Just got back from my virtual hospital tour - I was at Mission Community Hospital in Van Nuys, California. Like Anthony said, it's always helpful to talk to people on the phone, but there's nothing like actually being there in person. Like, for example, driving down Roscoe Boulevard to this small community hospital and seeing the massive buildings of Kaiser Permanente looming a few blocks away. That's THEIR reality. Will be posting the pictures soon... right now I'm working on a story about medication administration: "Closing the Loop" Parts I, II and III and you know what they are if you're in this biz. Part I is on my desk now-- the patient encounter and the physician medication order, and the transmission of that order to the pharmacy. Is CPOE necessary to do a really good job? I'd love to hear from any CIOs who are doing this well or have something they want to share. Write to me. Anyway, glad I got home before American Airlines screwed up the airports but I miss those tacos already.
