1st Annual HIMSS EMEA Leadership Survey

IT helps reduce medical errors and improve patient satisfaction

Published: 10/24

VIENNA, AUSTRIA - (HealthTech Wire) - Improving the quality of care and increasing the need for health care services represent the two most frequently identified two business issues for information communications and technology (ICT) professionals in Europe, Middle East and Africa, according to results of a new survey released today at the World of Health IT 2007 conference.

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) launched the annual survey to collect information about IT priorities, technology adoption, application usage and other crucial factors in the use of IT to enhance healthcare. In the EMEA region, 192 senior healthcare professionals responded to the survey that introduced an annual set of key indicators for the region.

“Information communication technology continues as the foundation to improve quality in healthcare delivery and patient satisfaction,” said Michael Strubin, executive director of HIMSS in the EMEA region.  “As these inaugural results indicate, the survey respondents have confirmed the vital role of IT in the delivery of healthcare.

These healthcare executives most frequently identified two top priorities as being important for the future improvement of the delivery of healthcare in the EMEA region. 

They are:

• Implementing a regional/national electronic health record
• Connecting ICT with the hospital and remote environments such as the physician’s office or private home

A focus on quality of care and patient safety is reflected in these, and other, choices   respondents indicated will be important in the course of the next two years. Other key survey results include:

• Patient safety/improved quality of care, preparing for an increased need for healthcare services as the population ages, and patient satisfaction, are the top business issues of healthcare organizations in the years ahead.
• Lack of an ICT plan – or the failure to execute an ICT plan already in place – rank as the top barriers to successful ICT implementation.
• Clinical data repository topped the list for healthcare applications most important for the future.
• Wireless information systems, Intranets, and identity management were the top three technologies that will be most important in the next two years.
• ICT budgets and staffing are expected to increase from 2007 to 2008.

The survey work is carried out by HIMSS EMEA in partnership with HIMSS Analytics; a subsidiary organisation specialised in delivering high quality data and analytical expertise in the healthcare IT sector. Primary audiences for the work of HIMSS Analytics include healthcare professionals, decision-makers, consultancies and IT companies.

“HIMSS Analytics will continue to work with HIMSS EMEA to track these IT issues identified through this annual survey,” said HIMSS Analytics CEO/President Dave Garets.  “Understanding the IT needs and challenges of healthcare professionals in the EMEA region – and how information technology can be best adopted – will continue to be a major priority for us.”

The HIMSS EMEA Leadership Survey applies 18 years of experience in the United States of providing annual indicators and analysis in healthcare and IT. The survey was developed and modified with the input of the HIMSS EMEA Council.

Data collection for the survey took place from 10 August, 2007 to 1 October, 2007, resulting in 192 useable responses. To facilitate data collection, the survey tool was offered in six languages:  English, Finnish, French, German, Italian and Spanish.  Individuals were extended e-mail invitations to participate to the web-based survey and more than one respondent per organisation was permitted to participate in the survey

Visit www.himss.org/emea to read the complete report of the 1st Annual HIMSS EMEA Leadership Survey.