Michael Restuccia, SVP/CIO, Penn Medicine
The 2024 Penn Medicine Information Services (IS) Benefits Realization Report – highlighting 48 projects completed during fiscal years 2022 and 2023 – illustrates how health system IT departments can show what they’re bringing to the table.
The report’s emphasis on operational efficiency and financial impact is relevant for IT executives dealing with today’s shrinking budgets and margins. It outlines a 13-year evolution in Penn Medicine’s Information Services approach. Early efforts focused on standardizing EHRs and integrating clinical and research data. Such foundational steps enabled subsequent phases, including the adoption of precision medicine and AI, it stated.
“Technology is no longer just a tool but a backbone to providing healthcare,” the report states. The move toward AI and data-driven care has allowed Penn Medicine to develop predictive models and implement more personalized treatments. The report situates these advancements within the broader trend of increasing reliance on digital tools to enhance healthcare delivery.
Financial and Operational Outcomes
Penn Medicine reports a total financial benefit of $162.7 million from projects completed between 2022 and 2023. These gains include cost savings, cost avoidance, and new revenue generation. Notable initiatives include the establishment of dual data centers, which saved $15 million over five years while enhancing system resilience. This project eliminated disaster recovery contract costs and improved data replication capabilities, according to the report.
Another example is the consolidation of reporting platforms within the EHR system. By reducing the number of supported reports by 68%, the initiative delivered annual savings of $860,000, with a projected five-year total of $4.3 million.
Technology’s Role in Care Delivery
The report highlights several initiatives that integrate technology into clinical workflows. One such project, the LiveAware platform, uses natural language processing (NLP) to identify actionable insights for managing hepatocellular carcinoma.
Additionally, the ICU board workflow enhancements have streamlined critical care management by providing real-time updates to clinicians. The report notes that these improvements have supported more patient-centered care, though it does not quantify the clinical outcomes.
Efforts to optimize clinician workflows, such as reducing EHR alert fatigue, also play a significant role in Penn Medicine’s strategy.
For IT executives, the report offers insights into aligning technology with organizational goals:
- Strategic Alignment: The report highlights the importance of ensuring that IT initiatives are closely tied to an organization’s broader mission. CIOs can take note of how projects were selected and implemented to support clinical care, research, and education.
- Scalability and Resilience: Investments in scalable systems, such as dual data centers and AI-driven analytics, have enabled Penn Medicine to adapt to industry shifts.
- Clinician and Patient-Centric Solutions: Projects that streamline workflows and enhance communication, such as secure texting platforms integrated with EHRs, demonstrate how technology can address practical challenges in care delivery.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making: The report underscores the value of using analytics to measure and communicate the impact of IT investments, an approach that can strengthen stakeholder buy-in.
Moving Toward the Future
The report also looks ahead to emerging priorities, such as expanding AI capabilities and strengthening cybersecurity measures. These efforts are framed as essential for maintaining competitiveness and addressing evolving patient and operational needs. “As we step into the era of AI-driven care, the challenge is not just to innovate but to ensure that every advancement translates into better outcomes for patients and providers,” it stated.
Click here for more insights from Michael Restuccia, SVP/CIO, Penn Medicine.
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