Fea tu r e Ar ticle 51 information on arrival and departure times to the The IntrafaciX Division was created to ER, updated information on patient’s progress, develop technical solutions that enable Emergency Severity Index (ESI) values for cleaner, better, secure exchange of triaged patients, staff assignments and discharge information. diagnoses. Also of importance, the emergency room application can easily be installed regardless of the health record system platform you are using. And IntrafaciX will continue in Technatomy’s distinctive most importantly for Bob, the emergency room heritage of creating innovative solutions for health application captures valuable information that allows care technology, homeland security and logistics the emergency room staff to develop new policies engineering that improve the quality of life for all and system improvements to enhance emergency of us… Bob included. room patient flow. IntrafaciX also has a robust analytical tools About the Author: Mr. Cliff Freeman solution to assist Bob with energizing the served Department of Veterans Affairs as Clinical Knowledge Management Project. the Director, VA/DoD Health Information Sharing, and was the initial Deputy Director for the DoD/VA Interagency The tool is smart forms. The IntrafaciX smart Program Office. Currently, Mr. Freeman forms provide Clinicians with health care data is the Chief Health Interoperability capture, persistence and retrieval of structured and Officer for Technatomy Corporation, a coded patient information in Standardized Clinical dynamic, highly focused government IT contractor positioned Documents at the point of care. These standardized to meet the strategic technology needs of federal government clinical documents support clinical knowledge agencies. IntrafaciX - the research and development division management by providing search, robust health of Technatomy - was created to unify the enterprise through care analytics and timely clinical decision support. the consistent development of shared applications, interfaces, user experiences and data interoperability in a device-agnostic The IntrafaciX smart forms can be conveniently environment. displayed for clinicians on desktops, laptops, tablets Learn more at www.intrafacix.com. and/or smartphones. FedHea lthIT Ma g a zine | Summer 2016
52 Ev en in g f o r Ho p e The Children’s Inn at NIH Annual Fundraiser Defines the Meaning of Bravery The Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) celebrated its annual fundraising gala, “An Evening for Hope,” drawing a sold-out crowd of nearly 800 government and industry attendees and raising a record $892,500. The event was held on May 7 at the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons Corner. The Gala donates all net proceeds to The Children’s Inn whose mission is to reduce the burden of illness for families and empower the work of the NIH clinicians who work to find treatments Gala emcee James Rosen of FOX News Channel; raffle winner Soon and cures for life-threatening childhood Moon with the National Cancer Institute; keynote speaker Connor diseases. O’Brien and his brother, Cayden; Jennie Lucca, CEO, The Children’s Inn at NIH “It is not every day that families from The Inn, supporters and sponsors get to celebrate together and recognize the bravery of the children and their families, as well as the work of The Inn,” said Todd Pantezzi, 2016 Gala Chair. Scooter, decorated by children at The Children’s Inn 2016 Gala Chair Todd Pantezzi, Senior VP, ICF International FedHea lthIT Ma g a zine | Summer 2016
Ev en in g f o r Ho p e 53 The Inn is a private, nonprofit “Place Like Home” where families stay for free while their children participate in clinical trials at 15 of the 27 research institutes and centers at the NIH. The event featured notable speakers and attendees, including NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins, The Children’s Inn at NIH CEO Jennie Lucca, and a brave and admirable 13-year-old Inn resident Gala Chair Todd Pantezzi of ICF (far left); Dr. Francis Collins of NIH and his wife named Connor O’Brien. Diane Baker; The Children’s Inn at NIH Board Chair Kelvin Womack; keynote speaker Connor O’Brien and his mother Tammy Connor has Neurofibromatosis Type 2, a genetic disorder associated with tumors on the nerves, brain and spinal cord. He and his family stay at The Inn while he receives treatment at the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke. His mom Tammy told attendees that Connor has taught her the definition of bravery: someone who perseveres despite their fears. For more information, please visit http://childrensinn.org or to sponsor, contact Todd Pantezzi at [email protected]. Next year’s gala is scheduled for April 29, 2017. FedHea lthIT Ma g a zine | Summer 2016
