Recommendations for digitizing

Health Management Technology, May, 2005

Hospitals in the process of digitizing on average spend three percent to five percent of their operating budgets on technology, let business strategy determine technology strategy, and invest heavily in organizational development and cultural change, according to new research by PricewaterhouseCoopers. Recommendations in the study, called "Reactive to Adaptive: Transforming Hospitals with Digital Technology," include:

* Start with strategic business planning and engage the hospital board;

* Involve physicians, patients and payers when planning;

* Interweave process and organizational design with technology acquisition and implementation;

* Recognize that substantial benefits may not appear until a sufficient level of automation has been reached (a tipping point);

* Pick system boundaries carefully;

* Support the development of new roles and skills--e.g., clinicians training in informatics.

To register to download the document, visit www.pwc.com/digitalhealth or to obtain a hard copy of the 36-page brochure, e-mail healthcare@us.pwc.com.