"How do you ensure the best quality of care for your patients in a regulated environment?"

ADVANCE for Health Information Executives is published in print and online and features a webcast and video content. How important is the distribution of information via different channels for healthcare professionals today?

There will always be a printed version as there will always be readers who want a hard copy, but many professionals in our high-tech audience appreciate new and innovative ways of receiving information about current technology issues. We now have an electronic version of our magazine on the website and readers can page through an exact replica of the printed copy while reading other online articles and enjoying further multimedia features. We frequently direct our readers to the website because the Internet has two advantages. First, we have an almost unlimited amount of space available and, second, we can create a sense of community for our readers. They can post comments on any article they read and immediately voice their opinion. With CIO Unplugged, a blog written by a CIO who places new material online every two weeks, we were very pleased with the high volume of people viewing and commenting on the content.

Health information executives are used to the “high-speed” exchange of information. How does your publication make sure it provides a speedy news service while at the same time guaranteeing a high editorial standard?

We first look at the source. Does the news come from a trade association, a renowned newspaper or a research group we know? We also ensure editorial quality through our proofing processes and I personally read every article before it is published. We also check each user comment before publication: If it’s inappropriate or inflammatory we do not post it; if we think it’s inaccurate, we will publish it with a comment of our own.

How do you decide what is interesting for your readers?

All technology news has to be directly related to healthcare. Sometimes general technology companies will publish press releases on a technology that might also have an impact on hospitals, but it’s not exactly spelled out as to how this could affect healthcare organizations. It would be better in cases such as these if companies were to write a specific healthcare press release explaining the benefits of the technology for hospitals. We are particularly interested in technology that is unique or the first of its kind and which could have an impact on how hospitals do business or on how physicians treat patients. Incidentally, an interesting visual or a good sound bite will also help the story find its way into our magazine or website.

Based on the feedback you receive from your readers, what is the hottest topic for health information executives at the moment?

It’s all about patient safety and changing regulations; these issues are related and interlinked. How do you ensure the best quality of care for your patients in a regulated environment? In terms of technology, our readers are looking for better ways to integrate technology throughout the hospital.

To what extent do you include experiences and news from overseas in your coverage?

We follow the trends in other markets and compare them with what’s happening in the US. In some European countries, we can even get a preview of what’s going to happen here in the future. We also observe the offshoring trends taking place in healthcare, e.g. for transcription services, and we are always keen to find out what impact these new trends might have on hospitals in the United States in the next few years. (AS/AG)

Contact Frank Irving at FIrving@merion.com