Embracing a Collaborative Mindset: Revolutionizing Healthcare Technology Through Partnerships

Let’s face it, healthcare technology can be a real headache. From navigating complex electronic health records (EHR), to trying to engage patients in their own care, it can feel like an uphill battle.    

Healthcare technology has come a long way, from clunky systems to the cutting-edge digital solutions we have today. But how did we get here?   I think to answer that question accurately, it is important to first understand why and how we got to the place we are at today. I believe it boils down to a multitude of things: regulatory requirements, interoperability mandates, and the need for innovation, just to name a few. But overall, it was and still is just a simple need.  A need to be better, a need to improve.  So, how did we get here? I believe the answer to that is tied to strategic partnerships and the rise of third-party vendor integrations. 

Certainly, regulations have helped ensure that disparate systems communicate and share information, but it is oftentimes the sub-components of these systems that are sometimes seen as an afterthought that I am most interested in.  Third-party vendors often have solutions that fill a specific need, a specific use case that is a component of the patient journey or care continuum.  Alone they are just a piece of the puzzle, but together with other technologies, they can create more efficient and cost-effective solutions. 

MEDITECH, a leading EHR vendor, announced its Alliance program earlier this year with a goal to create a better ecosystem of solution vendors to support their health system clients. Interlace Health was named an Innovation Partner, providing the ability for a deeper integration between our eSignature solutions and the Meditech Expanse EHR. As a result, nurses, doctors, and patients will get a seamless workflow when completing registration, consenting, and discharge documentation. 

But customers are looking for all their vendors’ products to work well together – not simply work with the EHR. At the MEDITECH Live 2023 event, a Midwestern CIO shared this request: “I need all of you guys (3rd party vendors) to work well together so my patients and doctors have a hassle-free experience”. Along those lines, we are working with key members of the MEDITECH ecosystem, including Forward Advantage, to make sure that our solutions are not only compatible with each other but that the workflows are optimized. 

 Bottom line, the Healthcare Technology industry needs partnerships to help ensure improvement and innovation continue.  Partnerships with, and among, third-party vendors provide the extra boost of support and expertise that can make all the difference.   There is not one size fits all.  This is no truer now than it will be in the future; gaps in functionality exist and will probably continue to exist.  Which is why partnerships are so important.  To create a full-scale solution, one that fits the needs of each unique organization, it is crucial that technology vendors have partnerships that enable them to work together in a united front.  

With these partnerships, healthcare organizations can access cutting-edge technology, gain valuable insights, and tap into specialized knowledge and experience. 

About the Author:

Kristin Shores is a results-driven Strategic Partner Executive with a proven track record of cultivating and nurturing high-value partnerships that drive business growth and innovation. With over a decade of experience in the field, Kristin’s expertise lies at the intersection of relationship-building, strategic planning, and business development. As a strategic thinker, Kristin leverages her comprehensive knowledge of market trends and emerging technologies to craft innovative partnership strategies that position her organizations at the forefront of their respective industries. Her ability to adapt to evolving market landscapes and pivot with agility has been instrumental in delivering sustainable growth.”