Ascendian Healthcare Consulting

One common thread that wove through this marketplace of ideas was that it is clearly no time for leaders to sit back and let the world go by. We have spent a number of years managing small change. With RIS and PACS fully adopted we have managed to maintain growth and stability with minor adjustments. Most of us have spent the last several years managing departments and groups with small software, hardware and equipment procurements. Even with decreasing reimbursement (the most significant issue over the past several years), the landscape has not changed for most since the adoption and stabilization of digital imaging and information systems. The risk here is that we have been lulled into complacency as organizational leaders who have stopped diligently crafting strategy or contributing to the executive and administrative conversation.That leads to the marginalization both your service line as well your leadership.

What are you doing to prepare for a new paradigm that is coming whether you are ready or not? Your PACS will no longer store images forever – what are you doing to build logic into your archive? Redundant systems cannot be supported in an integrated environment – what are you doing to simplify and standardize? Images will have to be shared both internally and externally – how are you positioned to share data? Image management will expand beyond Radiology into Cardiology, Ophthalmology, Visible Light and other specialties – how are you prepared technically to manage all of that image data? Fee-for-service is changing – how are you prepared for a shared savings reimbursement model? Capturing, managing and reporting radiation dose will likely become policy – how are you positioned to be a leader in patient safety? Outcomes and quality must be reported – how do you access the necessary data in ways that are intelligent, appropriate and efficient? Are you poised to provide evidence based medicine?

These are tough questions! If they don't make you uncomfortable you haven't spent enough time thinking about them. But they require honest answers.

The answers to these questions should be part of your Imaging Strategy. Do you have one? Have you brought together the necessary resources from administrative, clinical, technical and operational functions to discuss these questions and establish a strategy for the future of your business? As revenues decrease those who have developed a clear roadmap will be best positioned for success. Have you conducted an honest assessment of your current capabilities, strengths and weaknesses? Have you established a plan for how you will be ready for the changes that are coming? Have you started?

If you have answered not to more than one of these questions, stop reading and get going. Let's hope you're not too late.