A majority of healthcare executives expect IT budgets to increase in the next two years, but doing more with less remains a major reality, according to a survey from Peak 10.
The poll of 157 C-level executives and healthcare IT pros found staffing a major worry, whether in dealing with increasing security threats or the increasing need for a data-savvy workforce.
The survey results revolved around three major themes:
- Cloud adoption: Healthcare organizations increasingly are turning to IT outsourcing, including cloud-based software, co-location of data and disaster recovery. The applications they're most likely to send to the cloud include electronic health records (EHRs), human resources/payroll and email.
- IT as revenue driver: Organizations are looking to initiatives such as patient portals and EHRs to stand out in the market and increase business.
- Security and compliance: Security and data privacy remain top priorities, though threats are increasing and changing compliance requirements remain a frustration. While decision-makers say budgets are increasing, they still report being constrained in terms of talent and other resources.
Consolidations of hospitals, vendors and applications are creating their own issues that have to be kept in mind in procurement decisions.
EHR migrations are taking place more quickly than expected and remain a priority, as well.
The authors predict that mobility and patient portals will have the greatest impact on patient experiences in the next two to five years.
To learn more:
- download the report