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New CIO steers info technology  by Cindy Abole Public Relations Staying abreast of the technology curve in an academic medical setting is as daring as watching cars jockeying for position at a NASCAR race. And the challenge will be equally as daunting to MUSC’s new chief information officer, Frank Clark, Ph.D.  Dr. Frank Clark Clark's role is to evaluate, manage and develop information technology and resources for MUSC. His prior experience in academia and private health care organizations have prepared him to deal with the times. He has helped develop information systems and hone new networks that have made organizations efficient and competitive well into the 21st century. Clark earned his credentials, including a doctorate in mathematics from the University of Georgia. While  at the University of Georgia, he was involved in faculty computer literacy and helped in the university’s early development of academic computing centers.  His return to academic medicine allows him to use his knowledge and expertise in coordinating resources and developing new ones that will support the academic, clinical and research strategies of the university. His initial focus is meeting people and identifying with the institution’s work culture to help identify specific work issues and priorities before addressing others. “MUSC currently has different pieces in place,” said Clark. “What we need is to develop a more  tightly integrated core strategy or system that will enable our staffs to teach, conduct research and deliver health care effectively.” The use of technology within medicine and the health care setting has been slow compared to other industries like manufacturing and business. He views technology as an enabling tool for educators, researchers and caregivers to bridge and effectively carry out their unified missions for discovery, understanding and healing. He likens today’s interest of computer technology as an essential commodity like electricity and water. It is really about timely and accurate information, not technology, he said. Clark finds it not uncommon for academic medical centers to find information technology highly decentralized across campus. Similar organizations and institutions like MUSC spend lots of money on technology often not knowing exactly where it’s all being spent. But in these budget-challenged times, MUSC President Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., and his executive team want to ensure that the institution and hospital are seeking ways to use technology dollars efficiently and effectively, he said. As technology emerged within patient care settings in the 1980s and 1990s other issues became more prevalent. With budget constraints, ongoing issues concerning patient safety and an increased demand for accountability within health care, institutions were turning to technology as an enabling tool. “It’s easy to use technology as a method to change the process and workflow, but its not an antidote for bad processes,” Clark said. “These hard times are really the best opportunity for the university to improve work flow processes and review how things are done before applying technology. Many are reluctant to do this and throw technology dollars away. It can mean doing things bad, faster.” What Clark suggests is taking a step back to review and evaluate processes that will help improve the organization’s efficiency and effectiveness. “Most of us are creatures of habit and naturally assume that what’s been done  in the past is usually the paradigm or model for doing things in the future,” Clark said. “Technology is expensive, but not difficult. Changing culture and the way people do things is what’s difficult,” he said.  Designing systems that will allow physicians to enter orders, prescribe medicine using automated systems and access chart information will help staff and caregivers follow through with care and reduce  errors. Updates to electronic medical records will continue to improve the capture of patient information and relay it across a health care setting.  These automated systems will help reduce the number of errors and provide overall effective cost savings, he said.  “Hospitals and health care organizations today are rethinking their emphasis on the use of technology,” Clark said. “Hospital leadership is looking to find more ways to drive down costs, streamline and become more efficient, yet be competitive, when it comes to providing patients with excellent quality and safe care.” “Frank Clark is a perfect fit for our newly created position of chief  information officer,” said Greenberg. “First, he has excellent academic credentials, with both doctoral training in computer science and faculty experience in an academic health center. Second, he has worked in the private sector in a large health care delivery system. From that latter experience, he brings an appreciation for the role that information systems can bring to efficient operations and patient safety.  He has overseen the recent installation of a major clinical informatics system, so we will benefit from his knowledge and practical skills.” Clark came to South Carolina from Covenant Health in Knoxville, Tenn. As senior vice president and chief information officer, he managed computing and information technology support services team for six hospitals, home health agencies and physician’s management organization since 1997. Previously, he was CIO for Baptist Healthcare System in Kentucky, developing a community-based integrated delivery system for their statewide multi-hospital facilities, outpatient and acute care programs and nursing homes.  At Georgia, he participated in collaborative research and other administrative roles. Clark got his taste of academia and healthcare in 1983 working at the Memphis Medical Center linking their telecommunications network and managing their hospital information systems in their related facilities.   Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.