Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1531585
29 CIO / HEALTH IT Cleveland Clinic's 'pod' concept for IT after mergers By Laura Dyrda M ergers and acquisitions are tough on health system IT teams. Workflow standardization and technology integration is a colossal task that becomes more difficult if the leadership team is focused on the digital product above service line alignment. Cleveland Clinic found this out the hard way. In a Dec. 31 blog post, Craig Baker, global growth and design director in the Cleveland Clinic's Information Technology Division, said the system worked with a vendor years ago t o develop expected workflows for the main campus service lines. But the workflows didn't evolve with new applications or as roles expanded, and stewardship diminished. Aer examining the successes and pain points from previous mergers, the system developed the "pod" concept: a structured process for standardizing the caregiver experience aer mergers. e "pod" included team members from the Information Technology Division service lines, construction and infrastructure, cybersecurity, physician and nursing informatics, clinical engineering integrations and more for a service-line focused approach. Pods were designed to identify and elevate "valuable input." "With a product-centric approach, there's no accountability for the end-to-end workflows that drive a service line," said Mr. Baker. "e product owners and analysts are focused on their specific application build. is mindset creates tremendous workflow gaps and downstream issues." But the "pod" concept focused on service line success and pod members could take expertise back to the local level to adjust workflows, roles and efficiencies. ey could also share potential risks and prevent issues for IT go-lives. e pod approach requires teams to identify technical and leadership experts to own documentation and change management for workflows. "Having a service-line focus has shown us that integrating technology is much more than providing digital tools," said Mr. Barker. "It's about collaborative problem-solving, building trust and fostering connections." n Healthcare's top cybersecurity challenges By Naomi Diaz S taffing shortages have been identified as the top cybersecurity challenge facing healthcare organizations, a Jan. 2 report from KLAS found. The report underscores that smaller organizations, particularly those with fewer than 500 beds, face the greatest difficulties. Many of these organizations have security teams too small to manage the growing workload, leaving them ill-equipped to address increasing cybersecurity demands. Between January and October, KLAS interviewed 70 healthcare organizations to explore their cybersecurity priorities, challenges, vendor partnerships, and perspectives on AI's role in strengthening cybersecurity efforts. Respondents outlined seven key challenges healthcare organizations face when it comes to cybersecurity: 1. Staffing shortages 2. Budget constraints 3. Ongoing cybersecurity threats 4. Incident preparedness 5. Training, awareness, and compliance 6. Organizational alignment and priorities 7. Outdated technology n Orlando Health hospital- at-home program treats 2,000th patient: 5 things to know By Alan Condon O rlando (Fla.) Health's Hospital Care at Home has served more than 2,000 patients in Central Florida since launching in February 2023. Five things to know: 1. The program was the first in Central Florida to be approved for Medicare and Medicaid patients and recently began accepting participating commercial insurances. 2. Orlando Health admitted its 1,000th patient into the program in June. 3. To be eligible, a patient's home must be a safe environment located within the determined geographical catchment area in case emergency care is required. 4. Medical conditions that can be cared for safely in the home-based program include: cellulitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, urinary tract infection, heart failure, COVID-19, pneumonia, gastroenteritis , acute pancreatitis, multiple sclerosis flare-ups, sepsis and vasculitis. 5. Portable technology connects patients to Orlando Health's patient care hub for 24/7 remote monitoring and virtual care by nurses and providers. Patients receive daily in-person care from nurses, along with virtual provider and consultant visits. Mobile imaging, labs, dietary services and therapy are provided as ordered. n