April 19, 2024: In this episode, Dr. CT Lin, CMIO of UC Health, engages in a thought-provoking discussion about the integration of generative AI in healthcare workflows, sharing insights from his conversations with industry experts. He explores the nuances of clinicians' perceptions of AI-generated notes, the potential impact on patient care, and the delicate balance between automation and human expertise. CT delves into the challenges of customization, the importance of teamwork in optimizing EHR usage, and strategies for mitigating clinician burnout. As the conversation unfolds, listeners are prompted to consider the evolving role of technology in healthcare and its implications for clinician well-being and patient outcomes. How can AI enhance efficiency without compromising quality? What strategies can healthcare organizations implement to foster effective collaboration and innovation? And how can clinicians navigate the complexities of automation while preserving their expertise and autonomy?Key Points:AI VoiceAI AcceptancePatient TransparencyClinician BurnoutSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

April 18: We sat down with Christine Blanchard, Managing Director at CTG, to explore the company's pivotal role in transforming healthcare through technology. How has CTG managed to stay at the forefront of healthcare IT solutions for over 35 years? What are the key strategies that have enabled them to effectively address the diverse needs of their clients in healthcare systems, payers, and life sciences? Moreover, Christine discusses the recent initiatives CTG has undertaken to enhance patient engagement and streamline healthcare operations through advanced IT solutions. This episode not only provides a deep dive into CTG's successful strategies but also offers insights into the future of healthcare IT as envisioned by one of its leading players.CTG - https://www.ctg.com/

April 17: In this Interview in Action, Bill Russell talks with Mick Coady, CTO from Armis, to discuss the innovative solutions and strategies Armis employs to tackle the complex challenges of healthcare cybersecurity. How does Armis prioritize and address the myriad of threats facing healthcare institutions today? What makes their approach to asset discovery and vulnerability management stand out in a crowded field of cybersecurity solutions? Furthermore, we explore how Armis recent acquisition of CTCI is set to revolutionize the way healthcare organizations prompt and respond to cyber threats. This conversation not only sheds light on the technical prowess of Armis but also offers a glimpse into the future of healthcare cybersecurity, where predictive models and actionable threat intelligence could significantly alter the landscape of digital health security.Categories: Cybersecurity/Privacy

April 16: Today on TownHall, Brett Oliver, Family Physician and Chief Medical Information Officer at Baptist Health talks with Hamed Abbaszadegan, MD, Physician Executive at Stanson Health. We reconnect with our most popular guest from last year as he navigates us through the complexities of AI and machine learning, natural language processing, and the advancement of large language models. What does AI actually look like in the healthcare industry currently? How are health systems integrating it into their processes and where are they being hesitant? Is the cloud an essential part of this technological evolution and what does it mean for AI in healthcare this year? Could we be stepping into an era of 'cautionary evaluation'? Listen in to get answers to these thought-provoking questions and much moreSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

April 17: These interviews in action feature Drex DeFord, President, 229 Risk & Security at This Week Health with Didi Davis, VP, Informatics, Conformance & Interoperability of The Sequoia Project from HIMSS 2024 and Sarah Richardson, SVP, Chief Digital & Information Officer of Tivity Health is joined by Erica Williams, Regional Technology Officer of Ascension at ViVE 2024. Didi diving deep into the intricacies of healthcare IT, interoperability, and the transformative work being done at The Sequoia Project. With a rich background spanning 34 years in healthcare IT and a passion for improving data usability. But what does it truly take to make data more usable in the healthcare sector, and how can the Sequoia Project's initiatives, like the Interoperability Matters and the newly launched Data Usability Taking Root, pave the way for a more interconnected healthcare ecosystem? Moreover, how do these efforts contribute to the broader goals of provider-to-provider exchange, public health communication, and empowering consumers in their healthcare journey? Also, Erica Williams navigates through the complexities and aspirations of modern healthcare systems, Erica shares her professional development journey, emphasizing the unpredictable yet invaluable learnings from ViVE. The conversation takes a deep dive into the critical challenge of interoperability within healthcare systems. But how does this quest for interoperability intersect with the enhancement of clinician experiences, from physicians to nurses? And in what ways can ambient solutions and AI components revolutionize the provider landscape?

