There are key points to keep in mind during every step of the health IT process, from the decisions about software selection to sustained use.
Jim Green, CIO for Pekin (Ill.) Hospital and senior healthcare IT consultant with ICE Technologies:
• Selecting — Develop amnesia! Forget the industry news hype and evaluate solutions as they relate to your institution and mission. One size does NOT fit all. No one vendor today is right for all situations.
• Implementing — Take the "all in" approach. It is not an IT project! Let the stakeholders take the lead on planning, modifications, testing and training. You will be glad you did!
• Using — It's never "over"! Just as important as a smooth implementation is a smooth optimization. The job has just begun when a project converts to production. Reporting must be defined. Work flow processes must be adapted to the new product and the tool must become a tool — enhancing and enriching medical practice — not hindering it!
If you would like to share your health IT tips, insights, pointers or best practices, please email Max Green at mgreen@beckershealthcare.com to be featured in the "Health IT tip of the day" series.