Too Far Ahead of the IT Curve
Executive Summary
Over the years Peachtree had grown from a single hospital to a regional network of 11 institutions. With over 4,000 employees and a million patients Peachtree's IT infrastructure has not kept up with their growth. The current IT system is not reliable, efficient and secure. The company mission is to provide "quality, consistency and continuity care across the entire network" delivered with "efficacy, economy and respect for patients and staff". In addition, unlike the healthcare industry which moved to standardized care, Peachtree believes its focus should be on the selective standardization. In order to achieve its objectives, Peachtree needs to overcome its failing IT infrastructure. This could be attained by implementation of SOA based system since it best aligns with the company's business model, mission and goals. Another recommended step is that Peachtree turns toward an incremental implementation of SOA. Peachtree should retain what still works and adds value to the company and replace only the most inefficient parts of the current system. Finally, standardizing only certain areas of clinical treatment could provide efficiency and cost savings and at the same time would allow doctors to make the final call, so the quality of care and patient safety wouldn't be compromised.
Current Situation
During the last 12 years Peachtree had grown from a single teaching hospital to a regional network of 11 healthcare institutions with additional support facilities. All 11 healthcare institutions have different size, purpose, history and culture. Each hospital has its own IT system and is doing things differently. As a result, Peachtree is encountering a problem with its incompatible technology that creates many problems and inadequate performance. The consistency and continuity of care across entire network is compromised which is not consistent with Peachtree's goals. In addition, Peachtree current system is not reliable. Reliability is
Over the years Peachtree had grown from a single hospital to a regional network of 11 institutions. With over 4,000 employees and a million patients Peachtree's IT infrastructure has not kept up with their growth. The current IT system is not reliable, efficient and secure. The company mission is to provide "quality, consistency and continuity care across the entire network" delivered with "efficacy, economy and respect for patients and staff". In addition, unlike the healthcare industry which moved to standardized care, Peachtree believes its focus should be on the selective standardization. In order to achieve its objectives, Peachtree needs to overcome its failing IT infrastructure. This could be attained by implementation of SOA based system since it best aligns with the company's business model, mission and goals. Another recommended step is that Peachtree turns toward an incremental implementation of SOA. Peachtree should retain what still works and adds value to the company and replace only the most inefficient parts of the current system. Finally, standardizing only certain areas of clinical treatment could provide efficiency and cost savings and at the same time would allow doctors to make the final call, so the quality of care and patient safety wouldn't be compromised.
Current Situation
During the last 12 years Peachtree had grown from a single teaching hospital to a regional network of 11 healthcare institutions with additional support facilities. All 11 healthcare institutions have different size, purpose, history and culture. Each hospital has its own IT system and is doing things differently. As a result, Peachtree is encountering a problem with its incompatible technology that creates many problems and inadequate performance. The consistency and continuity of care across entire network is compromised which is not consistent with Peachtree's goals. In addition, Peachtree current system is not reliable. Reliability is