Rapid Deployment of Technology: Patient and Staff Empowerment at Houston Methodist

Abstract

Digital innovations are arriving in healthcare at an increasing rate. Electronic medical records provided the foundation for this growth, and now thousands of technology companies are servicing every aspect of healthcare. Since 2018, Houston Methodist has been cultivating digital disruption, working to speed up the development of new initiatives. As our digital innovation has grown exponentially over the past few years, we have kept the patient at the center of all activities. We hold the philosophy that patient empowerment should be a process whereby patients understand their role and have access to knowledge that enables them to engage with their providers in a bidirectional relationship. Patient empowerment in the patient room, in care pathways, and in opioid reduction demonstrate the success of our approach with strongly positive outcomes. Importantly, the efforts are not only appreciated by our patients, but also widely embraced by our clinicians.