In this episode of Beyond the Blueprint, we sit down with healthtech veteran John Elms to unpack the complexities of clinical communication and workflow orchestration. Drawing from decades of experience and a front-row seat to digital transformation, John explores why care team collaboration remains so fragmented—and what's required to fix it. From HIPAA-induced workarounds and alert fatigue to EHR lock-ins and the lack of federated communication systems, we examine the real-world barriers to connected care. Along the way, we discuss alarm management, platform interoperability, and why frontline clinicians must be empowered to lead workflow redesign. If you're navigating large-scale deployments or grappling with burnout on the floor, this conversation offers sharp insights and a clear call for smarter, clinician-driven solutions.

Key Takeaways

• The federation of communication protocols is essential for effective healthcare communication.
• Current communication tools are contributing to provider burnout and inefficiencies.
• Poor communication is a leading cause of medical errors in healthcare settings.
• Alarm management is a critical area needing continuous improvement to enhance patient safety.
• Healthcare organizations must rethink their communication strategies to reduce cognitive burden on staff.
• Integration of communication technologies can streamline workflows and improve care delivery.
• Understanding the needs of frontline staff is crucial for successful technology deployment.
• Healthcare IT leaders should collaborate closely with clinical informatics for better outcomes.
• The market for alarm management solutions is still evolving and requires standardization.
• A patient-centric approach is necessary for future healthcare innovations.

Episode Highlights

00:00 Transforming Healthcare Communication 01:13 Welcome to Beyond the Blueprint 01:45 Meet John Elms 03:09 Today's Agenda 05:31 Biggest Pain Points in Communication 07:07 Top Priorities in Deployment 08:53 Advancements in Alarm Management 12:12 Redesigning Communication Processes 14:07 The Next Wave of Healthcare Technology 17:26 Recommendations for Healthcare Leaders 19:21 Final Remarks Guests: John Elms Host: Gregg Malkary - Spyglass Consulting Group Cohost: Keith Washington - Companions in Courage Foundation Sponsored by: Simplifi Medical & Storage Systems Unlimited Audio/Video: Tim Jones - Health Nuts Media Marketing: Josh Troop - Troop-Creative Learn More at: www.beyond-blueprint.com