CompTIA Day 4–Healthcare IT–Big Opportunity, But You’ve Got to Know What You’re Doing!

CompTIA.  Day four.  Last day.  Whew!!  Now, I can relax and take a deep breath!  

But before I left town, I couldn’t resist sitting in on the Healthcare IT workshop.  Led by Patti Dodgen, CEO of Hielix was entitled “Building Your HIT Blueprint–Assessing the IT Needs of a Healthcare Provider to Become a Trusted Advisor”.  What a great topic.  With the passage of the HITECH ACT as part of 2009′s stimulus package, doctors and hospitals stand a chance to tap into $27 Billion over ten years for adoption of Electronic Health Records (EHRs).  And the clock is ticking.  The government released their Final Rules on Meaningful Use July 13th.  Since that day, Patti says that her phone has literally been ringing off the hook.  Hielix is a an expert on helping healthcare practitioners and hospitals implement EHRs and navigating the myriad technology offerings to make sure that organizations achieve Meaningful Use as defined by Health and Human Services.  According to their Website,  ”We have built a national expertise in the adoption of electronic health records and the impact of achieving meaningful use.  We currently participate on HIMSS’ ARRA Ambulatory Workgroup developing tools for physician practices to use to select an appropriate EHR and achieve meaningful use. “ 

Patti Dodgen, CEO of Hielix

 

I can understand the huge opportunity, but definitely understand the challenges.  I have worked in the life sciences industry for years–from pharmaceutical companies, to pharma ad agencies, to medical device companies to laboratory information management companies.  I have managed payer marketing and strategy, as well DTC and key opinion leader functions.  And in all those roles, dealing with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), is one of the most complicated.  Tie that complication to the traditional world of a physician’s practice, and you really have whirlwind of complexity.  You need to deal with doctors who, in many cases, are entrenched in their current practice management system.  You need to integrate that system with an EHR system, and do it seamlessly.  Plus you have to understand the nuances and requirements of the physician specialties.  Having a “one-stop-shop” to help them make the right choices and manage their systems is crucial.  

No wonder the CompTIA Healthcare IT Community sees it as such a huge opportunity for information technology resellers.  That’s why they are developing a Healthcare IT Blueprint and other programs to educate community member companies.  That is definitely needed.  I’ve worked in the industry for years, and I still learned a few things at the session.  Great job, CompTIA!