Medical Device Link.

Originally Published MX September/October 2004

COVER STORY

When people think of healthcare delivery, they tend to focus on the doctor-patient relationship as the critical nexus for the provision and receipt of care. But the business flow of healthcare is actually much more complex, encompassing a large number of interdependent processes.

Coordinating such varied processes can be a healthcare provider's nightmare—and it isn't always done successfully. Under optimal conditions, for instance, it might take 5 minutes to perform a CT scan, 5 minutes to read it, and 10 minutes to transcribe the report. But successfully managing workflow is a challenge for most institutions. For example, typical turnaround time from physician order to receipt of a CT report can be anywhere from 8 to 26 hours.

Enter the concept of the integrated digital healthcare enterprise.

(click to enlarge)

This rapidly emerging concept is all about thinking bigger, implementing efficient workflow processes that handle communications and data exchange between healthcare providers and their patients, suppliers, and payers. By connecting and improving an institution's workflow cycles, providers can better manage resources and reduce the time to initiation of treatment.

The concept relies on the integration of innovative information technologies (IT) and medical technologies. When implemented, such integrated systems can transform a healthcare organization into a filmless, paperless, patient-centric high-performance delivery system (see figure at right). Integrated technologies and workflow management solutions help improve quality of care through easier scheduling, shorter wait times, faster diagnoses, and up-to-the-second information access for clinicians. In addition, fully integrated clinical and financial information systems enable improved cash flow.

Smooth, seamless, integrated, quality healthcare may be an ambitious goal. But a number of healthcare institutions are already beginning to realize the vision of the digital, integrated healthcare enterprise in large and small ways. Their successes today promise even greater achievements for the future.

Illustration courtesy SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS

Copyright ©2004 MX