EP31 Revolutionizing Healthcare Communication - John Elms

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