Bill Childs, founder of the first healthcare information system back in the late 1960’s and current VP for Vitalize Consulting Solutions will be honored at HIMSS ‘11 as one of the 50-in-50 recipients, those salient contributors to the HIT industry during its first 50 years. From the span and breadth of his nearly half-century HIT experience, Bill offers ten topics that will buffet the industry. This blog will post two per weekday, finishing on February 22 when Bill and 49 others will be recognized for their dedication, motivation, innovation, and inspiration to the HIT industry.

So, without further ado, here are Bill’s initial two observations about issues affecting the HIT industry over the next little while.

1. A Need for Competent Certified Help

All provider organizations are in need of outstanding, competent help with consulting, building, and training for their systems. Unfortunately, several professional services enterprises entering the market do not possess the skill set or drive to get the job done. When you add together the need for competent analysts/consultants who understand workflow, the nuances associated with a specialty’s delivery methods, and the demand for quality optimization, the sum figuratively exceeds the number of resources that can truly help.

2. System Optimization/Process Improvement

The old saying “It ain’t over till the fat lady sings” has never been more true than when implementing today’s clinical/medical information systems. Indeed, I am sure that any implementation is never over. Simply put, in a continually changing environment nothing is ever finished. Responses from a recent survey distributed to CIO’s disclosed that at least 70% of an original implementation effort is required to maintain and optimize systems into the future. One conundrum associated with an initial implementation is that users dictate requirements without fully understanding the widespread impact of these requirements and the new systems, which are supposed to improve processes, save labor, improve quality and serve across multiple job disciplines and specialties. Add to this build dilemma that both interim and final design are established by committee, and a successful implementation may seem a wonder.

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