MEDITECH's Regional Events forums, held recently in Columbus, Ohio and Charlottesville, Virginia, offered another opportunity for customers to network with other hospitals and provide feedback to MEDITECH representatives.

MEDITECH Marketing Manager Jaye Benson opened each event with a discussion on the changes forthcoming with health care reform, and the role I.T. will play. "There is a lot of change coming, both industry-driven and MEDITECH-driven," said Benson. "We are continuing to look at how our systems can meet the challenges ahead, to best serve our medical community going forward."

Benson discussed how our customers can take advantage of financial incentives to coordinate care and reduce costs; the advent of accountable care organizations (ACOs); and the importance of engaging patients more actively with their care.

Both events included networking lunches and peer-exchange groups. Robert Underwood, MD and CMIO from Rockingham Memorial Hospital (Harrisonburg, VA), spoke on the topic of successfully building and deploying physician solutions, at the Virginia forum.

"I.T. departments are now working more closely with clinical staff to adopt new technologies, which is a very good thing," said Underwood. "It is through this collaborative synergy that we will continue to drive systems to improve health care."

Attendees expressed their enthusiasm for having the opportunity to exchange ideas on interoperability, Meaningful Use, hardware infrastructure, mobile devices, and reporting. "The regional events venues are very good for having these open dialogues," said Underwood. "We always learn so much from our peers in the industry, and that will help keep everyone on track in the months ahead."