I’d like to share an insightful article by Timothy R. Zoph, Senior VP and CIO at Northwestern Memorial HealthCare Chicago, entitled “IT Leadership: A Look Ahead.”
It is great to see healthcare executives start realizing the true value of technology. As Zoph puts it: “We are moving beyond task-oriented technology implementation, such as obtaining meaningful use incentives, and are beginning to realize the true value of technology in terms of measurable returns in productivity, cost, and patient outcomes.”
I could not agree more!
A great example of successful transition from task-oriented technology approach to outcomes-based approach is the use of Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) by healthcare organizations.
Not too long ago, when hospitals were thinking about deploying an RTLS solution, their main point of discussion was selecting the specific locating technology (e.g. “Should we use Wi-Fi or ZigBee?”).
Now, when we talk to healthcare executives about RTLS, they want to know how this technology will improve their patient flow, optimize capacity, increase asset utilization, reduce rentals, and improve their overall healthcare efficiency.
It’s extremely encouraging to see this transition, as this is exactly what our solution delivers.
By way of example, let’s talk about the classic use of RTLS to find your “stuff.”
If a healthcare organization is using RTLS solution merely to find their equipment faster (a “task-oriented approach”), such an organization would be missing out on the tremendous opportunity of RTLS to achieve transformational process improvements.
However, if the hospital is looking at RTLS technology from a value perspective (i.e., how much more time will nurses be able to spend at the patient bedside, how can equipment processes and inventories by optimized, how can capacity management be improved) the hospital can truly change the way they operate and achieve measurable hard-dollar cost savings—all while improving patient satisfaction and patient care.
We look forward to these exciting changes ahead as healthcare organizations fully adopt a value-driven technology approach.
Sincerely,
Marcus Ruark, Vice President
Intelligent InSites