April 15, 2024: In this episode of This Week Health, Bill Russell interviews Samira Singh, Director of Informatics for Providence, at HIMSS 2024. They delve into the intricacies of value-based care contracts, data exchange frameworks like FHIR, and the evolving landscape of healthcare interoperability. With discussions ranging from the challenges of closing care gaps to the future potential of standardized data sets, listeners are invited to ponder the role of regulation in driving healthcare standards, the impact of FHIR on bidirectional data exchange, and the necessity of financial data inclusion in interoperability efforts. How can professionals navigate the complexities of value-based care while ensuring data accuracy and accessibility for providers and payers alike? Can standardized frameworks like TEFCA pave the way for a more streamlined and efficient healthcare ecosystem? And how might the integration of financial performance reporting reshape the provider-payer relationship in the era of value-based care contracts?

April 12, 2024: In this engaging keynote conversation, Dr. Michael Pfeffer, CIO at Stanford Healthcare, discusses the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics in healthcare. Delving into topics like ambient clinical listening, generative AI, and computer vision, Dr. Pfeffer emphasizes the importance of collaboration and innovation in harnessing the power of technology to improve patient care. Thought-provoking questions arise, such as: How can AI enhance clinical decision-making while maintaining transparency? What are the ethical considerations of using AI in healthcare? And how can organizations prioritize their technological investments to maximize impact? Lastly, Michael discusses his thoughts on what makes a good leader in an industry as large as healthcare.Key Points:AI Made PracticalAmbient Clinical ListeningGenerative AIComputer VisionLeadership in InnovationSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

April 11:This interviews in action features Drex DeFord, President, 229 Risk & Security at This Week Health with Vernon O'Donnell, President of Field Operations at Hypori. In this episode, they delve into the intricacies of cybersecurity in the healthcare sector. As they navigate through Vernon's journey from the military to leading Hypori mission, we uncover the critical role of cybersecurity in protecting sensitive healthcare data. How does Hypori’s innovative approach to cybersecurity redefine the safeguarding of data on edge devices, and what implications does this have for the healthcare industry at large? Vernon sheds light on the unique challenges and opportunities in transitioning cybersecurity technologies from defense to healthcare applications. How does Hypori’s solution ensure the protection of both enterprise intellectual property and individual privacy, especially in the context of HIPAA compliance? Moreover, we explore the significance of user experience in the adoption of cybersecurity technologies in healthcare. What lessons has Hypori learned from its defense background, and how are these insights shaping its offerings for the healthcare community? This episode not only highlights the evolving landscape of healthcare cybersecurity but also prompts us to consider the balance between technological innovation and user-centric design in protecting our most valuable data.Categories: Cloud, CyberSecurity & PrivacyDemo:https://go.hypori.com/Hypori80secs

March 22: In this Interview in Action at HIMSS 2024, Bill Russell interviews Kenneth Harper, VP and GM from Nuance Communications. Harper discusses the revolutionary impact of DAX Copilot in healthcare documentation, highlighting its seamless integration into Epic and its ability to save clinicians valuable time. But with the democratization of technology, how do we ensure quality and accuracy? As organizations rush to adopt similar solutions, what distinguishes true innovation from mere imitation? Moreover, as AI continues to evolve, what new frontiers lie ahead in healthcare augmentation and automation?

April 10, 2024: In this engaging episode from VIVE 2024 in Los Angeles, we delve into the transformative journey of Baptist Health Jacksonville under the leadership of Stacey Johnston, Chief Application Officer, and their remarkable achievement of a ten-star EPIC implementation. The conversation also focuses on the clinician experience, specifically medication reconciliation (MedRec) challenges, as Colin Banas, Chief Medical Officer with DrFirst, outlines the persistent hurdles despite advancements in interoperability and digitization. How can the gaps in medication history be filled, and what solutions can address the semantic interoperability problem to prevent manual data transcription errors? This episode not only sheds light on the complexities of healthcare IT implementations and optimizations but also presents innovative solutions to longstanding challenges in clinical workflows.Key Points:Ten-Star EPIC Implementation SuccessPost-Live Optimization StrategiesMedication Reconciliation ChallengesImproving Medication History AccuracyAI-Driven Process EnhancementsSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

