In a recent article, there were some bold, but accurate, statements made in regard to the changes within the healthcare industry.

“IT leaders will be at the forefront of helping their organizations adjust the the changes in the healthcare industry.”

True and accurate. With the growing number of EHR users, the impact of the Affordable Care Act, transitioning to ICD-10 codes, new measure for Stage 2 meaningful use, and the day to day practice management needs, IT professional will have their hands full and minds in a whirlwind. As these and and many other initiatives unfold, there can be little doubt that IT professionals will play critical roles in ensuring long term success.

In a recent report, Best Practices in Strategic IT Management, the Information Technology Academy analyzed key considerations in creating a organization-wide strategic alignment:

• Coordinating Technology and Performance Improvement
• Positioning the Organization to Address Industry Needs
• Enhancing IT Security and Mitigating Risks
• Managing Syatem Access and Infrastructure

Coordinating Technology and Performance Improvement – Many healthcare organizations struggle with BIG DATA-they possess a wealth of complex information, but it is not clear how to make use of that data in ways that will achieve strategic objectives. Not only is information overload a challenge, but it is not always apparent to users what they need or how to use the data they have.

Positioning Organization to Address Industry Needs – Now that orgnizations have overcome the hurdle that Stage 1 meaningful use represented, leaders have shifted to new Stage 2 measures. One of the more challenging requirements is to provide a basis for patients to view, download, or transmit their health information. Given the wide variation in patients’ technological experience, this has proven to be no small task.

Enhancing IT Security and Mitigating Risks – Health IT leaders have always taken security and privacy seriously, but new rehulations have put organizational risk assessment practices under the microscope. HIPAA has long mandated that healthcare organizations implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect patient privacy. Meaningful use meausres require organizations to attest that they have conducted risk analysis and assessments in accordance with those same HIPAA obligations.

Managing System Access and Infrastructure – As healthcare organizations expand and acquire new IT applications, new infrastructure challenges may present themselves. The database, server, and storage resources that had once been suficient can quickly become obsolete given the rapid pace of change in the industry.

With all these changes and concerns that whiz by and around your head making you dizzy and exhausted, it is good to know that there is help. Medical Management Services specializes in assessments for IT solutions and developoing solutions that fit your organization. If you would like to speak with someone about your IT issues and concerns, please give us a call, fill out one of our forms on the website, or email us at info@medmgtservices.com.