HIMSS22: Connection, Equity, and The Patient Experience

The annual HIMSS22 conference in Orlando, FL, was a welcome return to in-person events with insightful sessions covering healthcare topics, such as data and information, health equity, and the patient experience. Healthcare industry leaders gathered to “reimagine health” amid the rising need for better connection in healthcare, health equity gaps, changing patient expectations. 

Here are the hot topics that made the rounds during HIMSS22.

TigerConnect Patient Engagement Simple and secure virtual communication for providers and patients   Download the Guide

 

Maintaining Connection

Tiffany Kuebler, medical director of clinical informatics at the University of Maryland Medical Center, led a digital health session that reaffirmed the importance of advanced communication platforms to keep clinicians connected. Through TigerConnect Clinical Collaboration, UMMS has achieved asynchronous and closed-loop communication, saving time and frustration. CC&C platforms benefit several provider workflows, building a digital foundation that brings context to disparate systems like the EHR.

“Make the technology work for you. That’s why we have it…so we can be more efficient in the stuff technology can’t do” -Tiffany Kuebler, PA-C, MMS

Come see the TigerConnect team at booth #5959 for a live demo of the platform enabling change at @umms #HIMSS22 pic.twitter.com/k9rWEUStE2

— TigerConnect (@TigerConnect) March 15, 2022

Improving Health Equity for 2022 and Beyond

The global pandemic shined a light on healthcare inequities, showing that patients of color suffer more negative outcomes than white patients. How do we close this gap in healthcare? ATW Health Solutions president and CEO Knitasha Washington and Chief Experience and Engagement Officer Kellie Goodson suggest that healthcare systems should examine qualitative data. This practice enables health systems to understand their most vulnerable population better and formulate impactful interventions. Additionally, Washington stressed the importance of including patient feedback at every planning stage.

“I can tell you that there is not a research project that I have done that has not had a person of interest or patient involved in the entire process,” Washington added. “When you meet people in an authentic space, and you’re really seeking to understand, not seeking to be understood – that goes a long way.” 

Great job to our @ATWHealth team presenting at #himss2022 #himss22 discussing “The Role of Data in Health Equity”. @drknitasha @kac0102 @2Ceerias #drknitasha #atwhealth #ppiconline #healthequity #qualityimprovement #healthcaretransformation #patientengagement pic.twitter.com/sr1Fsve0Fr

— Patient Partners Innovation Community (@PPIC_Online) March 16, 2022

Including Patients in the Patient Experience

Patient-centered care has been a major focus for many health systems over the past few years. While putting patients at the center of their care is a worthy initiative, is healthcare actually including patients? During The State of Patient Experience panel, Grace Cordovano, patient advocate and founder of Enlightening Results, challenged healthcare leaders to include patients and their families in decision-making.

“We need to dispel this myth that patients are too unengaged and non-compliant because we are very capable. Don’t discredit patients – welcome them in.” – Grace Cordovano.

Everyone says they are:
👉patient-centered
👉patient-friendly
👉patient-focused
👉putting the patient at the center of their care

but what we need to see is #PatientsIncluded. ✅

I’m looking forward to the day #PatientsIncluded is a matter of fact in the #healthcare ecosystem.

— Enlightening Results 🇵🇱❤️ 🇺🇦 (@GraceCordovano) March 18, 2022

HIMSS22 was full of insightful panels, educational sessions, and plenty of pinksocks connections. We look forward to seeing how healthcare leaders harness knowledge and technology to create a better healthcare ecosystem for all.

Tags: HIMSS22, Patient Experience, Patient Engagement, Clinical Collaboration, HIMSS