When I initially considered writing a blog about creating project success and avoiding common pitfalls, I recalled a Becker’s report, as well as many others, confirming that 70% of hospital strategic initiatives fail. I wondered how so many projects failed to meet defined goals and expectations. Who was steering or not steering the ship? For five straight years, the statistic remained the same... until the Project Management Institute (PMI), Pulse of the Profession 2017 survey, reported that organizations implementing strategic initiatives are experiencing a higher success rate. This is good news, but there is still significant room for improvement.

Spotlight: Kyle Hodges

Kyle is a project manager and HR leader, who has led implementations in complex healthcare systems that transitioned many antiquated paper-based activities to enhance electronic processes leveraging Infor applications. 

Dana Spencer

Client Services Executive

Dana is a seasoned Healthcare IT Program Manager. She is an expert in software solutions delivery and services that improve patient care, clinical outcomes, and maximize organizational performance. Dana's experience in strategic and tactical planning, process redesign, change management, and executive relationship management has yielded years of repeated success in the deployment of solutions in multi-size enterprise environments.

James Layton, PMP

Cerner Certified Revenue Cycle Client Services Executive

Over the past 11 years, James has driven efficiency and excellence within Revenue Cycle operations in healthcare. He is Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certified and has demonstrated mastery as a project leader within many complex engagements. James' passion within healthcare IT spans project management, IT systems, Revenue Cycle consulting, and engagement leadership.  In efforts to prove continued dedication to his profession, he obtained a CRCP, Patient Accounting from Cerner’s Revenue Cycle Certification Program last September, 2018.

Spotlight: Sonya Schulte, MBA, PMP

Sonya is a senior level consultant and implementation manager with excellent leadership skills and project management experience. She has a strong work ethic, provides superior customer service and has excellent oral and written communication skills.

As a seasoned Infor CloudSuite HCM (Lawson S3) implementation professional with over 23 years of experience, Sonya provides direction, sets project guidelines, and provides a wide range of expertise. She works either independently, or with a team, to meet deadlines and balance multiple priorities in high stress environments. She is a creative and proactive problem-solver, with experience managing change. As a former HR Director and SPHR, Sonya understands the challenges facing HR and Payroll professionals. Sonya has a BBA, Management from Texas A & M University and a MBA, Management/ Human Resources from Texas State University.

PM Spotlight - Tim Barca, PMP

Tim has over 20 years of healthcare information technology experience, including key roles at hospitals and software vendors.  This experience has spanned the implementation and maintenance of Revenue Cycle, Clinical, Pharmacy Automation, and Ambulatory applications in multi-facility healthcare organizations.  

As a Client Services Executive at ROI, Tim has demonstrated a high level of integrity, relationship development skills, and team collaboration across our client engagements. He holds an MBA degree in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix, Pittsburgh, PA and received his Bachelor's of Science degree in Computer Based Systems Management, Eberly School of Technology, California University of PA, California. 

One of the most underestimated vulnerabilities of healthcare providers after a new system implementation or upgrade is an increase in DNFB volume. Accounts included in the DNFB list are, Discharged but Not Final Billed, for a variety of reasons. DNFB is a critical element within your revenue cycle, directly impacting the bottom line.

Acknowledging your strengths, your source of energy, and your contributions in large conference settings is an important first step to making the most of your investment. If you are planning to travel all the way to a conference or other networking event, you might as well have a plan that leaves you feeling energized and inspired to make positive changes in your organization. 

Is your practice application approaching sunset? Are you looking to purchase a new system? Have you recently merged with another group and now have disparate systems that need to be consolidated?    

Are you ready for year-end?  What have you been doing all year long to prepare for year-end?