Workflow Ability - The Final in the Series!

Workflow Ability takes into account the product life (base ability) combined with the technology life (things we can’t live without) and balances it against the Optimal Workflow. It is determined by examining specific parameters such as staffing, unit layout, and technical acumen. Optimal workflow is not wholly determined by the technology that is in place, but does take that into account as a limiting or enabling item. Onceit is determined then the limitations of old technology can be balanced and married with the enhancements of the new utilizing a unifying technology.

So, for example, a cell phone allows a person to call while mobile. In its raw basic form – it’s clunky – you have to learn to dial one handed, hold a phone to your ear and drive. (Plus drink your latte, manage the kids, and change the radio station - not that I have ever done that.)

The iPhone is equipped with a unifying technology called Blue Tooth. If a person wants hands-free calling utilizing their iPhone then they need to upgrade their car to a 2010 model with Microsoft SYNC technology. SYNC provides voice command dialing and open voice communications over the cars speakers. (Like a Vocera Badge) However, to get SYNC you have to purchase a brand new 2010 Ford. OR you can utilize a different unifying technology which leverages the abilities of the iPhone in hands-free mode over the car speakers. Until you purchase the new car, you will still have to do the one hand dial, but at least you can set the phone in the cup holder and drive with your both hands on the wheel at 10 and 2.

Now apply this principle into the world of nurse call or other healthcare technology. Upgrading an entire nurse call system can be in excess of $5,000 per room. I will be the first to tell every caregiver – the new system will make your life easier and offers a number of flexibilities. However, it is better to decide workflow prior to purchase, decide if you can utilize existing systems with a unifying technology – then make the upgrade decisions.

While the capabilities of the new system will become a necessity ( I almost didn’t drive the other day because my front end collision warning was not working due to the snow even though I have driven without it for 15 years) leveraging existing platforms is a real possibility.

Stay Tuned for Our Next Blog post – Disruptive Technology and its Influence on Workflow - insights gained from our recent trip to Cerner.

Product Life, Technology Life, Workflow Ability - Part 3

Technology Life Decisions are more readily linked to the exciting features that differentiate the products one from another. Some might call them frivolities, some might see them as necessities. Either way they are items that enhance the base goal of the product.

Technology Life Decisions are difficult to make due to the ever changing nature of technology. The “lifespan” for many technology decisions for medical devices is shortened to 5-6 years (sometimes more or less depending on the flexibility of the platform that is being purchased). Hospitals may delay purchase to wait for the next model to be released. Road Mapped items become decision points and actual realities become less critical. Not to say that a product, software, or service that has a vision for the future is unimportant but reality is more critical than vaporware.

Interestingly, the technology life decision points – things that a manufacture or developer creates to differentiate their product - often become base product decisions. Think of power windows. 20 or fewer years ago wasn’t it suitable to have a crank and before that wasn’t it a luxury to have a crank? Power Windows are an enhancement, but because of the end users interest they have become the standard. The point is often the technological enhancements won’t be enhancements for long .

Early Nurse Call Light Systems consisted of one light and one tone. Now we have systems that have unlimited light and sequence capability through LED and unlimited tones by allowing for wave files to be uploaded. Eventually, this will not be a technological enhancement – it too will become the standard.

So how do we bridge the gap between the technological enhancements of the new products and the apparent short comings of previous products. We believe the answer lies in Unifying Technologies coupled with proper workflow design.

For example, in a car, Micosoft SYNC integration allows the information from your mobile phone to download into the car and allows for voice command and hands-free calling through voice command. While all base capability of making a phone call while mobile is available using just your mobile phone, SYNC increases the value of the vehicle by enhancing your experience with the phone.

SYNC’s value is enhanced because of a unifying technology called BlueTooth.
Similarly, all nurse call systems can notify a caregiver of a patient’s need with a light and a tone. However, some can integrate to wireless phones allowing the caregiver to be mobile while speaking to the patient. There is intrinsic value to the time savings that a hospital will find by integrating their nurse call system to the nurses wireless phones. According to our research, over 30 minutes per day per RN or more depending on the style in which the integration is made. However, prior to today all of that is only possible with a unifying technology called Middleware. Interestingly, this "feature" and ability developed by a vendor outside of nurse call is becoming part of nurse call systems. Eliminating the need for a "unifying technology" all together.

Stay Tuned for
Workflow Ability and how you can transition from one platform to the next more easily and over a longer term investment.

Technology Life, Economic Life, and Workflow Life

“What color do you want?” This is the first question I am asked when I go car shopping. (Yes, it does irritate me.) While I see that is an important decision for most people, do people really buy a car for it’s color?

Wouldn’t it be more effective to ask – “Why are you shopping for a car?” This should be the question of every vendor pushing a medical device to a hospital. "Why are you purchasing this product? Why now? What initatives are you trying to solve with this purchase?"

If you look at purchase decisions. Most will fall into one of two timelines or life-spans: Product Life and Technology Life. Product Life is the underlying practical reason for the purchase, and Technology life is the technological enhancements we "can't live without". We believe there is a third area for medical devices that can leverage existing platforms, blend their usage with new product platforms making transitions easier – we call it Workflow Ability.

Technology Life = 5-6 years vs Product Life = 10-12 years

Workflow Ability can extend the Technology Life 3-5 years balancing out the difference between Technology and Product Life. It allows for proper transition between platforms.

So how do we bridge the gap between the technological enhancements of new products and the apparent short comings of a previous investment?

Many hospitals will simply make a Capital Investment and change to the new platform, but is that really necessary? In these economic times is that really a practical decision?

We believe that the first two decision points (product and technology), while important in making a transitional question are lacking in their ability to allow the hospital to make a long-term transitional change. We believe that Workflow coupled with unifying technology can really increase the lifespan of existing platforms thus leverage the hospitals original investment.

This is a LONG post so I am breaking it up into sections.

Stay tuned for more on:

Product Life

Technology Life

Workflow Ability with Unifying Technology