April 9: Today on TownHall Jake Lancaster, Chief Medical Information Officer at Baptist Memorial Health Care talks with Liz Griffith, Director of EHR Education at uPerform. In their conversation they delve into the intertwined issues of burnout and turnover in the healthcare sector, a phenomenon Liz Griffith dubs as "burnover." Liz, with her extensive background in healthcare technology and EHR satisfaction research, sheds light on how the pandemic has drastically altered the landscape of training within healthcare systems. But how exactly do EHR systems contribute to this burnover? And more importantly, what innovative solutions can mitigate these challenges? How can healthcare systems better align their priorities with the needs of frontline workers to combat burnover effectively?Subscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

April 9: First, we join Justin Coran, Chief Analytics Officer at Renown Health, and Steven Ramirez, Chief Information Security & Technology Officer at Renown Health, at the HIMSS conference. The duo shares their ambitious initiatives for the year, focusing on transitioning to a multi-cloud environment with AWS and Azure, and the importance of building a sustainable infrastructure that ensures security and prevents data leakage. They emphasize the critical role of analytics maturity in healthcare systems, highlighting the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning to revolutionize clinical and administrative operations. Governance and data literacy emerge as pivotal themes, underscoring the need to prepare the workforce for an AI-driven future. Then, we dive in with Perry Welch, Chief Sales Officer at Airwavz Solutions, a company at the forefront of solving in-building connectivity challenges within healthcare facilities. As hospitals and healthcare institutions evolve into sprawling complexes, the issue of reliable cellular service becomes increasingly critical, not just for convenience but for essential medical operations. Welch delves into how Airwavz addresses this problem by creating custom-designed, carrier-agnostic networks that ensure seamless communication within these complex environments.Categories: Cloud, AI / Machine Learning

April 8, 2024: In this episode Bill Russell sits down with Andy Chu, Chief Product Officer at Providence Digital Innovation Group, to delve into the intricacies of healthcare product development. Andy explains the mission of his role, emphasizing problem-solving and innovation within Providence's digital landscape. Through thoughtful discussion, Andy articulates the complex process of identifying healthcare challenges, generating solutions, and ultimately building sustainable platforms. As the conversation unfolds, listeners gain insight into Providence's strategic approach to product development, including the significance of external validation, platform integration, and the long-term sustainability of ventures. Engaging questions arise: How does Providence navigate the vast landscape of healthcare problems? What factors influence the decision to pursue a particular solution? What challenges do health systems encounter in product development, and how can they be mitigated? Through Andy’s expertise and experiences, this episode offers a thought-provoking exploration of the dynamic intersection between technology and healthcare.

April 5, 2024: In this episode, Brett Oliver, CMIO of Baptist Health System KY & IN, Lacy Knight, CHIO at Piedmont Healthcare, and Matthew Sullivan, CMIO of Atrium Healthcare, have open discussion around a variety of topics. Is AI at its current stage worth the challenges it poses in terms of cost, efficiency, and interoperability. They delve into the complexities of adopting AI platforms, the need for standardization in imaging technologies, and the role of clinical decision support in enhancing patient care. Thought-provoking questions arise, such as: How can healthcare organizations balance the rising costs of AI implementation with the imperative to drive down overall healthcare expenditures? What strategies can be employed to overcome the challenges of integrating disparate imaging systems and ensuring seamless data exchange? How can CMIOs leverage their influence to navigate organizational complexities and drive technological innovation in healthcare?Key Points:Smooth AI IntegrationImaging StandardizationClinical Decision SupportCross System Communication Large vs. Small System IssuesSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

March 4, 2024: In this episode of This Week Health, Bill Russell discusses Meditech’s new advancements in EHR data systems with Dara Bartels, CEO of Mile Bluff Medical Center. They discuss the evolution of their EHR system, highlighting challenges faced with dual systems, interoperability issues, and clinician burden. The conversation focuses on the implementation of Meditech Expanse coupled with Google Health's search and summarization capabilities, offering insights into how it streamlines workflow, enhances data accessibility, and reduces burnout for both patients and clinicians. Throughout the dialogue, Dara navigates through the complexities of EHR integration, shedding light on potential future advancements and addressing the crucial role of technology in revolutionizing healthcare delivery

