The 21st Century Healthcare CIO: "Survival Of The Fittest"

By Christopher Kunney, CPHIT, ESMOT

There’s a fascinating quote by the world-renowned British naturalist Charles Robert Darwin.  It states: “Species that survive are usually not the smartest or the strongest, but the ones most responsive to change." 

I believe this theory is not only applicable to the animal kingdom, but to the changing role of the healthcare chief information officer (CIO).

There’s a new world in which healthcare CIOs are asked to exist.  In this new environment, the challenge is no longer to simply manage information services departments or to buy “best of breed” hardware and software.  The role has become much more ambiguous, visionary, and political.  CIOs are not asked to simply focus on the tactical activities of the department, but more on the overall strategy of the healthcare organization.

According to a recent article on Healthcare Informatics Online, today’s CIO must be successful in collaborating with executive-level management within the organization.  They must be able to sit down with the CEO, CFO, COO, chief medical officer, and board of directors to competently discuss how they can leverage information technology to help support and meet the business goals of the organization.

Furthermore, they are also responsible for leading technology transformational initiatives that address today’s business challenges.  For example:

• Reducing medication errors via CPOE (Computerized Patient Order Entry) systems
• Maintaining HIPPA compliance
• Addressing security threats
• Investing in PACs technology and tiered storage management
• Implementing wireless systems and connecting to remote locations
• Developing High Speed Networks and client/server systems

In this changing environment, CIOs are also asked to keep information technology (IT) spending flat or manage projects under reduced budgets.  The 21st-century healthcare CIO has the unenviable task of trying to address the needs of the executives, clinicians, staff, government, and most importantly, the patient through the use of information technology.  
 
And to make things more interesting, Congress just recently provided the healthcare industry a well-deserved financial boost by way of President Obama’s Economic Stimulus Plan.  However, with a focus on enhancing the use of electronic medical records (EMRs), patient health records (PHRs), electronic health records (EHRs), and the interoperability challenges they bring, most healthcare CIOs are asking themselves: “What impact will this have on my organization?  And what new challenges/issues now sit at my doorstep as a result of this new initiative?”

So how does today’s healthcare CIO survive and even thrive in today’s demanding environment?  What skills are essential to their success?  

Most industry experts would agree those who are successful in this field generally exhibit the following attributes/traits:

• Capable of leading and facilitating organizational change/transformation.
• Able to understand the organization’s business strategy and articulate a value proposition for leveraging IT solutions in support of that strategy.
• Skilled in managing IT operations in a cost-effective manner.
• Possesses the ability to motivate, inspire, and support staff development.
• Can effectively partner with executives, clinicians, staff, and vendors.
• Understands all aspects of compliance requirements and issues.
• Able to develop an understanding of the different technologies and surround themselves with subject-matter experts in each.

The role of the CIO is critical to the success of most healthcare organizations today.  Finding the right individual who can take on this challenge can resemble searching for the proverbial “needle in a haystack.” 

Many IT professionals, clinicians, and business leaders been asked to assume the challenges this role has to offer.  Yet only a few possess the unique qualities necessary to confront the obstacles that face IT executives daily.  When considering a potential candidate for this position, one must appreciate that this is an extremely demanding, multi-faceted, and ever-evolving role.  

Seasoned CIOs are now some of the most sought-after business professionals of the 21st century.