Surviving HIMSS16, Interoperability, Privacy & Security, and Telemedicine

If you are one of the many healthcare IT professionals heading to Sin City next week, for what is shaping up to be the largest show yet, you are going to want to know a few things. 

First, Healthcare IT News has a landing site, www.healthcareitnews.com/himss , for blogs, articles, videos  and more.  This is a tremendous resource for those who are preparing for the show.  Second, there is an HIMSS16 mobile app that you are going to want to download before the show.  The last and  most important tip is to have a plan and set up 1-1 appointments to ensure you meet with the right partners on the solutions that you believe can best support your organizations initiatives and goals.  The past couple of shows I have heard attendees lament that they didn’t have an opportunity to see everything they set out to.  Without a proper plan this could be you.

The biggest question on everyone’s mind is what Healthcare IT trends will dominate HIMSS16?  Now that we are nearing the end of meaningful use Interoperability, Big Data, and Privacy/Security are leading the way.

While challenges to interoperability exist the benefits to care organizations are great.  Attendees are asking the question, will expectations meet reality in 2016 for Interoperability?  Based on the previews of HIMSS16 I believe most of the attendees will get a better feel on how far the industry has truly come.  And with care organizations committing to person-centric and value-based care, there will be continued demand for connectivity and interoperability.

In 2015 cyber-attacks became the leading cause of data breaches[i].  Karen Barney, program director at the Identity Theft Resource Cetner (ITRC), predicts that the threat of cyber-attacks and cyber-crime will continue to grow.[ii]  Civil penalties for HIPAA violations are reaching into the millions and fines associated with PHI breach can also damage long established public trust.  This is why maintaining a secure, compliant health data environment is so important and why it is a top trend at HIMSS ’16.

One trend that is not making headlines but is sure to be on the top of many attendees list is Telemedicine.  What is telemedicine?  Formally defined, telemedicine is the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve a patient’s clinical health status.  Telemedicine includes a growing variety of applications and services using two-way video, email, smart phones, wireless tools and other forms of telecommunications technology.[iii]  The advantages of telemedicine include but not limited to:

• Enhanced quality of care
• More efficient, convenient, and more cost effective delivery of care
• Greater and faster access to a patient’s medical history
• Improves administrative efficiency and coordination
• Enhances senior wellness and preventative care through telemedicine and remote in-home monitoring 

If you are coming to HIMSS16 this is your opportunity to Change Your View on Healthcare Management!

 As the healthcare landscape continues to change, one thing remains the same: patient care is paramount.  But healthcare data is growing exponentially, and with it security concerns, data breaches and ever-expanding regulations.  By integrating Healthcare IT systems to optimize workflow and deliver quality care, Konica Minolta Business Solutions can help your organization solve interoperability, productivity and security challenges.  Our portfolio of solutions includes:

• Enterprise Content Management to improve speed to market
• Cloud Services for information sharing
• Healthcare IT Platform encompassing PACS, RIS, HER, Specialized Imaging Viewer
• Primary Imaging Hardware Solutions including full DR systems, retrofit DR panel solutions and ultrasound

It’s just another way that Konica Minolta gives shape to your ideas- and transforms the way you care for your patients and your business.

 For an in-depth look at our Healthcare IT portfolio, and a chance to win a Passport to Paradise giveaway, visit our Booth #7400 at HIMSS ’16.  Contact me to schedule a one on one meeting with Cindy Thomas East Regional Manager, Healthcare at Konica Minolta Business Solutions.

[i]  (Fifth Annual Benchmark Study on Privacy & Security of Healthcare Data)

[ii] www.healthcareitnews.com/blog/top-predictions-2016-privacy-and-security

[iii] www.americantelemed.org/about-telemedicine/what-is-telemedicine#.Vsst9PkrJpg