Health IT

For many healthcare organizations, adopting new information technology creates new problems and inefficiencies. Why? Because the organization does not reengineer its clinical and business office processes associated with the new IT environment. The results are missed opportunities, under-utilized technology and greater physician and staff frustration.  As healthcare continues to shift to more outcomes based payment methods and increasing levels of clinical integration, the need for successful deployment of information technology becomes critically important.  Enhanced IT capabilities serve as a fundamental element of any clinical integration, PCMH (Patient Centered Medical Home) or ACO (Accountable Care Organization) development and/or maintenance initiative.

Health Directions has deep expertise in helping organizations develop the processes and workflows required to optimize investments in EMR systems, practice management systems, add-on productivity software and business office systems. We help clients achieve high IT performance by harmonizing people, processes and technology.  In addition, we have assisted our hospital and physician clients in planning for and obtaining available Federal stimulus funding for implementation of certified EMR technology. Health Directions team members offer three key services:

• Selection — Many providers learn too late that their new Practice Management system or EMR does not fit their distinct clinical or business needs. Health Directions helps clients select Health IT systems with the right mix of functionality and scalability to provide a positive return on investment. Our team analyzes operations, identifies requirements and assists in evaluating alternatives.  The result is selection of a PM, EMR or other IT system that supports unique practice processes and enables high revenue cycle performance.
• Implementation — Technology is only one element of effective Health IT. When installing a new Practice Management system or EMR, organizations need to reengineer processes for the new technology environment. Health Directions helps clients redesign clinical workflows and business office processes to take full advantage of IT capabilities. We analyze your system structure and hierarchy to identify opportunities for increased economies. We then assist in customizing the system to ensure maximum organizational value, and work with end users to facilitate full adoption.  Additionally, we work with client teams to develop IT strategies that support the reporting and management requirements of clinical integration, ACO formation, PCMH development and PQRI (Physician Quality Reporting Initiative) involvement.
• Re-launch — Poorly implemented Health IT can slow down patient flow, disrupt billing, increase staff workload and create physician resistance. Many organizations struggle with day-to-day operational problems because old processes do not work with new technology. Health Directions can plan and execute a system re-launch that facilitates attainment of the clinical and financial benefits of EMR and practice management technologies.  Our comprehensive approach takes full advantage of system capabilities, improves efficiency, increases physician and staff satisfaction, and optimizes financial performance.