Whether it’s retrofitting hospitals or building new ones, digital transformation is fundamentally about improving the patient experience.
According to HIMSS Media research, digital transformation is a top priority for healthcare professionals, but thus far fewer than 10 percent have executed a full digital strategy.
In the article 5 Steps to Digital Transformation for Healthcare, digital transformation is described as a five-step process.
First, you want to start with a baseline. This means looking at what you already have in place, including existing legacy systems. It’s not about the EHR either. Evaluate what’s working well and what could be improved.
Second, you need to conduct a needs assessment. Once you get clinical, IT and facilities on the same page, the next step is to involve the design team in prioritizing each department’s wish list within the budget. Then nail down the metrics, such as ROI, HCAHPS scores, staff and patient safety satisfaction, among others. After that, determine how to use technology to achieve those key performance indicators.
Third, you need to build out the technology and process roadmap. This begins by working with the design team on tech and process mapping to determine what you can solve with a process, what really needs a new technology or, more likely than not, will require a combination of the two. Then it’s time to move forward with an integrated delivery methodology.
Fourth, execute and deliver. It’s critical to mind your details, keep the project on track and move all the way toward your initial vision, ensure KPIs are being met, and make sure no one is operating in a vacuum or undertaking any unilateral decision making.
And lastly, ensure ongoing holistic services and support. The first phase is integration testing because if something breaks, particularly in the first two weeks, it’s more likely to be the integration than the technology.
Read the full article here.
Source: HealthcareITNews
