Russ Branzell, CIO, Poudre Valley Health System
Never in the history of the United States is there more at risk relative to the deployment of information technology and specifically health information technology. The very future of our health system is dependent on us (CIOs). There is no more time for competition either individually or organizationally.
How much difference can we make united versus divided? The answer is quite simple:
United, we have a fighting chance at success! (Percentage to be determined???)
Divided, we have near guaranteed failure!!!
Here are some examples of success to build on. CHIME’s StateNet went from idea to 100% of the states being represented by CIOs. This new program is going to ensure communication and collaboration on a scale never before imagined. Credit to grass root development by CIOs like Randy McCleese from Kentucky and Neal Ganguly from New Jersey with support from Sharon Canner from the CHIME staff. The potential of this group is unbelievable.
When was the last time a majority of the CIOs and senior HIT leaders of the Colorado healthcare organizations met to work collaboratively on significant and urgent issues? Answer: Never!!! Now a new group, Colorado CIO Communication Collaborative (C4) formed in just six weeks. The group has had two in-person meetings and one teleconference with regular meetings scheduled every month for the remainder of the year. The items being discussed are not for the faint of heart. PHRs, HIEs, eMPI, just to name a few. The group now has 19 members and growing every week. This group is now a major player in state-wide initiatives and a role-model program that other states are emulating.
Several other states have successful HIE projects, RHIOs, community sharing initiatives, and CIO communication groups.
I commend and endorse the work the ONCHIT and committees have done to get us to this point. But, CIOs, we have to Unite and take charge. State RHIOs, Regional Extension Centers, and ASP software are not going to relieve us from the true transformational, heavy lifting required to actually make this all work.
So, simple advice: Unite locally, regionally, state-wide and nationally. For those already engaged in the fight – Bless You!!! For those not in the game yet – now is the time!
More to come, a lot more!!!!
Mike Wilson says
Well done, Russ. We all inherently know the reason ‘why’ we should do this. Sometimes we have to be reminded on the value of ‘why’. Now it’s time for the ‘how’ … so let’s get it started!
Jimmy Weeks says
More words of wisdom from Russ. The accomplishments by Russ and his team set the bar high for all and demonstrate that anything is possible when people work together for the common good of The Patient.
The Patient after all is who we are here for. Not the glitzy Data Center, the 10GB network, the flashy tablets or the wireless network. We are here to improve the quality of care for the patient.
Looking forward to seeing you at HIMSS and talking of next steps. “Make It Happen”