Healthcare organizations pursue merger and acquisition (M&A) deals for many reasons, including increased capacity, economies of scale and improved productivity.² When executed properly, mergers or acquisitions in healthcare can be extremely valuable, but they also present challenges, particularly in the standardization of technologies across multiple sites. Finding applications that are compatible with the assets each site has in place can be difficult. This article focuses on the critical consideration of selecting a cardiology data management system that can help healthcare organizations navigate these changes effectively.
Interoperability issues often occur during M&A, with management and mapping between EMRs becoming problematic. The cardiac data management system selected should be interoperable with the other devices and systems within the organization. Clinical continuity between different sites and departments is important to ensure crucial patient information is accessible across a growing enterprise. When looking for software that will be successful throughout an enterprise, it is crucial to evaluate the whole picture.
Questions To Keep In Mind:
1. Can legacy data be easily migrated?
2. What EMR systems will need to be integrated?
3. Will results be immediately accessible in the EMR?
4. What are the different device manufacturers or modalities that existing applications will need to communicate with?
With a dynamic IT infrastructure it is important to select a cardiology data management technology partner that is scalable and able to adapt to needs as things change within an organization over the course of M&A. Ideally, this technology partner would be able to work in phases and be able to communicate with all the vendors and EMR systems an enterprise has or plans to adopt. Part of evaluating a partners scalability should also include their ability to adapt to emerging trends and technologies in the healthcare industry, like cloud hosting options.
Each organization has unique requirements and workflows, so it’s important to consider how cost-effective potential solutions can be. An organization wants to be able to expand and enhance clinical workflows as budget permits and needs change; A technology partner that can grow with the organization is key to this. If an organization has thought about implementing several software solutions that can be otherwise accomplished by only one, consolidating can make things easier on the IT department and clinical end users. Whether seller or buyer, healthcare organizations must first focus on simplifying their portfolios and the systems and personnel who support them. Until they attend to this, they are liable to spend more and hinder efficiency with manual workflows.
Questions To Keep In Mind:
1. How many modalities are they compatible with?
2. What other vendors are they compatible with?
3. Will they charge an integration fee every time a new modality is added?
4. Does the potential partner have a cloud solution?
5. Will the new system allow physicians to read and interpret remotely?
When approaching a decision to select a diagnostic data management partner, it is important to consider the process the company has established for its customers after the sale. Additionally, standardizing across the enterprise can help efficiently address complaints. With fewer vendors and data management systems to manage, a direct complaint handling process can be established.
Questions To Keep In Mind:
1. How seamless is the implementation process?
2. How long will it take to train providers?
3. Will access to a live representative be available when there is a question or support issue?
The chosen cardiology data management system should offer a broad range of features to cater to the diverse needs of the merged organization. Clinical functions should aid in efficient and accurate reading, editing and confirmation of studies. Administrative functions are also important to consider. For example, modules such as advanced tracking and logging help with legal tasks and healthcare information management; Comprehensive reporting tools help to retain revenue with automated billing and determine workflow efficiency going forward.
Selecting the right cardiology data management system post-merger or acquisition is a critical step towards standardizing sites and improving operations. By considering the factors outlined above, healthcare organizations can make informed decisions that will contribute to their long-term success.
