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National Health IT Week (NHIT Week) offers some important reminders of how state-of-the-art technology and exceptional healthcare go hand in hand.
The event takes place in September and focuses on driving change in healthcare through the application of information and technology. Useful healthcare IT (HIT) tips and best practices are delivered all week through a series of virtual conferences, webinars, and other events led by national healthcare stakeholders.
Founded by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and the Institute for e-Policy in 2006, the organizers of NHIT Week realized more than a decade ago that despite the incredible advancements in healthcare information technology, new challenges would inevitably pop up. That’s why it’s important to collaborate with, encourage, and share success stories with healthcare providers and industry experts across the HIT landscape.
The notion of continuous improvement is at the heart of why hospitals and healthcare systems of all sizes should optimize improvements in HIT. But this long-term, big-picture perspective isn’t always top-of-mind for hospital leaders and managers. How so? Between managing the day-to-day complexities and inherent challenges of operating any health system, it’s easy to neglect any issue that doesn’t require an immediate response or action plan.
Still, the reality is that—in most cases—a hospital’s team of physicians, nurses, administrators and lab techs can only be as effective as the healthcare IT they use. Embracing a culture of technology to drive operational success and improve patient care has and will continue to be a business imperative for hospitals and healthcare systems.
Consider that HIT investments in the U.S. reached an all-time high in 2018, totaling an incredible $8.6 billion. For context, U.S. HIT investment a mere five years earlier totaled $2.8 billion.
The fact is that a provider’s ability to promote healthy communities and provide exceptional and efficient care is largely dependent on the HIT available to them. An effective HIT solution should allow hospital staff to focus on their core duties without worrying or being weighed down by technology hiccups or patient data issues.
Mt. San Rafael Hospital in Trinidad, Colorado, is a prime example of a small, rural critical access health facility that understands the transformative power of HIT. By approaching technology as more than a line item cost, this 25-bed hospital is a testament to the dramatic effect strategic HIT investments can have on improving overall facility operations and patient care in the short- and long-term.
Nowadays promoting healthy communities and providing life-saving care is, in many ways, dependent on a willingness to invest in technology.
How has sophisticated HIT helped your healthcare organization? What challenges have you encountered? Do you have a success story you’d like to share?
To learn more about how HIT can drive lasting value and superior care in your healthcare organization or hospital, email us at inquiries@medhost.com or call 1.800.383.6278 to speak with one of our specialists.
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