54 Fea tu r e Ar ticle how a hUManitarian SUpply Chain USeS analytiCS to Save liveS BY HEATHER GITTINGS ast week, my 2-year-old woke Lup drenched in sweat. After wrestling the thermometer into her mouth, I learned that her temperature was 104.6. It turned out to be a simple ear infection, quickly cured with Amoxicillin. Fortunately, I didn’t have to think about the logistics of refrigerating that Amoxicillin, but in many places around the world, proper storage poses a real challenge. And it’s one of many that Direct Relief*, a information from all of that data in order to deploy humanitarian aid organization, faces daily. the right healthcare resources, at the right time. I recently heard CEO Thomas Tighe explain the By implementing the Qlik data analysis platform, many factors that Direct Relief must consider Direct Relief is now able to connect all those when mobilizing and shipping medical resources different systems into one view. They can rapidly to disaster areas—for example, medicine must be and precisely view inventory down to the individual stored at the proper temperature and humidity clinic level. level to remain effective. “Before Qlik, our information was locked up in this Imagine transporting goods and impenetrable fortress. I knew it was all in there, needing a working refrigeration but I just couldn’t get to it with the agility or ease needed to efficiently help people in need,” Tighe system amongst the aftermath of a said. natural disaster? When a recent earthquake hit Equador, they Medical supply chains are full of data regarding brought up a dashboard, and in just a few clicks inventory and logistics. The key is to extract were able to understand and share with the clinic *Direct Relief was named #1 Charity by Charity Navigator and CNBC and in the Top 10 Charities by Forbes, being called 100% efficient in fundraising, and Fast Company ranked it among the world’s 10 most innovative nonprofits for its use of mapping technology during the Ebola outbreak. FedHea lthIT Ma g a zine | Summer 2016
Fea tu r e Ar ticle 55 what inventory would be most helpful. They can also show an individual supplier, like Johnson & Johnson, precisely where and how their donations are being used. “We do not just a have a warehouse of documented but dormant info. We live in the data now,” says Tighe. About the Author: Heather Gittings is Director of Public Sector Solutions at Qlik, a leader in visual analytics. Qlik has more than 35,000 customers around the world, empowering agencies to visualize and explore information, generate insight and make better decisions. Heather leads Qlik’s government go-to-market initiatives spanning solution development, partnering, sales and marketing. To learn more about Direct Relief and Qlik’s Corporate Social Responsibility program, visit Qlik.com/changeourworld. FedHea lthIT Ma g a zine | Summer 2016
For the full results, please visit www.FedHealthIT.com/2016/03/bd_tools/
58 Upc oming Ev ents Key UpCoMing federal health it eventS to attend BY ERIC KLOS As the 2nd half of the year is consumed with proposal responses, it’s often difficult to determine which events deliver sufficient value to warrant your attention. Included here is a list of several Fed Health IT events that you will want to consider as we move into FY17 while trying to balance business development and growth activities. 2016 Defense Health Information Technology Symposium DATE: August 2 – 4, 2016 LOCATION: Orlando, FL This will be the 3rd year for the DHITS Conference and we expect that DHA should have a much HIMSS-NCA Monthly Educational clearer idea of the timeline on MHS GENESIS Programs and its integration with many other IT initiatives at DHA. Further progress is being made on several Irrespective of the lineup, the National Capital major initiatives including DMIX and JOMIS. The Area chapter for HIMSS regularly draws in top networking activity at DHITS has increased as more Federal Health IT leaders from across industry Federal Health IT players target work at DHA. and government. The networking alone makes this worth the trip, though this group does a great job ensuring the topic areas are timely and built around Convergence 2016: CMS IT Conference key programs and initiatives. HIMSS NCA vents to DATE: August 4, 2016 be held through the end of the year: LOCATION: Baltimore, MD • September 15th, 2016 – Emergency Strikes – Is your Health System Ready? With CMS becoming so critical in our national • October 20, 2016 – Emerging Federal healthcare efforts, getting a pulse on planned IT Health IT Acquisition Strategy activities, as well as, meeting key influencers and • November 17, 2016 – Data Sharing – The decision-makers ensures this will be well attended. Who (se), What, How and More? With a new IDIQ in place, prime and subs will look • December TBD, 2016 – Annual Holiday to this event to support partnering activity and to Party -Toys for Tots target CMS opportunities in FY17 and beyond. 2016 Healthcare Summit Public Health Informatics Conference DATE: September 22, 2016 DATE: August 21-24, 2016 LOCATION: McLean, VA LOCATION: Atlanta, GA Still in early planning, this half-day event that is If you aim to play in the expanding field of Public expected to include the Undersecretary for Health at Health, this is an investment to consider. Although the Department of Veterans Affair (VA), Dr. David historically very focused in support of CDC Shulkin, along with VA CIO, Laverne Council looks activity, the public health information, networking, to be shaping up as one to consider putting on your and opportunity identification provided here is calendar. increasingly valuable. FedHea lthIT Ma g a zine | Summer 2016
