Although we hear the term “innovation” often, defining the benefits of innovation in healthcare can be a challenge.
Does innovation mean having robots perform surgery? Using an app to track patient data? Implementing a new leadership structure?
“Innovation is not only about some of the technologies and the latest and the greatest in the world, but also creating an ecosystem that we all can innovate and benefit from,” said Greenway Chief Technology and Innovation Officer Kali Durgampudi.
Whether it’s a practice, a healthcare system, or a health information technology vendor, innovation has many different nuances. Still, the goals remain largely the same.
With annual U.S. healthcare spending reaching $3.5 trillion, it’s essential to explore new ideas, processes, and products that may be able to help lower costs while improving outcomes.
Innovative ideas in the medical field
How does innovation translate to an 11-physician practice in Katy, Texas?
For Medical Colleagues of Texas, the role of innovation and technology comes down to meeting the needs of patients and improving operations.
“We don't necessarily think the newest, shiniest, sleekest tool that gets released is even useful until we actually need it,” said Ethan Bing, Practice Administrator. “I think we've adopted [technologies] at the right times and really committed ourselves to them.”
Ethan said the practice’s relationship with Greenway has allowed it to improve patient care because the practice has been on the same platform for more 10 years. “Our workflows have been truly integrated into the software.”
Innovation a priority at Greenway
One of the ways Greenway pursues innovative ideas in the medical field is through its involvement in the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), an international membership organization dedicated to health information technology (IT).
Greenway and other firms comprise the CHIME Foundation, a nonprofit that facilitates networking among IT vendors, service providers, and consultants. Kali is an advisory board member for CHIME Innovation, the group’s global healthcare innovation initiative.
“What we're looking from a Greenway standpoint and also from a CHIME standpoint is we want to create an ecosystem … and learn and grow and use the weight of technologies that are being developed elsewhere in enhancing health and care,” Kali said.
Formation of CHIME
A group of senior health IT executives formed CHIME nearly three decades ago, and today it has nearly 3,000 members in about 52 countries and continues to expand.
The mission of the organization is to advance the role of senior health IT and innovation leaders through education, collaboration, and advocacy. Its vision, according to CHIME Innovation Executive Director Jonathan Fritz, is exceptional leaders transforming health and care.
“I really do view innovation as a spectrum,” Jonathan said. “It doesn't require shiny technology such as drones, AI, Blockchain, etc. But it most certainly can. However, innovation is also about creatively solving problems with meaningful and measurable results.”
Whether from the perspective of CHIME, a health IT vendor, or a practice manager, the benefits of innovation in healthcare are solving problems and ultimately, caring for patients the best way possible.
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