Yes, Xpio Health will be at HIMSS this year. And since we specialize in Behavioral Health, let me take a minute to explain why. Although the organizations Xpio Health works with tend to be familiar with acronyms like NIMH, SATVA, NCCBH, and MHCA, the letters in HIMSS tend to be less familiar.
So, HIMSS stands for Health Information and Management Systems Society. “HIMSS is a cause-based, not-for-profit organization exclusively focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of healthcare.” Read more about HIMSS here; http://www.himss.org/ASP/aboutHimssHome.asp
Now that we know the what, let me explain the why.
Reason 1 – The pace of technology in healthcare is blistering these days. And much of that innovation is targeted at the primary care marketplace. But take heart behavioral healthcare providers – the enduring and useful aspects of those innovations will quickly move throughout the healthcare marketplace. And, remember that innovation is a two way street between Primary Care and Behavioral Health (Telemedicine anyone?). And there is a silver lining to being downstream the innovation channel – not all innovations actually improve the quality of care and it’s sometimes nice to be off the bleeding edge. Or at least a little less painful.
Reason 2 – Collaborating with primary care is important. And not just because it makes good sense for your clients. It may also make good sense for your strategy, your bottom line, and yes, your future business model. And although predicting the future of healthcare and the impact of reform on today’s healthcare environment is beyond the scope of this article (i’ll tackle it in the next one…), Medical Home, Accountable Care Organizations, and the ongoing pressure on the payment systems, are going to drive collaboration between a variety of providers and systems. And what does collaboration have to do with HIMSS?
Well, collaboration in today’s healthcare environment happens very significantly at an informational level. And in order to collaborate at an informational level, you have to be able to share information. And in order to do that, you need technology. And HIMSS has lots of that.
So, we’ll see you at HIMSS! And if not this year, then maybe next?
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