Scottsdale Institute CIO Summit Highlights the IT Challenges in Creating Clinically Integrated Networks

MINNEAPOLIS and CHICAGO - Driven by the accelerating trend toward alternative payment models that reward quality rather than volume, CIOs from some of the nation's leading health systems gathered at the recent Scottsdale Institute (SI) Annual Conference to share experiences in the IT challenges of building clinically integrated networks, a key underpinning of value-based, accountable care.

Last year's passage of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), which rapidly accelerates the transition to value-based payments, has especially spurred health systems to optimize and expand their clinically integrated networks, which enable all the physicians and care-team members involved with a patient to share timely and accurate data and coordinate that care for the highest efficiency, quality and patient satisfaction possible.

Insights and lessons learned from the discussion held in April as part of the SI Conference "Managing Health and Care Across the Continuum," are outlined in the report, "Creating Clinically Integrated Networks: Challenges, Successes, Lessons Learned."

"This was our fifth CIO Summit and we look forward to more opportunities to bring senior executives together through this valuable networking and collaboration activity, which is at the center of our mission at SI," said Shelli Williamson, Executive Director, Scottsdale Institute. "The discussion on 'Creating Clinically Integrated Networks' gave CIOs an opportunity to dive into the IT challenges of doing this within the context of the overall Conference theme of 'Managing Health and Care Across the Continuum.'  At SI Conferences, member CEOs, CMOs, CIOs and other senior executives participate and share their experiences and perspectives on current challenges such as these."

The CIO Summit was hosted by Scottsdale Institute, a not-for-profit membership organization of health systems advanced in IT, supported by Impact Advisors, a healthcare IT consultancy and moderated by Ralph Wakerly of C-Suite Resources. The CIOs in attendance included:

Mary Alice Annecharico – Henry Ford Health System Mark Barner – Ascension David Bensema, M.D. – Baptist Health Kentucky George Conklin – CHRISTUS Health David Graham, MD – Memorial Health System Kyle Johnson – Eastern Maine Health System Ken Lawonn – Sharp HealthCare Gerry Lewis – Ascension Information Services Patrick O'Hare – Spectrum Health David Pecoraro – SCL Health Bruce Smith – Advocate Health Care Rebecca Sykes – Mercy Health Jim Veline – Avera Health Laishy Williams-Carlson – Bon Secours Health System

"The Scottsdale Institute is an ideal setting for collaboration among fellow CIOs across the membership and to discuss the strategic interests and challenges we share in the emerging climates of CINs, Cybersecurity and Data Analytics," said Mary Alice Annecharico, senior VP and CIO at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. "SI also allows us to compare our organizations against comprehensive SI benchmarking metrics."  

"As value-based payment models continue to accelerate, healthcare CIOs must take steps now rather than later to prepare for the changes if they want to be successful," said Andy Smith, President, Impact Advisors. "It's crucial for CIOs to share early challenges and best practices with one another as they embark on this journey together and we are proud to partner with the Scottsdale Institute, an organization that makes this meaningful collaboration possible."  

"Creating Clinically Integrated Networks: Challenges, Successes, Lessons Learned," highlights five key recommendations to help guide health systems in this critical area of value-based care.  A copy of the report is downloadable for free at www.scottsdaleinstitute.org and at www.impact-advisors.com.     

About Scottsdale Institute

The Scottsdale Institute (SI) is a not-for-profit membership organization of leading healthcare systems whose goal is to support its members on their journey to clinical integration, innovation, and transformation through information technology. SI facilitates knowledge sharing and collaboration among senior executives and their teams across the enterprise. We provide intimate and informal forums that accomplish this goal through collaboration, education & networking. For more information, visit www.scottsdaleinstitute.org.

About Impact Advisors

Impact Advisors is a nationally recognized healthcare information technology consulting firm that is solving some of the toughest challenges in the industry by delivering strategic advisory, implementation and optimization services. Our comprehensive suite of patient access, clinical and revenue cycle services span the lifecycle of our clients' needs. Our experienced team has a powerful combination of clinical, revenue, operations, consulting and IT experience. The firm has earned a number of prestigious industry and workplace awards including Best in KLAS® for eight consecutive years, Healthcare Informatics HCI 100, Crain's Chicago Business Fast Fifty, as well as "best place to work" awards from: Modern Healthcare, Consulting Magazine, Becker's Hospital Review and Achievers. For more information about Impact Advisors, visit www.impact-advisors.com.