CITIH - Failed connections and how traditional communications technology hurts healthcare

Daniel Sands from Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group presented this session.

There are two types of connections:

1. Data connections
2. Human connections

There are many tools for communication but in Health care we are stuck on four technologies:

1. Phone
2. Pager
3. Fax
4. Face-to-Face

Is this why people have trouble connecting to each other?

65% of Nurses spend 10-60 mins per shift trying to reach staff

66% search more than one channel to reach staff

84% siad that time spent reaching staff impacted patient care.

Transitions

Transitions are a normal occurrence in Health Care. Risk is 6-fold during transitions.

We need to think about the big picture and the necessary transitions right from the start.

Transitions need collaborative planning.

"Transition Planning is a Stress Test for a Health System"

"Technology is necessary but not sufficient to solve these problems"

Collaborative tools are needed for ad hoc teams.

• IP telephony
• Video calls (skype, AIM, Telepresence)

Cisco has adapted Telepresence with health monitoring to create HealthPresence.

Throwing technology at the problem increases complexity. We need to think about workflow. Focus on simplicity and effectiveness. This is the idea behind unified communications.

Presence is an important part of unified communications. Who is available to communicate with and what vehicle is available to communicate with them.

Communication lapses contribute to 70% of "Sentinel events"

Communication challenges cost the USA $4B per year in nursing costs.

When all costs are accounted for communications challenges cost $25B per year. Changing the communication paradigm and technology could save 75% of that wastage.

"Points of Pride" at Ohio State Medical Center:

• Personalized Health Care
• Research Excellence
• Patient Care Excellence
• Educational Excellence

All are supported by Communication, Coordination and Collaboration.

Why has health care been such a slow adopter of new technology: "We Stick with what we know"

What is Cisco's roadmap to plug the patient in?