Upc oming Ev ents 59 Defense Strategies’ Institute 2016 CMS “Looking Back, Moving DoD/VA and Gov Health IT Summit Forward” Industry Day Conference DATE: October 4-5, 2016 DATE: November 18, 2016 LOCATION: Alexandria, VA LOCATION: Baltimore, MD DSI continues to draw in the top Federal Health This event will be packed with the 81 SPARC prime IT leaders as they host and organize what is easily contractors and a plethora of their teaming partners one of the top events around town, with a dozen of seeking to learn what’s on the horizon at CMS. more speakers from across VA, DoD, and the larger Open registration will begin in August following Federal Health IT community. To get a glimpse a small business registration period that closed in of the proceedings, you can view a Post-Summit early July. With an FY 17 forecast expected out and report from last October’s event which highlights a host of new primes geared up to meet needs, this is the primary findings and solutions identified. The one event you don’t want to miss out on. report is free, but it does require you to register on the site. AFCEA Bethesda Health IT Day 2016 2016 AMSUS Federal Health IT Meeting DATE: October 12, 2016 DATE: November 29-December 2, 2016 LOCATION: Bethesda, MD LOCATION: National Harbor, MD In terms of can’t miss Federal Health IT events, The annual meeting for AMSUS, a non-profit AFCEA Bethesda continues to host the premier organization focused on the advancement of federal Federal Health IT conference around town. If health professionals, is certainly one to evaluate this is the primary market you serve, the sessions as they continue to broaden their focus to include and networking are invaluable. Falling before the Federal Health IT. This, in combination with presidential election, much speculation will abound the location of this year’s event at the Gaylord at as to how the outcome will influence Fed Health IT National Harbor, MD, ensures this will be more in 2017 and beyond. appealing and highly attended by those local to the DC market. National Veterans Small Business Engagement DATE: November 1-3, 2016 About the Author: Eric Klos is the LOCATION: Minneapolis, MN Managing Principal of HealthTechture, a business consulting firm providing strategic The buzz on this event has grown every year and planning, marketing development, and this past year was no different. With over 3000 competitive intelligence to Federal Health IT firms. Eric applies vast knowledge registrants it’s the signature event for the Veterans of the market in specific analysis small business community and the presence of over around solution offerings, agencies, and 400 procurement decision-makers (including many competition. He thrives on positioning companies to seize new VA) will and should be a draw. The quality of the business in Federal Health IT. Eric is a frequent contributor sessions and the unique networking opportunities to G2Xchange and FedHealthIT as both a Health IT SME with VA leaders makes this worth the trip. and Advisor. FedHea lthIT Ma g a zine | Summer 2016
60 Fea tu r e Ar ticle Can aCQUiSition Be agile? 7 StepS for agile BUying BY BRIAN REYNOLDS ome aspects of complex IT solutions are product development contract award, to a product unknowable and can’t be predicted or planned up- architecture and planning deliverable, developed in Sfront. advance and used to segregate and drive specialized product development contract actions. Uncertainty requires agility. Where uncertainty is high, a learning system based on iteration and feedback Step 2. Segregate Service Requirements. is required. Agile methodologies provide such a system. Most vendors do not have best-in-class competencies Teams that adopt these techniques focus on delivering that align with all services needed to deliver a complex value, improving quality, and using feedback to ensure program. Segregate service requirements to engage products are fit-for-purpose. specialists to deliver discrete services. Separate architecture and integration services from product Acquisition practices require the same Lean Thinking. development, so that specialists can be engaged to Unfortunately, many Government acquisition practices develop discrete products (components) within the assume scope can be completely defined up-front, architecture. when we know the