Judith R. Sands spoke to attendees yesterday afternoon about joining the 21st century by 'breaking down the silos and joining the lingo.' She began the concurrent session by asking, "How many work with software that forces you to do illogical steps?" The audience laughed and reluctantly raised their hands. But, in fact, software is intended to automate manual processes – to make them more efficient, reliable, and trustworthy.

Sands covered some of the benefits of health IT, including its convenience, security, clinical decision support, data quality, efficiencies, population health management, research, and personal monitoring. An effective health IT system results in decreases in cost per diagnosis, lower lengths of stay, and fewer stays, yet 38% of organizations have had to scale back at least one health IT project due to short IT staffing. 

So when assessing your own organization, ask these questions to help break down silos and move the needle in the right direction.  

1. How are clinicians and patients connected?
2. What tools are made available?  
3. Do your [company's] tools make life easier for the patients and providers?