CIOs, Kevin Bacon, and the Alternative Facts About Our Attendance at #HIMSS17

Alright, I’ll admit it. I came up with this title because I’ve been dying to figure out how to use the term “Alternative Facts” in any presentation or writing assignment over the last couple of weeks. It’s a ridiculous term, but hey, in our multi-dimensional healthcare universe, maybe there’s something to it. Here’s what I mean…

When it comes to this giant marketing/educational/collaboration/party called the HIMSS Annual Conference, it’s clear to me that opportunity for “alternative facts” abound. 

Alternative Fact Opportunity #1: Every CIO knows, there’s often a difference between what some vendors tell you they can do, and what they actually deliver. So always ask for proof. Get recommendations. As CIO’s you’ve got the best peer-group on the planet – ask fellow CIOs what they think of a company or product before you buy.

Alternative Fact Opportunity #2: Every vendor knows there’s often a difference between what a CIO says they will do to support an implementation, and how they actually behave post-sale. Turn-about is fair play, right? The healthcare IT world is like a big game of “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon”. Vendors and partners should find their connection back to suppliers who already work in a potential client’s health system, and ask questions about the customer. It’ll inform everything from pricing, to how resistant they are to change, to how much work you need to put into setting expectations, and how hard you’ll have coaching the buyer’s staff. 

Alternative Fact Opportunity #3: Where the #HIMSS17 itself is specifically concerned, I know there’s (perhaps) a difference between what we tell our bosses (and family) about why we come to the big show every year, and why actually come to the show every year. So, for the CIO’s who want an opportunity to log some awesome education (and I know that’s all of you!), here’s a few of my choices for must-see sessions during this very busy week:

HIMSS/CHIME CIO Forum: If you’re a CIO, and not yet a member of CHIME, you’re missing out. Hit up chimecentral.org and join, then enjoy the Forum on Feb 18-19, before the main HIMSS event starts. Why? Misery loves company (see Alternative Fact Opportunity #1 above). It's a giant CIO-Group-Therapy-Session. In other words, it’s all about the networking, and this is the ultimate CIO network. We like hanging out with people like us, who have problems similar to ours. Networking and learning is what both CHIME and HIMSS is all about.

CMS Quality Payment Program Overview, Session ID 81, Tuesday 1000-1100am: We’re not just technical leaders anymore. We must understand the pressures our peer business and clinical leaders are stressed about. Get the inside scoop on new CMS payment programs, right from the horse’s mouth. Then go home and show the team you’re way more than a great technology leader – show them you’re a full-blown healthcare executive.

Case Study: Making the Right Investments in Security, Session ID 136, Tuesday 2:30-3:30pm: Security might be the hottest topic for healthcare this year. And if you’ve not heard CynergisTek’s Mac McMillan present, you should. This session is about practical, real-life experience building a good hospital security program, featuring not only Mac, but also Don Lindsey from Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare. Don’t miss it.

Rounding Like You Mean IT, Session 162, Wednesday 1000-1100am: I’m a big fan of Lean and Toyota Production Systems. I’m such a groupie, I’ve spent time in Japan learning from the masters. One fundamental that is unavoidable – “rounding” is the key to operations – you must go to the place where the work is done. Sounds simple, but there’s a lot to the concept. Lisa Grisim (Stanford) and Santosh Mohan (Chair, HIMSS Innovation Committee) will give you the inside tips on how to become the stuff of legend back home.

Finally, have fun. And yell if you see me! I'll be tweeting from @drexdeford all week -- see you in Orlando.

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Thanks. You can always find me at www.drex.io

You can trust a leader who has been in your shoes! Drex DeFord has spent more than 25 years at some of the nation’s most respected health systems. As a digital health leader, he works with health systems, vendor-partners, start-ups, and investors. He understands competing priorities. Strained resources. The pressure to differentiate your services, distinguish your brand, demonstrate value, and the drive to find ways to deliver better, faster, cheaper, safer, easier-to-access care to patients and families. All amid seismic changes in our industry. 

You’re busy. Let drex help. 

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