Like many leadership positions in healthcare, the role of the CNIO is constantly evolving. Whereas in the past, the conversations revolved primarily around workflow, now it’s about being a “thought leader” — someone who can help influence decisions as organization delve further into digital transformation.

And while this certainly requires a deeper skillset than in the past, one criterion has remained the same: the ability to listen. As leaders are learning, moving the needle forward with value-based care and creating a better experience for both patients and providers can’t happen without building buy-in. And that, according to Brian Norris, means taking the time to truly understand pain points and explain why metrics are being collected — and how they will be used. “There’s a lot of low-hanging fruit in terms of optimization.”

During a recent interview, Norris talked about how his team is leveraging data to help improve ease of use and reduce burnout; the challenges leaders face in meeting the changing needs of consumers; the non-traditional path that led him to the CNIO role; and his bold prediction for the future.

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Key Takeaways

* As health systems reach the “pivotal moment” of how to effectively utilize the data that’s been collected, informatics leaders have an opportunity to “become a thought partner” and help influence decision-making.

* It’s not enough just to focus on workflows; nursing leaders need to be thinking (and talking) about how to leverage analytics to reduce length of stay, and the role informatics can play in redesigning care models.

* Something as simple as leveraging virtual nursing to automate the admissions process can have a big impact, said Norris. Changing the modality “just a little bit” has created a ripple effect” across the system.

* When the pandemic hit, IU Health was already equipped to offer virtual visits. “We didn’t have to go out and buy any new technology; we just needed to change the process a little bit and then measure it.”

* Norris’ prediction for 20 years from now: “I bet we’ll see a lot of informatics and clinical professionals who are much more data savvy than they are today, helping move the needle along in those arenas.”

Q&A with Brian Norris, CNIO, IU Health, Part 1

Gamble:  Hi Brian, thank you for taking some time to speak with us. Can you start by giving a high-level overview of Indiana University Health?

Norris:  Sure. IU Health is Indiana’s largest health system. We have about 17 hospitals that serve tens of thousands of patients across northern, southern, and central Indiana. We’re a vertically integrated organization. We have a health plan, acute care facilities, home health, and hospital-at-home programs. We’re home to Riley Children’s Hospital as well as IU School of Medicine.

We’re constantly growing; we have a lot of specialties and a lot of growth.

 

Gamble:  One thing I’m learning from doing some research into the CNIO role is that it can differ quite a bit depending on the size and scope of the organization.

Norris:  For sure. I’ve been in informatics for a long time. This is my second CNIO role and my third CNIO-like role. I had an entrepreneurial stint in the middle. And so, I know that each one is a little bit different.

The role has evolved over time. In many ways, nursing informatics — if you go back 20 years or so — is synonymous with electronic medical records. As you go through the HITECH Act and the infuse of capital to beef up EMRs across the country,