Consumable

Many of you who have read my blog for a while would read that title and think – here she goes again talking about food…not this time.  This time I am talking about the consumable nature of mobile technology used in the healthcare environment.   This post will focus mainly on hand held devices – in alarm notification that’s code for wireless phones.   I have heard them called all sorts of creative things – “workflow enablement tools” “mobile caregiver communication platforms” – all of which boils down to…. a wireless phone.   

Don’t get me wrong I was selling these innovative pieces of technology…..before the birth of #2.  (who turns 9 this week) While I recognize that platforms have changed (WiFi etc) – has the end user functionality really improved?  When a color screen is an “improvement” worth changing out all the handsets it’s kind of a sad statement for these little plastic wonders.

 I have been working in the medical device alarm and alert area of Health IT for many years (you might think I started working in grade school based on the number). I have noticed, wireless phones are becoming disposables….like gloves or needles…. (the sales tactics are certainly with that mindset) One of my hospitals has been offered 3 upgrades to their handsets from their single vendor…..when that happened all of the handsets (phones) needed to be traded in.   I heard that some EMR companies are wrapping it into the sale of their product….which just makes me scratch my head….and frankly should make any investor scratch their head as well.  Is that revenue worth the effort (because it’s surely not the margins)…..is it just a move to be more sticky in the client…..is it worth it?

When my clients ask me about the workflow of these plastic wonders, I quote one of my favorite CMIO  “It’s like fine tuning a model T, my friend.”  Really it’s time for better evaluation of end points, and if your hospital is still buying, replacing or upgrading your wireless phones….it’s time to rethink your strategy, ask yourself: 

·         Why am I buying a device that is as disposable as gloves?

·         Do I supplement our current wireless phone with other devices such as Ipads, Itouch, or other tablets (for those of you who have been able to keep away from the I-monopoly…..) could I combine it for more impact?

·         In the ever shifting reimbursement world – is a little plastic phone worth our time?  What’s the value vs return – could I attain more value with a different strategy?

·         If I have a lot of these devices…ie I was ahead of the curve 9 years ago – how do I phase them out to new devices?

·         Should I be evaluating the BYOD strategy for my hospital?

The point here is – hospitals are tired of disposable expensive technology that gives them Model T level experience?  They need to identify vendors that have the same mindset – how do we move to a modern “workflow enablement tool”?

The Fire Sale

 If you have been listening in the last 2 weeks you know the nurse call industry is in a flutter….to say the least. A price war has ensued with what appeared to be slashing like I haven’t experienced prior. My phone has been ringing a lot…..a lot is kind of an understatement. I would think that it’s a competitive thing but in actuality it may be a fire sale which has caused a ripple effect throughout the industry.

 

A few months ago I wrote about GE being acquired by Ascom. Call me crazy but when a manufacture of telecom handsets purchases a nurse call system then cuts the price significantly does it signal more than just we want to take market share? To call their pricing strategy “creative” would also be an understatement.  I am not suggesting "trouble" by any means - I am suggesting a strategic change in approach to market AND possibility that a new nurse call - one which lines up closer to their UNITE product may be in the works.  Possibly there is a need to make some sales to secure the client and move them to a new platform when it's released.   

To remain competitive it appears that the other others are indeed re-evaluating their strategies – essentially relying on the value in their hardware to secure their place.   In my opinion (humble as it may be) Nurse Call has spent the last 3 years trying to prove their overreaching “workflow” value in the market place only to play the games of a contractor today.   I am not trying to pick on GE by any means - they are just making the biggest change.

So what does this mean? Is it a signal in the market place of the devaluation of nurse call? Remids me of the blog I wrote a few years ago about Electronic Life, Technology Life and Workflow Ability. (I wrote a little algorithm to help hospitals understand this by answering a few questions and scoring the results per unit – helps phase installs – if you are planning an upgrade - give us a call.)

I don't think it's a devaluation - I believe the shift has started in redefining Nurse Call to a more patient centric cloud based product.

Stay Tuned - I will post some tips for hospitals making the decision on new nurse call.

Sphere3® Introduces Trackit!™

Mismanagement of Assets utilization can cost hospital’s millions each year.

Sphere3®, the industry leader in medical device alarm and alert analytics and hospital alignment of medical device strategy, has partnered with TriVestige Consulting to provide Trackit!™ consulting services for RTLS selection, asset management, utilization, and staff workload.

Trackit!™ employs the core principles Sphere3 has used to help hospitals leverage existing technology, plan for new, and identify how to manage the data associated with the purchase. This vendor agnostic approach to market provides greater insight for hospitals in both the selection and application of best of bread products, and best practices processes.

"Our partnership with TriVestige brings cross industry expertise to our growing client base. Our focus is making the patient stay better. Providing the things they need in a timely manner not only improves patient perception but enhances their ability to heal faster. There are great products out there in both the software and hardware - our job is to make the process easier for the hospital" CEO, Kourtney Govro

TriVestige consulting has depth of knowledge into best practices in the distribution and logistics industry. Their expertise is in process optimization, automation, software, and robotics. They provide better throughput results, reduce staff workload, and decrease spending, resulting in millions saved.

"TriVestige is focused on building solid content with replicable processes and enhanced delivery of existing services. We are excited to bring these proven techniques to the healthcare market."

Contact us info@sphere3consulting.com