Data quality is a big deal for healthcare organizations.  It is not just about FDA compliance or avoiding fines.  The quality of data has direct and indirect impacts on running the business, whether it's revenue cycle management, patient satisfaction, physician referral/referral-to-payment splits, fraud detection using claims data, etc. Healthcare organizations are increasingly investing in technology to improve the quality of data in their systems. In this article, we debunk some common myths and misconceptions about healthcare data quality and offer practical solutions for improving it.  

Implementing a new EHR is a huge undertaking with significant financial impacts. Healthcare organizations are spending millions of dollars to purchase an EHR system that will streamline patient care, improve paper-based documentation processes, and facilitate quality improvement efforts. Hospitals have invested a significant amount of time into researching software companies, comparing prices, evaluating key features and functionality, negotiating costs with vendors and insurance companies, etc.

Organizations today must contend with a new generation of applications that have become mainstream in healthcare. These applications are more complex than legacy systems, more dependent on internal and external resources, and expected to provide better patient care and outcomes while consuming less infrastructure, cost, and time. To succeed in meeting those expectations, organizations must make application management a priority by working closely with vendors and implementing best practices that enhance the value of their investments. 

The three keys to achieving success include: 

1. Application Management Services Outsourcing
2. Vendor Partnership  
3. Continuous Process Improvement 

In this article, you will learn how to take action in these three areas, so that you are aligned with best practices and driving tangible results for your organization.