An ode to healthcare information technology modernization
‘Twas the night before Christmas, in the ER of St. Strauss,
Not a doctor was working, not even House;
The IVs were hung by the bedsides with care,
In hopes that some pain meds soon would be there;
The patients were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of discharge danced in their heads;
And nurses in scrubs, washed their hands at the taps,
And checked out the charts to ensure no care gaps,
When out on the unit there arose such a clatter,
Everyone raced to see what was the matter.
To the nurse station they flew like a flash,
And witnessed the CFO counting his cash;
The IT incentives came with a red, white and blue bow,
And the luster of ARRA coin twinkled and glowed.
When, what to our wondering eyes did appear,
But a wild-eyed CIO and eight engineers.
With an old printer driver, and mice that go click,
They knew in a moment it was likely Epic.
Or McKesson or Cerner or Meditech to name
just a few companies that played the CIO’s game.
“Now, EMR! Now, EHR! Now, CPOE and Billing!
By Friday I’ve got to get all of you working!
From the OR to the pharmacy to the ward down the hall!
We must figure out interoperability for all!”
