As we receive feedback on the PC consolidation project, one of our lessons learned was our lack of communication to physicians. To ensure the success of this project, we understand and value the feedback from the physician group. Therefore, we want to apologize for not initially reaching out to talk through this project. Please see below for an overview of this project:
The PC (computer workstation) and desk phone consolidation program is part of the financial A3 work for Salem Health. Our target is to reduce PCs and phones by 10 percent. We have benchmarked against other hospitals and have found that we are well above industry best practice on the number of computers and phones per person for a health care facility. We have used data to identify the percentage of time each computer is used. IS gives that data to the unit owner with a target of reducing PCs and phones by 10 percent in their environment.
Ultimately, the unit/area owner decides what to remove. If an area cannot meet the 10 percent target, then the discussion is escalated to the CIO (Leah Mitchell, interim) and the associated VP. The program will be completed at the end of May. To date, every area has been able to consolidate easily because the data about use (or lack of use) is very strong. Ultimately, this saves the organization hundreds of thousands of dollars in unused PCs, phones, and associated licenses on devices that are shown to be infrequently used, and aligns us with industry best practice.
Thank you for your understanding and participation in this effort.