As healthcare IT systems continue to get more complex, it is becoming increasingly important for them to be implemented and maintained by trained project management professionals. As the use of technology helps reduce costs and improve the quality of care, it can also create challenges related to reduced service delivery timeframes and increased regulatory compliance pressures. The ability to manage such a complex environment is what can make or break the success of these projects.

It's no longer news that the healthcare industry has adopted technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to its advantage. Organizations are always trying to improve quality, reduce costs and ensure patients have quick access to care. One major technology in use is the Internet of Things (IoT). This technology involves the collection and analysis of data from various sources for business management, personalization, and practical purposes. With IoT being used more frequently, organizations should understand how they can leverage on this technology to maintain high standards when it comes to patient care.

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.

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing the way healthcare is done. There are already some Artificial Intelligence-based solutions in preventive medicine and patient monitoring. They can provide individuals with health information, and even suggest changes to lifestyle habits, all through a chatbot, SMS, or by using voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Apple's Siri.  The tech is already being used to help detect skin cancer and even treat Parkinson's disease. 

Even hospitals are looking at AI to improve patient care delivery, such as Clinical Decision Support Program (CDS). It provides clinicians with recommendations for diagnosis and treatment options, which could potentially reduce the occurrence of medical mistakes. There are also Artificial Intelligence-based solutions for Electronic Medical Records (EMR) management, such as IBM's Watson Health. 

Some experts believe that Artificial Intelligence will streamline clinical workflows, improve efficiency, and reduce costs within healthcare. The adoption of AI in the industry is already underway with many hospitals either actively using or planning to implement this technology. 

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.

Healthcare organizations today face the challenge of adopting and implementing a healthcare information technology (IT) project that is expected to deliver clinical and financial benefits. However, navigating this journey can be difficult without the right staff. 

Ask yourself: Who has the skills and staff for these positions? Is there a need to hire additional staff to meet the needs of this healthcare IT project? If so, what budget dollars are available?  Will this funding be in the form of internal or external hires? The answers to these questions will help you create a staffing strategy for your healthcare IT project.