Building a Better, Smarter, Healthcare Delivery System
— Rachel Phillips Terry, Corporate Vice President, Sales, BioIQ —
Industry professionals attended HIMSS16 in record numbers last week, the largest showing ever for this annual healthcare technology conference. The BioIQ team joined more than 40,000 attendees in Las Vegas for five days of panel discussions, keynote presentations, product launches, hundreds of educational sessions and exciting after-hours events. Hot topics ran the gamut from interoperability, population health, patient and participant engagement to mobile trends in health.
One of the most interesting keynotes took place on the second day of the conference when Dr. Karen B. DeSalvo, a high ranking official at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HSS), described the current efforts underway to reform our nation’s healthcare delivery system. Andy Slavitt, the Acting Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), joined Dr. DeSalvo. These two health officials summarized national healthcare trends and achievements, such as a three-fold growth in the adoption rate of electronic medical records (EMR). They went on to give attendees a preview of their ongoing goals and upcoming focus areas:
- Pay providers differently, with an emphasis on value rather than volume
- Emphasize patient-centered care
- Analyze EMR data to discern trends and share insights that positively impact point-of-care delivery methods
Here’s an interesting fact: $1 out of every $3 dollars spent on U.S. healthcare is under HHS control. This makes this agency ideally suited to create an open, connected community of health. According to Dr. DeSalvo, HSS is dedicated to helping consumers easily and securely access their records, and to ensure that those records are based on federally recognized national interoperability standards. These standards currently cover 90 percent of the inpatient market across 46 states, she said.
BioIQ team members strike a pose between sessions.
Showcasing EMR Interoperability
Another major draw for HIMSS attendees was the HIMSS Interoperability Showcase™, which demonstrated how providers and patients can obtain secure and reliable access to electronic health information. Conference-goers also took advantage of networking receptions and educational opportunities on the exhibition floor, where more than 1,200 companies showcased innovative products and services, including the must-see cyber security command center.
On Friday, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning closed out the conference with a keynote focused on leadership, teamwork and overcoming adversity. “I’ve been on the receiving end of your efforts,” the reigning Super Bowl champ told the crowd. “I can’t even come close to doing what you do.”
Check out this video of the action: https://www.himssconference.org/updates/himss16-pre-conference-monday-tuesday-highlights
Rachel Phillips Terry