April 4, 2024: In this insightful episode, Drex DeFord, President, 229 Risk & Security at This Week Health delves into the transformative world of healthcare data management with Kevin Field, President of Clearsense, recorded at HIMSS 2024. With a rich background in healthcare technology and a pivotal role at Clearsense, Kevin shares his journey from leading Epic implementations to focusing on making healthcare data a valuable asset. But what does it truly take to organize and utilize vast amounts of data from disparate systems effectively? How can healthcare organizations leverage this data to make informed decisions, and what role does data governance play in ensuring consistency and trustworthiness of data? Moreover, Kevin discusses the challenges and solutions in integrating legacy systems and the importance of creating a common data language within organizations. The conversation also explores the potential of AI and how foundational good data quality is for its application in healthcare. Through a blend of technology and advisory practices, Clearsense aims to empower healthcare providers with reliable, actionable insights. But how does this approach change the dynamics of data management and decision-making in healthcare? Join them as they uncover the complexities and innovations shaping the future of healthcare data management.

April 2: In this Interview in Action from HIMSS ‘24  Ray Lowe, SVP of AltaMed, and Kevon Kothari, Chief Growth Officer at Certify, delve into the realm of patient experience. They discuss all things workflow optimization, shedding light on Certify's efforts to streamline patient intake processes and enhance the overall healthcare journey. Thought-provoking questions arise: How can technology like facial recognition improve accessibility for elderly patients? What role does automation play in optimizing workflows within healthcare facilities? And how do such innovations integrate with existing systems like EPIC, filling gaps and enhancing patient engagement? These questions prompt reflection on the evolving landscape of healthcare technology and its impact on patient care.

April 2: Today on TownHall, Reid Stephan, VP and CIO at St. Lukes speaks with Peter Marks, Vice President and CIO at WakeMed and Sacheen Mallette, Director Application Services at WakeMed. They delve into the inception, execution, and remarkable benefits of organizing annual visits to Epic's corporate offices. How has this unique strategy fostered a deeper collaboration and understanding between WakeMed and Epic? How critical is C-suite involvement on these trips? Can a visit really make a difference in how healthcare technology is leveraged? From revenue cycle enhancements to operational efficiencies, find out the tangible benefits and outcomes of WakeMed's strategic initiatives with Epic.Subscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

March 29, 2024: Join Cris Ross, CIO of the Mayo Clinic, as they delve into the future of health IT. From the integration of AI in radiology to the potential for patient dialogue with medical records, Ross shares insights on the transformative power of technology in healthcare. But as we embrace these advancements, how can we ensure patient-centricity remains at the core? And with the rapid evolution of technology, what challenges and opportunities lie ahead for aspiring IT professionals entering the healthcare sector? Cris also shares his personal experience as a patient in Healthcare and the changes it made in his perspective. Join the conversation as they explore the intersection of technology and patient care, and contemplate the ethical implications of AI integration in healthcare.Key Points:Patient Focused InnovationSystem IntegrationHealthcare TrendsVirtual Workspace CommunityWorkplace NecessitiesSubscribe: This Week HealthTwitter: This Week HealthLinkedIn: Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer

March 28: Live from HIMSS, Chris Carmody, CTO & Senior Vice President for UPMC, and Tyler Bryson, Corporate Vice President, Health & Public Sector Industries, US for Microsoft, delve into the innovative partnership between UPMC and Microsoft, focusing on the transformative power of AI in healthcare. Chris Carmody shares insights into how leveraging Microsoft's AI platforms has revolutionized their clinical analytics, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation explores the critical role of data analytics in improving patient outcomes and operational efficiencies. How does UPMC's approach to AI and data analytics serve as a model for other healthcare institutions? What implications does this partnership have for the future of healthcare technology, and how might it influence patient care and operational strategies? This episode not only sheds light on UPMC's journey with AI but also prompts us to consider the broader impacts of technology on healthcare systems.Categories: AI / Machine Learning, EHR