It was my pleasure this morning to bring several nursing informatics professionals together on a webinar to exchange information regarding EHR Big Bang implementations. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all participants and wish them continued success in all endeavors.

The group discussed that the planning for a “big bang” implementation needs to start from the beginning of the project.  This means in the contract phase, not to say that another activation approach maybe used, but that if a big bang activation may be considered,plan immediately for the possibility.   Everyone in the organization and your IT partners need to understand that the “bar has been raised”.   Your implementation approach needs to define the activities and tasks that = a successful big bang activation.

Other points of discussion regarding staffing, standardization of the order catalog, “sign offs” , service level agreements, education on future workflows, parallel testing and future workflow confirmation to include processes like billing and clinical audits.  The big bang activation approach needs to creative and well defined.

The group requested a follow up webinar that will be held in about 30 days.

“If You Want to Start Doing Something New, Stop Doing Something Old”
                                              Peter Drucker

Recently, I was in a discussion with nurse executives where a health care enterprise was described as, “this organization is traditional”.  After we had closed the call,  I began to think about the meaning of the word “traditional” in context to what I was trying to accomplish in this organization and other with others.

I also began to wonder if we should actually be proud that health care organizations are “traditional”.   Traditions can be good, they can provide safety, a sense of security.  Traditions can also be inherited, established, or customary.  Traditional organizations often a characterized as “old school”, and non thinking outside of the box, set in old ways of doing things, and not open to new ideas that often can bring great benefit.

Tom Peters, in his book Talent, Develop It, Sell It, Be It-states command-and-control management “leadership” from on high… is obsolete.  New leadership draws on a new skill set-the hallmarks of which are improvisation and inspiration.  He then goes on to describe crucial guidelines for reinventing a business and transform the way we work.

I consider myself to be a change agent, or change artist, architect, or other catalyst for moving organizations forward with the use of information technology.  What does this mean in working within “traditional organizations” made up of  “traditional thinking”?   I believe it means that I have to be an even more effective communicator and strategist.

Another key question is what does it mean for the staff at the organizations that are consider themselves to be “traditional”?  Are these organizations even aware that others characterize them as “traditional”?  Is this a question that we should be asking on our organizational surveys?  Do you consider this organization? your department? your manager? to be “traditional” ?  Then why? Do you consider this positive or negative?

National Capital Healthcare Executives from the American College of Healthcare Executives recently published an article by Amy Walker entitled Women’s Executive Event Planned in their quarterly newsletter.

Are you struggling to identify changes that need to be made to optimize operational performance? We’re here to help!

HITECH Made Simple
Platinum Performance in Healthcare
Resources for Optimized Healthcare Delivery

In just 2 days your staff can increase their effectiveness in providing optimal healthcare services!

The Platinum Performance in Healthcare Series presents
How to Get Started, Make It Happen, and Make it Meaningful
Workflow Analysis and System Design to Promote Optimal Operational Performance Workshop

October 22-23, 2009

At the Reston Chamber of Commerce Offices
1763 Fountain Dr, Reston, VA 20190-3344

Offer your staff effective tools and critical thinking skills:

• effectively evaluate the current state, recommend improvements and a best practice future state.
• integrate workflow process and system design.
• identify obstacles, waste, source of issues, and needed changes.

Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Attendees who complete the class will receive 4 hours of virtual assessment related to organization workflow analysis and design. To receive this added benefit, you must register before Sept. 1, 2009.

Presenter:

Amy Walker, MS, RN, CPHQ, FACHE, NEA-BC – Ms. Walker combines her unique background of healthcare leadership, quality improvement, clinical expertise, and information technology to present practical and comprehensive guidance in the delivery of services.  Ms. Walker has extensive experience in workflow evaluation and requirements development to transform and enhance the clinical workflow processes to improve efficiency, resulting in increased patient safety and the quality of health care delivery.

Please call 703-760-4484 for more information.

Reston, Virginia, is conveniently located only 7 minutes from Dulles International Airport and 30 minutes from Washington, DC.

Special discounted accommodations are available at the Hyatt Regency Reston. For reservations visit reston.hyatt.com and use Group/Corporate # 27004.
Or call 1-800-233-1234 and ask for the Negotiated Reston Town Center rate.

First, welcome to the Optimize IT Consulting Blog.  As a way to get started let’s get to know one another.

One of the 2009 priorities for Optimize IT Consulting is to begin the process of aggregating the best clinical practices across healthcare organizations for the improvement of practice and patient outcomes.  My goal is simple, to provide information back to nursing leadership so that you will have a knowledge base of  information that is beneficial and current regarding clinical best practices.

If you are a member of VONE please use the link below to access the results of the clinical documentation survey result.

VONE Clinic Doc Survey Results

Optimize IT is pleased to announce the publication of Manage Accountability, Measure Success from ADVANCE for Health Information Executives magazine.
Read more…

Optimize IT Consulting is excited to announce the launch of our new blog. Here we will be talking about industry news, company news and upcoming events. We invite you to participate in the conversation with your comments and feedback. We look forward to conversing with you soon!