Healthcare has always had its challenges, but it is crucial to understand these challenges so that you can deliver excellent care. Having a stable, effective, and safe IT solution can help you to develop better strategies to address these challenges.
Challenges based on member input and data findings from the Healthcare Executive Group
1. Data & analytics
In the age of evolving technology, there needs to be a constantly changing dialogue surrounding the leveraging of patient and staff data as well as statistical data. Effective data management will help manage good population health, and lead individual, provider, and payer decisions.
2. Total consumer health
At the heart of healthcare is the constant drive to improve members’ overall health. Health, in these terms, can cover medical (such as disease management), social (such as fighting loneliness), financial (such as keeping health costs manageable), and environmental well-being. It is important to see members as whole people, ensure that you are meeting their needs.
2. Population health services
It is important to optimize community-based health strategies and chronic care management. It is also crucial to manage clinical integration, and address the barriers to health, such as social determinants creating inequality.
3. Value-based payments
To provide the best quality care and maximize health in line with the challenges already mentioned, it is imperative to transition to and target specific medical conditions to manage cost.
4. The digital healthcare organization
Important aspects of digital healthcare include, but are not limited to, HSAs (or health savings account), portals, patient literacy, cost transparency, digital payments, CRM (or customer relationship management), wearables and other patient-generated data, health monitoring, and omni-channel access/distribution. These require a robust IT infrastructure with effective IT solutions.
5. Rising pharmacy costs
Pharmacy costs are rising, and this puts pressure on all aspects of the health system. By implementing strategies to address growth of pharmaceutical costs, these issues can be addressed and managed proactively without compromising the quality of care.
6. External market disruption
There are several new players out there, such as Amazon, Chase, Apple, Walmart, and Google. This list of external market disruptions will continue to grow, meaning a proactive approach is best.
7. Operational effectiveness
There is a constant challenge to implement lean quality programs and maximize process efficiency (with new core business models). There is also a need to consider robotics automation, revenue cycle management, and real-time/near-time point of sales transactions.
8. Opioid management
Opioid use is widespread across the country. Poorly managed opioid use can lead to addiction, which can have terrible effects on families and communities. Safe prescribing is imperative, as is the exploration of other ways to manage pain that do not lead to addiction.
Developing strategies for identifying and supporting those struggling with substance abuse/addiction or at risk of addiction will help keep these figures down.
9. Cybersecurity
Privacy and trust are crucial to effective patient care. Data breaches can be devastating. They can have serious implications, including financial repercussions and a total loss of trust.
When a patient seeks help from a doctor or healthcare professional, they do so in good faith that their sensitive data and personal information is protected. It is therefore imperative to protect the privacy and security of consumer information to maintain consumer trust in sharing data.
Healthcare Executive Group data
Over the past 10 years, the Healthcare Executive Group has collected data to identify challenges in healthcare, and address these one by one. Success has been evident, and each year a new list is compiled for all members to consider.
Many of these challenges can be addressed with proactive IT solutions. For example, with a robust IT infrastructure, you can stay ahead of the game, and worry less about cybersecurity, population health services, data and analytics, and healthcare provision in the digital age. This frees you up to focus on excellent patient care.
For more information
With the right IT solutions, you can overcome the biggest challenges in healthcare. No longer do you need to worry about cyber security breaches and IT failings leading to poor patient care. Not only that, you can rest assured that there will be no costly fees or financial repercussions due to a cyber threat or data leak. Effective IT solutions allow you to maximize healthcare provision and proactively address the challenges in healthcare before they arise.
For more information, contact Scale Technology at (501) 213-1732 to speak with an IT professional.
