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Mission
Vision
Unique Elements
Funding

 



Mission
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The Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering will catalyze the transformation of healthcare-delivery systems by applying the principles of engineering, management and science.

Vision
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...a healthcare delivery system capable of providing services to all in need commensurate with the prevailing level of clinical science and treatment.

...a transformed healthcare delivery system providing services that optimize quality, cost-effectiveness and access for all persons with need.

Unique Elements
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  • Catalyst for improvement. RCHE functions as a catalyst for researchers, policy makers and providers to improve the efficiency, quality, and accessibility of health care through research characterized by creativity and adaptability.
  • Systems-analysis approach. RCHE uses systems analysis to structure and study complex issues in healthcare, providing a basis to engineer new solutions in the delivery system.
  • Interdisciplinary research. RCHE adopts an interdisciplinary approach which includes all professions and disciplines involved in healthcare research.
  • Supply chain orientation. RCHE views healthcare delivery as the result of actions among interdependent parties; from raw inputs to services provided to those in need. The center adopts the supply chain model to describe the relationships among the interdependent parties at four levels: patient, care team, organization, and environment.
  • Recognition of diverse expectations. RCHE recognizes that individuals, families, groups, communities, populations and systems are beneficiaries of the healthcare system and represent different expectations and needs of the healthcare system.
  • Healthcare partnerships. RCHE Partners with representatives of major components of the supply chain as research collaborators and "living laboratories," providing sites for research, implementation of research findings, and assessment of relevance.
  • Commitment to results. RCHE evaluates whether research recommendations achieve sustainable and desirable operational results.
  • Knowledge dissemination. RCHE contributes to the body of knowledge pertaining to healthcare delivery and engineering by citing relevant reported research and publicly disseminating research findings through industry partners.
  • Discipline development. RCHE assumes an active role in the development of healthcare engineering as a discipline.

Funding
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regenstriefs
Sam and Myrtle Regenstrief

The Regenstrief Foundation was created by Sam and Myrtle Regenstrief in 1967 to promote the application of engineering and production concepts to healthcare delivery. Recognized as an authority on industrial production techniques, Sam Regenstrief believed that these concepts would provide better care at lower cost.

In 2003, the Regenstrief Foundation solicited proposals from several universities to develop a new research center that would translate research in engineering, science and management into recognizable, long-term transformation of healthcare. Purdue University was awarded financial support for three years to establish the Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering in January 2005. After three years, the Center is eligible for increased funding in perpetuity (with periodic review), provided that several metrics had been successfully met. These include strong connections with healthcare leaders to create a climate of change and sustain positive momentum in healthcare.

Additional financial support is provided by Purdue University and private and public grants and contributions.