The healthcare Information Systems Blog has a post that points readers to a rare healthcare provider turnaround success (case is Detroit Medical Center [DMC]) and highlights how problems can be solved by looking at things holistically (as opposed to thinking narrowly in terms of automation). From the post the author writes:

I'd be disingenuous if I didn't say that a healthy amount of cost-cutting, including layoffs, were involved in the DMC's turnaround. Still, you don't honor a 29-minute guarantee for ER services unless you've taken a long, hard look at what's actually going on in the emergency room and addressed shortcomings in the processes. Sometimes all that's required is simply automating what you have, but more often than not real improvement involves change, especially when you bring new technology to bear.

Although it's interesting to talk shop and tech when discussing support in healthcare provider environments, there's a whole soft side to working in these types of environments. As an example, because physicians play such a central role in the provider environments, this power and hub of focus creates a somewhat adverse environment for IT professionals to work in.

Where can peers in the healthcare provider space discuss topics surrounding information systems and technology. It turns out that HDI, the world's largest membership association for the service and support industry, is conducting quarterly Healthcare Forums. The next Forum occurs September 14-16.

Healthcare Forum events are limited 15-20 senior support executives within the healthcare sector. Topics at each Forum are decided by Forum participants.

Example benefits of the forums include:

• World-class presenters
• Focused and in-depth coverage of topics
• Motivation and challenge from peers
• Benchmark and best practice ideas
• Year-round personal executive advisory board and networking

Consider joining HDI today!

Steve Shu