Sphere3

I just enjoyed the X3 Summit in San Fransico. The learning and collaboration was great, and I look forward to engaging more with my new colleagues. From now on when you read the blog we will work in groups of 3 - this will keep the blogs concise and the information structured in a optimal learning paradigm - the power of 3.

Social Media
Having the conversation - is intimidating to say the least. Presenting your learning in a manner which readers can engage and interact with the findings puts the presenter in danger of "being wrong". I would object - that the conversation should not be able being wrong, especially when we are looking at healthcare. It must be about finding the best solution to our ever growing need. Having the conversation is about engagin new ideas, challenging the thinking of the norm, and establishing whether status quo is most effective or needs to be adjusted. In a world of Twitter, Facebook, and Blogs our thoughts are moved freely our abilities to assess are only limited by our abilities to tolerate the conversation. Long-Term -- Healthcare can be improved by these conversations but we must be prepared to move thoughts and words into action.

ROI
Many of the hospital learners were discussing ways to justify purchases based on a Return On Investment analysis and several good points were made. I must admit my view point was challenged as well. When assessesing ROI projections from vendors understanding their starting point is crucial. Each vendor has the ability to mold the ROI to their benefit based on small feature sets that differentiate their product. Establishing your goals associated with a return is crucial. It may be beneficial to engage a firm or team with outside perspective to help establish the correct principles.

You also need to assess - if we are reducing work in a process what is the person going to do with the additional time and how is that improving the overall picture. If you simply add technology to save time - you have to decide prior to implementation what the new found time will be used for - if not you won't see any global productivity changes.

Technology Infrastructure
I was enlightened to the world of "Healthcare IT Consultants" during this visit. It's a broad term that can be interperted in several ways. Some are focused on the low voltage aspects, while others are focused on the technology, and others are foucsed on the transition. While my initial perspective was - you don't need them just evaluate the products you are presented with associated with your needs. At the end of the conference - I am convinced that a technologist is needed during a construction process. As a former vendor, who didn't appreciate the consultant, I now see that they are extremely valuable in decreasing the hospitals overall costs associated with purchasing and making sure that the workflow dictates the technology - not the other way around.