Innovating Healthcare with Dr. Roberta Schwartz, EVP and Chief Innovation Officer, Houston Methodist Hospital
In a recent episode of the “Smart From The Start” podcast, Dr. Roberta Schwartz joined host Molly McCarthy, former CEO of HIMSS, to discuss Houston Methodist’s efforts to advance and expand its digital innovation platforms, including telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and big data in their journey to becoming a Smart Hospital.
Defining a Smart Hospital
The concept of a Smart Hospital extends beyond the mere implementation of new technologies. It’s about hospitals rethinking and reshaping interactions with patients and how systems staff and manage the institution. Historically, healthcare has been slow to change. As one of Houston Methodist nurses remarked, “We’ve been doing vital signs every four hours since doctors smoked in hospitals.” This illustrates how ingrained certain practices are.
The electronic medical record (EMR) is at the heart of Houston Methodist’s transformation, a foundational piece serving as a patient information repository. However, it’s not enough for the EMR to simply store data—caregivers need to make it work for them, leveraging it to improve patient care and operational efficiency.
Innovation at Houston Methodist
Houston Methodists’ approach to innovation is multifaceted. Unlike many institutions that sought external disruptors from tech giants like Google or Uber, they recognized the unique complexities of healthcare. The strategy involved marrying operational expertise with IT and partnering with external innovators to adapt their solutions to their specific needs.
This collaboration isn’t about ownership or profit; it’s about enhancing patient care by providing operational know-how and integrating these innovations into Houston Methodists’ systems, assisting companies in understanding and navigating the intricate healthcare environment. The goal is to ignite the fire of innovation, allowing the entire healthcare system to benefit from its warmth and light.
Embracing Change and Overcoming Resistance
Innovation often encounters resistance. People naturally prefer predictability, and the uncertainty that comes with change can be daunting. The teams at Houston Methodist are small but mighty, working tirelessly to integrate new technologies while managing the day-to-day operations of a large academic medical center.
Houston Methodist understands that change is challenging. There’s a period of adjustment where initial enthusiasm might give way to pushback. Preparing for this and addressing concerns is crucial. For example, the implementation of a virtual ICU faced significant resistance initially. However, the advent of COVID-19 underscored its value, transforming skeptics into supporters almost overnight.
Balancing Innovation and Operations
Having a foot in both innovation and operations gives Houston Methodist a unique advantage. It ensures that any new technology or process we introduce is not only innovative but also practical and sustainable. We don’t just develop ideas; we implement them and live with the outcomes. This dual perspective is essential for meaningful change.
In many industries, AI and automation are already standard. In healthcare, we’re still catching up. Houston Methodist is working on systems that can analyze operating room videos to identify breaches in sterile techniques or track housekeeping activities to ensure thorough cleaning. These innovations can significantly improve efficiency and patient safety.
The Road Ahead
Houston Methodists’ journey is far from over. They’re exploring natural language processing to enhance patient interactions and predictive analytics to anticipate patient needs before they become critical. These efforts require collaboration with industry partners and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Innovation is our friend, though it’s often complicated and not easy. But the challenges are worth it. By changing the way we operate and integrating new technologies thoughtfully, we can make healthcare more efficient and effective.
Conclusion
For those in leadership roles within healthcare—CIOs, CTOs, CMIOs, and CNIOs— Roberta’s advice is to embrace innovation. Build strong partnerships with operational leaders, communicate the vision, and be prepared for the inevitable challenges. Change is hard, but it’s essential for progress. At Houston Methodist, they’re not just talking about the future of healthcare; they’re building it, one smart innovation at a time.
Innovation is not just about the latest technology; it’s about reimagining how we deliver care. Together, we can create a smarter, more efficient, and more compassionate healthcare system. Let’s embrace this journey with open minds and dedicated hearts.
For more insights and best practices on AI and ambient intelligence in healthcare, visit smarthospital.ai and care.ai.