Business transformation and innovation are embedded in the DNA of UPMC (formerly University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), one of the country’s largest integrated healthcare companies. UPMC takes an aggressive approach to implementing and developing technologies that make healthcare more effective and efficient. Based on their innovative and strategic approach to IT, InformationWeek chose UPMC as the No. 1 company in their 2013 InformationWeek 500 ranking.
For a dedicated and progressive healthcare provider like UPMC, such high praise is no doubt rewarding. UPMC patients are the real winners though, who judge UPMC not on their technology achievements but on how they deliver on their mission of healthcare. Patients are more interested in knowing that UPMC is among the top hospitals in the U. S. News Best Hospitals, ranked #1 in the state of Pennsylvania. They are also represented in the U.S. News list of top connected hospitals.
UPMC’s focus on technology and service delivery excellence is not a coincidence. Chris Murphy, Information Week editor reports “Information technology has two broad roles at UPMC. First, it must improve the operations of the company’s hospitals and health insurance plan, improve the care of patients, and drive down the company’s costs. Second, technology should make money for UPMC — it’s not just a cost center”.
Related case studies: UPMC builds next generation network to improve patient care and UPMC Children’s Hospital relies on advanced voice, data and wireless network infrastructure
Dan Drawbaugh, CIO at UPMC is committed to extending the value of their IT organizations development of technologies that not only redefine their own healthcare models, but that it can sell to other healthcare providers and insurers. Technology and new innovative business models are transforming the healthcare industry. UPMC and healthcare are not alone.
Companies gaining competitive advantage are approaching technology in new and practical ways to ensure that IT strategies drive their businesses forward. A couple of the common themes reported by the 2013 InformationWeek 500 are the use of Web-based collaboration tools and mobile apps. While that is not particularly surprising, what is a surprise is the high number of technology leaders who identified one of their top goals of introducing an IT-led product for customers – 44%.
Business is the real driver of innovation, and technology is providing more opportunities than ever before to improve every aspect of business. Faster and more accurate service delivery, improved user experience, and more efficient operations that reduce costs make customers happy and improve the bottom line. What company doesn’t want that?
Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise is a technology partner to UPMC and other healthcare organizations like Advocate Health Care, another U. S News BEST hospital and Information Week 500 healthcare technology leader. Together we are defining new methods to help providers to improve patient care and people to live better lives.
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This commentary was originally written for and published on the Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise blog. Many thanks to ALE for their interest in my thoughts, and the ability to contribute my voice..