023, US Acute Care Solutions (USACS), the nation’s largest physician-owned and led acute care practice, has been named the exclusive provider of emergency medicine services across the renowned Houston Methodist system. Locations include: Houston Methodist Hospital Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Houston Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center – Cinco Ranch Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center – Cypress Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center – Kirby Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center – Voss Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center – Pearland Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center – Sienna Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center – Spring Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center – The Woodlands Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center – Magnolia Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center – League City Houston Methodist Emergency Care Center – Deer Park With a reputation for delivering high-quality, patient-centered care, Houston Methodist has been named the number one hospital system in Texas and one of the premier systems in the United States consistently for many years. USACS is honored to partner with Houston Methodist in this significant capacity. Under the agreement, the physicians and advanced practice clinicians (APCs) currently caring for patients in the emergency departments of Houston Methodist will remain in their roles, and all full-time physicians will be offered the opportunity to become equity owners of USACS. This continuity of care will ensure patients maintain access to their trusted clinical team, while empowering the system’s physicians to secure their long-term future as physician-owners. Dr. Matt Patlovany, President and Chief Clinical Officer of USACS, commented on the opportunity to serve the Houston Methodist system, stating, "As a native Texan, I am acutely aware of the prestige and importance of Houston Methodist within our state. I am incredibly excited to lead this talented team of physicians and APCs in providing exceptional emergency medicine services to patients across the system. Our physician-owned and led approach puts patients at the forefront of every decision we make, and our focus will be on delivering compassionate, evidence-based care to ensure the best possible outcomes for every patient who walks through our doors." "We are pleased to partner with USACS as the provider of emergency medicine services for our entire system. We continue to provide the high-quality service to our patients and community and believe this collaboration will enhance our emergency department services, and further strengthening our ability to deliver exceptional care to our patients,” said Wayne Voss, CEO, Houston Methodist West Hospitaland executive sponsor of the hospital system’s emergency department council. Dominic J. Bagnoli, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, Executive Chair of the USACS Board of Directors said, “USACS was formed to bring the best groups in the country together to form a perpetual physician-owned organization in acute care services. We are focused on partnering with the best health systems in the country – Houston Methodist and the clinicians in the system are perfect partners in our long-term strategic vision.” USACS brings a wealth of expertise and resources to Houston Methodist, including advanced clinical protocols, innovative technology solutions, and a commitment to continuous quality improvement. This partnership will enhance the emergency medicine services provided throughout the Houston Methodist system, ensuring patients receive timely and effective care when they need it most. About USACS Founded by emergency medicine and inpatient physicians across the country, USACS is solely owned by its physicians and hospital system partners. The group is a national leader in integrated acute care, including emergency medicine, hospitalist, and critical care services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately ten million patients annually across more than 500 programs and is aligned with many of the leading health systems in the country. Visit usacs.com for more. About Houston Methodist Houston Methodist is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers. The health system consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the Texas Medical Center, six community hospitals and one long-term acute care hospital throughout the Greater Houston metropolitan area. Houston Methodist also includes a research institute; a comprehensive residency program; international patient services; freestanding comprehensive care, emergency care and imaging centers; and outpatient facilities. Houston Methodist employs approximately 30,000 people and had more than 1.9 million outpatient visits and more than 138,000 admissions in 2022. U.S. News World Report has named Houston Methodist Hospital the Best Hospital in Texas for 11 years in a row. Houston Methodist is the No. 1 hospital in Texas and No. 15 in the nation. For more information about Houston Methodist, visit houstonmethodist.org. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and On Health. ### Media Contact Marty Richmond Corporate Communications Department US Acute Care Solutions 330.493.4443 x1406 [email protected]
Press Release
Jun 23, 2023

US Acute Care Solutions Names Dr. Amit Kalaria a Regional Vice President of its Northeast Division
CANTON, Ohio, June 23, 2023 –Effective July 1, 2023, US Acute Care Solutions (USACS) has named Amit Kalaria, MD, a Regional Vice President of its Northeast Division. Dr. Kalaria has held several leadership positions throughout his 17 years with USACS, most recently overseeing 14 service lines as the System Medical Director of Integrated Acute Care Services at Adventist Healthcare. As Regional Vice President, he will lead and support, both clinically and administratively, the teams and leaders of Adventist Healthcare, Meritus, and UPMC Western Maryland. “Dr. Kalaria’s peers have recognized him as a strong, decisive leader and appreciate his clear and concise approach to problem solving,” said Martin Brown, MD, FACEP, President of USACS’ Northeast Division. “He is an accomplished physician leader, and I am excited to have him join our division in this elevated capacity.” “I am honored to step into this new role,” shared Dr. Kalaria. “I look forward to working with our exceptional team of physicians, APPs, and support staff to continue providing high-quality, patient-centered care to our communities.” Dr. Kalaria is a board-certified physician leader with a track record of spearheading successful initiatives to improve the quality of care delivered across multiple service lines. He is an active member of several committees, serving as President’s Council Board Member for Adventist Healthcare, and was the physician member of both the Quality and Patient Safety Committee and the Utilization Management Committee at Western Maryland Health Systems. He also served as a member of the USACS Regional Clinical Governance Board. Dr. Kalaria earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan and received his medical degree from Michigan State University. He completed his emergency medicine residency at Northwestern University where he served as Chief Resident. About USACS Founded by emergency medicine and hospitalist physicians across the country, USACS is solely owned by its physicians and hospital system partners. The group is a national leader in integrated acute care, including emergency medicine, hospitalist and critical care services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately nine million patients annually across more than 500 programs and is aligned with many of the leading health systems in the country. Visit usacs.com for more. ###