Consider This...Healthcare Observations by Ralph P. Fargnoli, Jr.
3/20/09

Are you Shovel Ready?

I appreciate all the feedback I received on last month's column about the incentives in the economic stimulus package - it just goes to show that the subject of the economic stimulus as it pertains to healthcare reform is top of mind with most healthcare professionals these days.

And the need to better understand the issues surrounding the economic stimulus is exactly why many within the healthcare industry will make the trip to Chicago next month to attend HIMSS.
 
According to H. Stephen Lieber, HIMSS president & CEO, in a press release dated March 13th: "Hospital and ambulatory clinicians and IT professionals see the conference as an opportunity to learn more about the details, challenges and opportunities in the economic stimulus package."

As such, according to HIMSS, the level of attendee registrations is at the same level as it was the same time last year even in a down economy.  It seems the main difference this year in why people are attending HIMSS is the thirst for knowledge and direction.
 
Yet, it's interesting to me that many are taking the "wait and see" approach with the health information technology adoption incentive payments since there is still some level of uncertainty as to issues such as "meaningful use," reimbursement formulas, etc.
 
I believe this approach is a mistake.  Now more than ever, hospitals and physician practices need to become shovel ready as EHR adoption does not happen overnight.  Up front, strategic planning is key to its success, followed by search and selection and implementation.  It takes time.

Are you shovel ready?  October of 2011 might seem like a long way away, but it's not.  You need to take the time now to prepare and make sure you have the technology in place to take advantage of the exceptional opportunity that the incentives present.  Ultimately, patient care, clinical quality and safety will be the overall winners.
 
Be sure to tell us what you think by stopping by the Beacon Partners booth #4416 at HIMSS to cast your opinion in our "Economic Stimulus Opinion Poll."

Ralph P. Fargnoli, Jr.
President & CEO
Beacon Partners, Inc.

Questions or comments, contact
ConsiderThis@BeaconPartners.com

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