
“Digital Health Most Wired 2023” reveals healthcare’s shift from storing to utilizing data for enhanced outcomes. Embracing advanced analytics, institutions face integration challenges but recognize AI’s potential. Wearable tech integration and BYOD policies expand data inputs, demanding security measures. The evolving CIO role sees specialized leaders emerging, particularly in cybersecurity, reflecting the industry’s awareness of data threats. Smaller organizations grapple with cybersecurity due to resource constraints. The report emphasizes tailored strategies and support for diverse healthcare settings to navigate evolving challenges.
The Digital Health Most Wired 2023 survey charts a pivotal moment in healthcare as organizations pivot towards maximizing health data usage. Fueled by advanced analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), this transformation aims to amplify outcomes. However, challenges in integration and cybersecurity persist, especially for smaller institutions. The evolving roles within healthcare leadership, notably the CIO’s role, reflect the industry’s response to the escalating data threats. This report sheds light on how healthcare entities grapple with these shifts and emphasizes the need for tailored strategies and support across the sector.
In the realm of healthcare, a profound shift is underway as organizations pivot from merely capturing and storing data to leveraging health data for enhanced outcomes. The Digital Health Most Wired 2023 survey conducted by CHIME and KLAS unveils compelling trends steering healthcare entities towards maximizing the potential of health data usage.
The survey delineates three pivotal themes propelling the acceleration of data utilization: amplified data outputs, widened data inputs, and elevated data direction.
AMPLIFIED DATA OUTPUTS
Healthcare institutions are actively embracing advanced analytics to harness the full potential of data, with a remarkable 80 percent employing some form of advanced analytics. However, the comprehensive adoption of analytics faces hurdles due to disparate health IT solutions used across departments and locations, impeding seamless system integration.
The report underscores that realizing the maximum potential of analytics, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), necessitates aligning technology, data, and strategy. Successful adoption often hinges on close collaboration between healthcare organizations and their vendors, impacting the effectiveness of these technologies.
Perceptions regarding AI in the healthcare sector have evolved significantly. Initially met with skepticism, AI is now viewed with greater enthusiasm for its potential impact on care. Notably, generative AI has broadened the industry’s perspective on data’s multifaceted impact, spanning beyond operational efficiencies. Its promising applications include clinical documentation improvement, patient scheduling, revenue cycle management, and leveraging big data for enhanced diagnostics.
WIDENED DATA INPUTS
Healthcare entities are proactively integrating patient-wearable devices into Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to facilitate patient-centric care. Moreover, the use of employee-owned devices like smartphones and tablets is burgeoning in healthcare delivery settings.
While these consumer devices offer mobility and connectivity advantages, organizations must prioritize data security and comply with regulatory standards. The survey highlights that nearly all participating healthcare organizations (98 percent) incorporate elements related to patient data protection within their bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies. Notably, elements concerning acceptable use and access control are most frequently included, aiming to balance device convenience with safeguarding sensitive information for effective patient care delivery.
ELEVATED DATA DIRECTION
The role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) in healthcare is undergoing a profound transformation amidst evolving priorities and emerging technologies. The 2023 survey observes the emergence of specialty leaders in domains like cybersecurity and innovation, delineating a shift in the historical CIO role.
While some of these new roles remain under the CIO’s purview, the trend emphasizes the necessity for healthcare organizations to define these roles about the CIO more distinctly. The evolving CIO role underscores the changing healthcare landscape, wherein technological advancements coupled with specialized leadership are reshaping organizational structures in many healthcare settings.
The emergence of specialized information security leaders underscores healthcare organizations’ acute awareness of escalating cybersecurity threats. Hiring dedicated professionals in this domain is deemed crucial for safeguarding patient data and critical healthcare systems. However, smaller organizations often lack dedicated security leaders, leading CIOs to assume these responsibilities due to resource constraints.
The report advocates tailored strategies to address cybersecurity challenges across diverse care settings, especially in smaller institutions. Technology partners and service firms have a significant role in aiding CIOs by providing guidance and education, particularly in addressing the evolving threat landscape faced by healthcare entities of varying sizes.
In the landscape of healthcare, the Digital Health Most Wired 2023 report underscores a paradigm shift towards leveraging data for enhanced patient outcomes. This transformation embraces advanced analytics, wearable tech integration, and evolving leadership roles, particularly in cybersecurity. Yet, integration challenges and resource limitations persist, posing hurdles for smaller institutions. Addressing these demands tailored strategies and support to navigate evolving healthcare complexities. As healthcare continues to evolve, the need for comprehensive data utilization strategies remains critical, driving innovation and adaptation across diverse healthcare settings.