October 8-12 is National Health IT Week. A time when our industry highlights the impact of IT in transforming healthcare and advocates for needed changes. This year’s asks revolve around the opioid crisis, prescription drug monitoring, telehealth and integrated data structures. In recognition of NHIT Week, I asked several of[…]
Stepping Into an Interim Leadership Role
By Kirk Mahlen, Advisor When stepping into any Interim leadership role, it is sometimes necessary to deal with difficult employee morale issues. In some cases, the truth of the matter and the reason for your arrival as Interim cannot even be discussed with employees for any number of reasons. Fortunately, whatever[…]
Meaningful Communication – 10 Lessons from Life
It ’s not just words, grammar, language, and the medium that are critical to communicating important messages – it’s the process. Every aspect of our being involves communications. Our ability to communicate effectively creates connections that establish trust which builds a bond with benefits for all participants. Not always a[…]
Interim CIO: How to Optimize for a Successful Outcome
By Kirk Mahlen, Advisor To quote from a popular Farmers Insurance ad: “We know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two”. The reality associated with unplanned / unexpected CIO turnover is that, while there may be themes, the number of possible scenarios is infinite and I[…]
No More Excuses: It’s time to invest in yourself
I was fortunate to work with an excellent executive coach several years ago. He helped me gain new insight into who I am and how I lead. I am a much better leader as a result of our year-long work together. I periodically reconnect with him now to bounce around[…]
8 Tips for Telehealth Success
Telehealth or connected health as some call it, takes different forms depending on the provider organization and their strategy. The primary driver may be extending geographic reach by providing services to rural areas. Or it may be largely a focus on consumer engagement. Regardless, there are common themes for successful[…]
Selective Sourcing vs Complete Outsourcing in HIT
by Rich Pollack, Advisor Unlike many other industries, complete IT outsourcing in healthcare provider organizations is a fairly rare bird. There are reasons for this, technical, financial and cultural. On the other hand, selectively outsourcing defined and limited subcomponents of a healthcare IT department can be both a successful and[…]
Everyone Must Participate in Making Healthcare Secure!
I just returned from the CHIME and HIMSS events in Las Vegas. I’m recovering from the overstimulation both inside and outside the events. It’s always a treat to see old friends, make some new friends, and enjoy the smorgasbord of education and vendors. If chaos precedes innovation, then I’m happy[…]
The C-Double I-O
by Avery Cloud, Advisor Chief Innovation Information Officer—as far as I know, the title doesn’t exist, but maybe it should. Can the traditional Chief Information Officer also serve as the organization’s Innovation leader? To answer that question it is helpful to know the definition, purpose, and place of innovation in[…]
Look for Durability, Not Disruption, in HIT in 2018: Part 3
By Diane M. Carr, M.A., FHIMSS, Advisor As the health and information technology industries prepare to convene at the annual HIMSS conference in Las Vegas, the “interoperability experience” will be top of mind for many participants. Tens of thousands of individuals and companies who collect, access, analyze and exchange data[…]