How can technology improve your resource planning?

The wonderful thing about this generation of AI tooling is that so many things can be automated via AI. The prerequisite for this is solid data governance and impeccable data quality. Once these are assured, many of the required data pipelines can be automated to feed data for balanced worksheets and so forth. SAP HANA, Microsoft Dynamics, Aveva, and Infor M3 all have functionality built-in for this. In order to get it done right, it is probably best to seek expertise from a consulting firm with a solid methodology and wealth of experience in breaking down the data model and building it all back up again for minimal friction and maximum throughput. And in this case, you'll be able to automate a vast amount of repetitive tasks.

IoT can speed up data collection, so it’s important to identify strategic points where IoT can be implemented. Having a data strategy in place is paramount even before automation and implementing AI driven decision making. Questions to ask: What data can be collected? (It’s important to prioritise before you get overwhelmed by data) Why? (Collect data with an end goal in mind) How? (IoT/manual/NLP) When? (Frequency) What to learn more? Feel free to connect!

Certainly, technology in healthcare can automate repetitive tasks, leading to increased efficiency and accuracy. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) can automate data entry tasks, reducing time spent on manual input and minimizing human error. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) can handle administrative tasks such as scheduling and billing, freeing up staff for more patient-centered tasks. Machine Learning algorithms can analyze large volumes of data, automating data analysis and reporting, which supports decision-making and strategic planning. In summary, technology can shift the focus from administrative duties to patient care, improving operational efficiency and patient outcomes.

When the systems are integrated and the flow of data is logically established, you’ll start seeing the power of data compounding. As you integrate the flow of data, analytics and decision making throughout the supply chain right from sourcing to delivery, incredible gains can be made as an organisation. Most companies struggle with collecting data and this is where AI powered by IoT can boost the gains. Want to learn more? Feel free to connect!

As a CMIO, I see immense potential in technology to integrate data and systems. It allows us to unify disparate sources, creating a centralized, real-time view of resources. This holistic perspective aids in optimizing resource utilization. Furthermore, the use of analytics and dashboards for data visualization enables us to identify trends, aiding in informed decision-making. For instance, business intelligence software can be leveraged for financial forecasting and budget optimization. Technology, thus, serves as a powerful tool in healthcare, ultimately driving efficiency and improving patient care.

Aligning IT and Data is as important to success as aligning IT and the LoBs. So, a first step for a successful integration is robust data governance. Once you know where your data is and you have data stewards and data owners identified, the LoBs can discuss the inputs and outputs to the systems they need integrated. This will be an iterative process, but at the end, you will have more resiliant systems relying on curated data running at maximum velocity. All this will ensure that you are meeting customer demand and focusing on innovation rather than plumbing.

The above use cases are outdated… Today, we can have AI powered meeting attendee in all meetings. The AI powered meeting attendee can 1) take elaborate meeting notes 2) turn meeting notes into an action plan for next meeting 3) pick the date for next meeting based on people availability 4) prioritise actions and assign owners 5) fact check and correct statements in real time Nobody from get away with making fluffy comments and false assurances because everything you say will go on record irrespective of the choice of words used. However, this will be productivity that will come at the expense of psychological safety. Razor focus on making the meeting notes encrypted and private will be of great importance as a company.

Agree these basic use cases seem a bit dated already with the AI summary tools we have available for meetings, summaries and action items internally. But drawing a parallel to the physician-patient interaction, similar digital tools have transformed healthcare. Telemedicine platforms, akin to our video conferencing tools, enable virtual consultations via voice or video, bringing healthcare to the patient’s doorstep. Just as we use instant messaging for quick internal communication, physicians and health systems use similar platforms to address patient queries in real time, synchronously, and by asynchronous means.

The analytics piece is huge. With the latest tech, we can tap into predictive analytics and ML to really deepen visibility into current and future resource needs. It's like having a crystal ball showing where demand is headed based on historical patterns. This means way better planning and staying ahead of shortages. But—let's be real—no algorithm or tech platform can do all the work for us here. We still need capable leaders keeping close tabs on resourcing strategy and guiding teams, especially during periods of change. It's about balance - leveraging tech horsepower while keeping our hands firmly on the steering wheel.

I love the use case for technology to augment learning. For instance, an AI tutor can revolutionize learning for medical and nursing students. It offers personalized learning, adapting to each student's pace and style. It provides instant feedback and tracks progress, highlighting areas for improvement. It could also simulate real-life scenarios for hands-on experience. Thus, an AI tutor supports students in becoming competent healthcare professionals of the future.

Systems first approach. Establish a system first and then design business processes around it. Funny enough, you see companies where “people are the system”. You want your people to constantly improve the system while streamlining the processes and managing the outliers. Once patterns are observed in outliers, again put the system hat on to figure out a way to make them flow through the system. It’s a journey of continuous improvement with constantly improving the accuracy of the systems and the efficiency of the processes. DM me if you want to learn more!