The Implementation Reality

When Lucienne Ide started Rimidi, she had a clear vision as a physician: make it easier to manage patients with chronic conditions outside clinic walls. Similarly, Jeff Fallon at Evideon saw an opportunity to revolutionize patient care through smart room technology. Both leaders discovered that having innovative technology wasn't enough – implementation would make or break their success.

"If it takes 17 years for digital health to be adopted like traditional medicine, we've all failed,"

Lucienne shared during our conversation. This stark reality check highlights a crucial point: the healthcare technology adoption curve needs to be dramatically shorter than traditional medical innovations.

Three Critical Success Factors

1. Integration Is Everything

Healthcare systems don't just buy technology – they buy solutions that fit their existing workflows. Rimidi discovered this early on, pivoting from a direct-to-consumer approach to working through healthcare systems.

"We have found that we're better off going to the health system," Lucienne explained. "While sometimes I think we as consumers want to just be able to share all our data with the doctor, that's hard for them with the enterprise systems they use."

2. The Human Element Matters

Both companies found an unexpected truth: technology alone isn't sufficient. Successful implementation often requires human support. Rimidi provides staffing solutions alongside their technology platform, while Evideon focuses on reducing manual tasks for existing staff.

"If we can give 3% plus of their time back from non-clinical tasks to clinical care...that's monumental,"

Jeff emphasized. This focus on practical time savings rather than just technological innovation has proven crucial for adoption.

3. Workflow Integration Is Non-Negotiable

Evideon's success with their digital whiteboard solution demonstrates the power of enhancing existing workflows rather than creating new ones. They save nurses approximately 30 minutes per shift by digitizing manual tasks – but crucially, they do this by integrating with existing hospital IT systems.

Real-World Implementation Stories

Let's look at two contrasting approaches:

Rimidi's Approach:

• Connected medical devices for home monitoring
• Integrated with leading EMR platforms
• Provided staffing support for care management
• Focused on ease of use for patients

Evideon's Strategy:

• Digitized existing hospital room tools
• Automated manual processes
• Integrated with hospital IT systems
• Routed non-clinical tasks to appropriate staff

Strategies for Success

For healthcare technology companies and investors, these insights point to several key strategies:

1. Focus on Integration First
   1. Ensure compatibility with major EMR systems
   2. Design for existing workflows
   3. Make implementation as seamless as possible
2. Consider the Human Element
   1. Plan for staffing needs
   2. Include training and support
   3. Address change management
3. Measure Real Impact
   1. Track time savings
   2. Monitor clinical outcomes
   3. Document workflow improvements

🔗 Click here to explore our playbook: PulsePointPath.com/Capital-Readiness-Scorecard

FAQ

Q: How long should healthcare technology implementation take? A: While traditional medical innovations take up to 17 years for widespread adoption, modern HealthTech solutions should aim for implementation cycles under 12 months.

Q: What's the biggest barrier to implementation? A: According to our interviews, IT system integration and staffing constraints are the two primary barriers to successful implementation.

Q: How can investors evaluate implementation potential? A: Look for solutions that:

• Integrate with existing systems
• Consider staffing implications
• Show measurable time savings
• Have clear implementation strategies

Moving Forward: Key Takeaways

The success of healthcare technology solutions depends on more than just innovation. Implementation strategy, integration capabilities, and human factors play crucial roles. For both founders and investors, understanding these elements is essential for success in the HealthTech space.

Remember: change in healthcare requires persistence, but with the right strategy, implementation challenges become opportunities for differentiation and success.

References:

[1] Innovation Implementation in the Context of Hospital QI: Lessons Learned and Strategies for Success

[2] Implementation of health technology: Directions for research and practice

[3] Problems Implementing Technology in Healthcare

[4] HealthTech solutions: Are they worth the investment?

[5] Why the Healthtech Revolution Is Failing

[6] 7 health tech innovations solving real-world problems

About the author:

Sabrina Runbeck, MPH, MHS, PA-C, empowers healthcare innovators to streamline their businesses so they can scale effortlessly---even while taking a 4-week vacation. A former Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Associate, she co-founded PulsePoint Path, working with an advisory board to help founders amplify their social impact and profits. A bestselling author and sought-after speaker, Sabrina hosts the "Provider's Edge" and "HealthTech Growth" podcasts, while leading Healthcare Amplified, a network focused on boosting visibility and relationships for innovative healthcare leaders.