Constructing a dedicated, fully aligned team of both tech and revenue cycle leaders is crucial to spearheading a digital transformation of revenue cycle operations, according to Spectrum Health's Amy Assenmacher and Jason Joseph.
Ms. Assenmacher, senior vice president of revenue cycle for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based integrated health system, and Mr. Joseph, Spectrum's senior vice president and CIO, gave a keynote address Oct. 11 at the Becker's Hospital Review Health IT + RCM conference in Chicago.
They listed six of the most important factors of digital transformation. Building a strong, department-spanning team was at the core of several of those factors. "Creating one team out of multiple teams was a big part of this. We co-located them and gave them the problems to solve together," Mr. Joseph said. "That was a huge turning point, just applying some new ways of working between our teams."
Ms. Assenmacher added, "Make sure you're keeping a pulse on your teams, because that ultimately is going to drive the outcomes that you desire. If you can't get the teams to come together, stay engaged, stay positive and feel valued, it's going to be a really tough lift."
Here are the six critical success factors they listed:
- Have a burning platform
- Establish IS and revenue cycle leadership alignment
- Communicate clarifying objectives
- Create a dedicated team on both sides working toward the same goal
- Keep momentum and celebrate milestones
- Leverage consulting for best practices