Today, process improvement in healthcare depends heavily on adopting the right technologies and leveraging that technology to its fullest extent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just as electronic health records (EHRs) transformed the way medical facilities document and store patient data, modern health software is opening up new possibilities for the healthcare world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Epic<\/a>, for instance, is a complex application for healthcare providers that includes modules for a wide range of medical specialties, from anesthesia to wound care \u2013 and everything in between. The software can be used for patient record keeping, telehealth, patient communications, and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adopting such software applications can significantly improve an organization\u2019s performance, efficiency, and, most importantly, its ability to deliver care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet change does not come easy and it cannot happen overnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Below, we\u2019ll look at a few tips and principles that help healthcare providers modernize their processes and transform operations for the digital age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The digital era has come quickly, but it is far from over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To meet patients\u2019 needs and continue delivering quality care in today\u2019s digital world, healthcare providers must keep up with the trends that are reshaping the economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are five points to keep in mind when designing and leading digital change efforts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rapid organizational change<\/a> is often difficult, costly, and taxing for everyone involved.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike private companies, healthcare organizations cannot engage in radical overnight changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Healthcare organizations are extraordinarily complex and consist of many stakeholders who can have competing agendas, such as patients, doctors, nurses, organizational leaders, and more. At the same time, healthcare organizations must stay compliant with health laws and government regulations, which can make rapid change difficult, if not impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When investing in digital transformation, therefore, it pays to take a long-term view and build continuous process improvement into the business, rather than planning major overhauls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gradual, ongoing changes are easier to implement and they are easier for both patients and employees to accept. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since employee resistance<\/a> is such a common obstacle when implementing change, it is important to develop strategies to minimize the impact of organizational shifts, such as continuous process improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Organizational culture<\/a> affects the performance and the outcomes of change programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Naturally, every organization\u2019s culture is different and some are more flexible and agile than others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, humans as a whole – and especially employees – are resistant to change. Whether it be updated software applications or new business processes, they generally prefer to keep what is familiar. That resistance to learn can be deeply detrimental to change efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the best ways to build a learning culture<\/a> is by crafting a vision for culture change and earning support from leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When leaders support a culture change effort, that effect is much more likely to ripple out through the rest of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another aspect of process improvement in healthcare is actually changing the processes themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rather than treating digital change as a one-time event, digital adoption<\/a> should become a permanent function within the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n5 tips for leading digital change<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Build continuous process improvement into the organization<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Cultivate a culture of learning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Simplify technology adoption<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n