From policy to payment reform to privacy and security, the 26th Annual HIMSS Leadership Survey takes the pulse of a fast-changing industry. As more is thrown at health IT leaders every day, the annual poll offers insight into the plans, hopes and concerns of those on the front lines.
Gathering the feedback of more than 300 participants (collected between Jan. 9 and Feb. 24, 2015), this year's edition "showed that more than one-third of participants report that their organization was able to demonstrate improvement in all three areas covered in the Triple Aim as a result of their IT use," said John H. Daniels, vice president, strategic relations for HIMSS.
"These numbers are critical as they prove the continued progress healthcare is making as IT integrates with value-based care strategies and the growing influence of the patient in health encounters," he added. "It will be important for providers to capitalize on this momentum to ensure improved patient satisfaction as the sector begins the transition from Stage 2 to Stage 3 of meaningful use."
Access the full survey here, and click through for some highlights from the report.
Catering to the consumer
Seventy-two percent of respondents report that consumer and patient considerations, such as patient engagement, satisfaction and quality of care will have a major impact on their organization's strategic efforts over the next two years.
Building a technology strategy
Eighty-one percent of respondents say health IT is considered a highly strategic tool at their organizations
Making a business case for health IT
Seventy-six percent of respondents say their technology usage fully supports their organization's overall business plan.
Taking aim on care improvement
Survey respondents are recognizing gains in achieving the Triple Aim. More than two-thirds (68 percent) indicated an improvement within the patient health experience. More than half indicated that IT was reducing the cost of healthcare (53 percent) and improving population health (51 percent).
Getting support from the C-suite
Seventy-nine percent of respondents indicated their organization's executive team is highly supportive of IT.
Benefiting from the board's blessing
Seventy-two percent of respondents indicated their organization's board of directors was also on board with IT growth within their organizations.
Getting their ducks in a row
Seventy-four percent of respondents indicated that IT is considered a critical tool for improving care coordination.
Reaching out
Eighty-seven percent of respondents stated that their organization provided a patient portal through which patients can access information.
Building for the future
Forty-nine percent indicated that their organization expected to increase the number of IT staff at their organization in the same time frame.
