Improved Data Accessibility for Clinicians: Accelerating Health System Connections

Improved Data Accessibility for Clinicians: Accelerating Health System Connections

In Greensboro, North Carolina, Cone Health is revolutionizing healthcare delivery through a modern data analytics program and strategic cloud implementation. The health organization's latest move involves partnering with LeanTaaS to transform its operating room (OR) scheduling and utilization workflows, replacing outdated processes with a data-driven system that offers real-time, transparent data access to surgeons and all stakeholders [1].

Key aspects of this optimization include real-time data alerts and transparency, improved workflows and governance, and significant labor and efficiency gains. The system sends customized alerts to staff about any schedule adjustments, helping to coordinate surgeons, nurses, equipment, and vendors efficiently. Establishing robust governance for OR block allocation streamlines coordination and reduces underutilization, while the innovations have led to saving over 220 labor hours per day systemwide and a 98% reduction in vendor coordination calls, improving overall OR throughput and day-of-surgery timelines [1].

Beyond OR scheduling, Cone Health is also leveraging cloud technology for its electronic health record (EHR) system. Although specific details on the cloud implementation are not explicitly detailed, the use of a modern AI-driven platform integrated with existing systems likely involves cloud-based data analytics to aggregate and analyze operational data in real time. This enhances decision-making and resource management, supporting Cone Health’s mission of delivering efficient, patient-centered care.

Cone Health is not alone in embracing technology to improve healthcare delivery. TMC Health, another healthcare organization, utilizes predictive analytics within its EHR system to identify patients at risk of serious infection. An algorithm in TMC Health's EHR identifies such patients and provides clear alerts to avert potential disasters [2]. Dr. Joshua Lee, Senior Vice President and CIO at TMC Health, aims to make clinical data easy, pleasant, and curated for bedside use.

Meanwhile, Dr. Jeetu Nanda, the Chief Medical Information Officer at Cone Health, is another leader in healthcare IT with over 20 years of experience working with data. Under his leadership, Cone Health is now using software enhanced with artificial intelligence and machine learning to read digital films and automatically forward findings to clinicians. One of the benefits of the cloud, according to Nanda, is increased space for data storage. Prior to moving to the cloud, Cone Health housed patient data exclusively in its on-premises servers.

In terms of data security and disaster recovery, Nanda adds that these aspects are more reliable in the cloud. Cone Health uses NetApp for data storage and management, and LCMC Health, another healthcare organization, uses NetApp's SnapMirror software to replicate data on-premises and in the cloud for disaster recovery. LCMC Health's database architecture also supports a wide range of data transfer protocols to allow providers to interface with the health system's EHR on their preferred devices.

As healthcare organizations continue to adapt to the digital age, Cone Health's approach exemplifies how leveraging real-time data analytics combined with cloud-enabled solutions for EHR systems can optimize clinical operations and improve care delivery without large capital investments in physical infrastructure.

References: [1] Cone Health. (2021). Cone Health Transforms Operating Room Scheduling and Utilization Workflows with LeanTaaS. Retrieved from https://www.conehealth.com/news/cone-health-transforms-operating-room-scheduling-and-utilization-workflows-with-lean-taas [2] Healthcare IT News. (2021). TMC Health Sciences Center implements EHR predictive analytics for patient safety. Retrieved from https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/tmc-health-sciences-center-implements-ehr-predictive-analytics-patient-safety

1. Science and technology advancements are revolutionizing healthcare delivery, with Cone Health in Greensboro, North Carolina leading the way through a modern data analytics program and strategic cloud implementation.
2. The health organization has partnered with LeanTaaS to transform operating room (OR) scheduling and utilization workflows, replacing outdated processes with a data-driven system.
3. Key aspects of this optimization include real-time data alerts and transparency, improved workflows and governance, and significant labor and efficiency gains.
4. The system sends customized alerts to staff about any schedule adjustments, helping to coordinate surgeons, nurses, equipment, and vendors efficiently.
5. Establishing robust governance for OR block allocation streamlines coordination and reduces underutilization.
6. Innovations have led to saving over 220 labor hours per day systemwide and a 98% reduction in vendor coordination calls, improving overall OR throughput and day-of-surgery timelines.
7. Beyond OR scheduling, Cone Health is also leveraging cloud technology for its electronic health record (EHR) system.
8. Another healthcare organization, TMC Health, utilizes predictive analytics within its EHR system to identify patients at risk of serious infection.
9. Dr. Joshua Lee, Senior Vice President and CIO at TMC Health, aims to make clinical data easy, pleasant, and curated for bedside use.
10. At Cone Health, Dr. Jeetu Nanda, the Chief Medical Information Officer, is using software enhanced with artificial intelligence and machine learning to read digital films and automatically forward findings to clinicians.
11. One of the benefits of the cloud, according to Nanda, is increased space for data storage.
12. Prior to moving to the cloud, Cone Health housed patient data exclusively in its on-premises servers.
13. In terms of data security and disaster recovery, Nanda adds that these aspects are more reliable in the cloud.
14. Cone Health uses NetApp for data storage and management, while LCMC Health, another healthcare organization, uses NetApp's SnapMirror software for data replication on-premises and in the cloud for disaster recovery.
15. LCMC Health's database architecture also supports a wide range of data transfer protocols to allow providers to interface with the health system's EHR on their preferred devices.
16. As healthcare organizations continue to adapt to the digital age, Cone Health's approach exemplifies how leveraging real-time data analytics combined with cloud-enabled solutions for EHR systems can optimize clinical operations and improve care delivery without large capital investments in physical infrastructure.
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