Mission Control: 5 years of smarter, faster patient care

ORLANDO, Fla. — Five years after its launch, AdventHealth’s Mission Control continues to help hospitals across Central Florida manage patient care more efficiently—especially during emergencies like hurricanes, COVID-19 and hospital overcrowding.

The command center operates like a central hub, using real-time data and artificial intelligence to monitor capacity and patient flow across the health system. That includes keeping track of which hospitals have open beds, managing patient transfers and even helping reroute ambulances if an emergency room is full.

“We’ve built a system that helps patients get placed faster and more efficiently,” said Penny Porteous, executive director of Mission Control. “That’s had a direct impact on care.”

The center played a major role during the COVID-19 pandemic, coordinating resources and helping hospitals handle sudden surges in patients. It was also key during AdventHealth’s shift from Cerner to Epic, a major update to its electronic medical record system that helps staff better track patient histories, medications and lab results in one place.

“Our team ensured operations continued through both of those major events,” Porteous said. “We stayed focused and responsive under pressure.”

Mission Control also helps predict and prevent problems before they happen. By tracking trends, staff can anticipate which patients might need more help, which areas might face staffing shortages or when hospitals might hit capacity. That leads to fewer delays, shorter hospital stays and better outcomes overall.

The command center steps in during natural disasters too—providing updates, coordinating care and helping move patients when needed.

“This kind of coordination has saved lives and prevented major disruptions,” Porteous said.

One example of the team’s quick action came when a patient showed up at the wrong location for a time-sensitive procedure. A Mission Control coordinator worked with multiple hospitals to get the patient the urgent care they needed—earning a service award for going above and beyond.

Looking ahead, the team plans to build on its use of AI to further improve care and reduce risks, all while continuing to support hospital teams behind the scenes.

“As we grow, Mission Control will keep evolving to meet the needs of our patients and communities,” Porteous said.