Strategic planning for information services at multi-facility health systems

Without benefit of an up-to-date, in-depth appraisal of any specific multi-facility's organization, the healthcare facility's mission statement and philosophy, and a detailed understanding of the current situation within each of the IS divisions and/or Data Processing departments, it is merely possible to generically assess the needs in light of today's readily available technology, and to subjectively and logically apply ones past experience to determine a preferred approach. Therefore, this overview of strategic planning considerations ought to be used with caution. A workable plan requires extensive on-going effort, and comes alive only when it is adopted by management. In the event that no previous information services planning activity has occurred within the organization, or where a prior strategic plan is more than three years old, prudent advice would include a strong recommendation to begin such a process without delay.