According to Ms. Kirk, there are three major factors CIOs need to account for to reduce the cost of providing care. These are simplifying their IT platforms, avoiding the use of systems that require or encourage customization and automating workflows.
“The key problem with keeping so many systems running smoothly is it takes an extreme amount of duct tape, which comes in the form of smart, well-paid, well-educated people who on a daily basis do rote, repeatable work to ensure end users get what they need and systems keep running,” Ms. Kirk said in a webinar presentation on Wednesday.
Complicated systems that offer customization can end up requiring up to five times as much support and generally result in decreased satisfaction. All of the extra hands that are required on deck are costly for an organization, and result in resources being allocated away from increasing revenue and toward things like just keeping the lights on.
Ms Kirk’s book, “Mission+Margin: A Prescription for Curing Healthcare’s Cost Crisis” is available on iTunes and Amazon. Her “The Role of the CIO in Cost Improvement” webinar presentation will be given monthly in a virtual book tour format through September. Information on dates and presentations is available here.
More articles on CIOs:
The CIO’s role in cost improvement
3 communication tips for CIOs from Intel Chairman Andy Bryant
Fewer than 25% of CIOs part of executive team: 4 key report takeaways
