The CHIME “Digital Health Most Wired” program conducts an annual survey to identify, recognize, and certify the adoption, implementation, and use of IT by healthcare organizations. During a recent webinar, we shared a model that has helped Avera Health on our journey to reaching Level 10 designation. Whether you’re a longtime survey respondent or newly involved in the program, these tips for successful participation provide insight into working collaboratively and serve as best practices that can be implemented at your organization.
Getting started
The ‘Digital Health Most Wired’ program is a commitment to a deep dive assessment of how extensively and effectively healthcare IT has been deployed across your organization. However, it’s not just an IT project or technology survey. Using the time and resources to participate heightens awareness of health IT, creates operational engagement, and provides a roadmap for industry innovation.
When building out a project timeline, it is important to start the data collection process early because the breadth and depth of questions spans across all departments. Give yourself ample time to assemble a team, compile data, and review survey responses. All responses should be housed in a central location to help create a single source of truth.
From a staffing perspective, assigning a point person to manage the project ensures timely responses. They can also leverage responses from prior years, identify stakeholders, and involve point team members for each survey segment (i.e. infrastructure, security, analytics and data management, etc.) to drive accountability and organizational buy-in.
Survey benefits
While the survey may seem like an extensive investment, it pays dividends as a comprehensive tool that betters your organization and improves patient care. Survey results provide an industry-standard measurement of organizational performance and other benefits including:
- A reliable benchmark that shows where you stand against your peers
- An operational assessment providing insight into areas for improvement that can inform strategies and decision making for the future
- A demonstrable ROI on prior IT initiatives which can gain support for future investments.
By validating processes and outcomes, the survey empowers organizations to focus on quality and informs decision-making. CHIME also provides a detailed assessment of your results that can serve as a playbook for identifying areas to invest in and improve upon. Their feedback shows how using better tools in better ways can solve difficult clinical problems, demonstrating the value of cutting-edge solutions.
At Avera Health, we take pride in the infrastructure and operational excellence necessary to support our large healthcare network and rural footprint. Participating in the survey isn’t as simple as checking off a box on the annual to-do list. Its methodology is embedded in our core values and corporate strategy. Whether you are close to reaching level 10 designation or just starting out on your Most Wired journey, completing the survey provides valuable results that will improve patient outcomes through technology.
Complete the form below to share your interest in the CHIME 'Digital Health Most Wired' survey and be sure to join us for our educational session webinar to learn more about the program.