least; that priorities will not change significantly; that innovation can be completed on a Step 3. Use Multi-Award Indefinite Delivery predictable schedule; and that all required program Vehicles (IDVs). expertise can be sourced from a single vendor. Use IDVs to establish a pool or pre-qualified product development vendors so agencies can quickly and These practices often undermine Agile delivery methods; make it difficult for Government to apply conveniently engage competent, qualified, and price competitive service providers to deliver products price and performance pressure throughout the (within the modular architecture). This provides the lifecycle; require bureaucratic change control processes; flexibility to contract product development services on and make separating underperforming vendors difficult a release basis and to switch to a new vendor within the and disruptive. IDV pool without significant disruption. Congress’ calendar is rife with bills that promise to reform Federal acquisition laws and regulations to Step 4. Use Streamlined Vendor Selection accommodate Agile delivery techniques. But current law Procedures. already allows for adaption of Agile, even encouraging Use competency, past performance, and rate card it in some places. There are seven steps Government evaluations to qualify vendors for admittance to the IDV can take to adapt existing acquisition practices to pool. Select vendors and acquire product development support Agile delivery techniques and deliver more services from the IDV pool by applying streamlined value, faster. vendor selection procedures that heavily favor competitive prototyping and agency past performance. Step 1. Use Modular Architecture. Use modular architecture to define smaller, less risky, Step 5. Base CLINS on Release Plans. more manageable product boundaries that limit Product Development contracts should be based on dependency on individual vendors, and enable modular a Performance Management Baseline (PMB) that acquisition. Shift the role of architecture – from includes a schedule, budget, and technical baselines. A a product development deliverable, produced after properly defined Agile Release Plan includes each of FedHea lthIT Ma g a zine | Summer 2016
Fea tu r e Ar ticle 61 these components. Use Release-Plans to incrementally about vendor performance and the need for preemptive contract for product development services and as the improvements. They also provide a quantitative basis basis for defining task order CLINs around mutually for electing to source delivery of future releases through approved technical, cost, and schedule baselines. an alternative vendor and for negotiating performance- based release development CLINs. Step 6. Tie Payments to Working Software. Contract performance measurement and payment These steps comply with federal law and the Federal schedules should be focused on what is most Acquisition Regulation. But to ensure success, important: delivery of high quality software. This is agencies will need a capable team of acquisition best accomplished when deliverables are defined as professionals. Reports show dwindling experience working, high-quality software features. Directly tie among procurement practitioners across Government. payments to acceptance of software features. Use the If benefits of Agile are going to be released any time release planning process to define a fixed price payment soon, Government should redouble efforts to prepare continuum for delivery of in-scope features and stories. buying workforce now. Step 7. Continuously Measure and Improve. About the Author: Brian Reynolds is a Principal at Grant Thornton LLP, where Use vendor management and rigorous inspect and he leads the Firm’s public sector Agile and adapt metrics to drive continuous performance Digital Delivery Service. He helps Federal healthcare and other industry teams use Agile improvements and to monitor vendor performance to deliver value, faster. Brian can be reached at and progress. Metrics provide early warning signs [email protected].
va t4ng awardeeS Congratulations to the 24 prime awardees on the Veterans Affairs 10 year $22.3 billion Transformation Twenty-One Total Technology Next Generation, a primary contract for information technology infrastructure improvements, cyber security and operations and network management. AbleVets Accenture Federal Services B3 Group Booz Allen Hamilton Business Information Technology Solutions (BITS) By Light Professional IT Services CACI-ISS CGI Federal Ellumen Favor TechConsulting (FTC) Halfaker & Associates Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) HMS Technologies Information Innovators (Triple-i) Intelligent Waves International Business Machines, Corp. (IBM) Kforce Government Solutions (KGS) Leidos Liberty IT Solutions Nester Consulting dba GovernmentCIO SRA International (now CSRA) Systems Made Simple (SMS) The Informatics Applications Group (tiag) TISTA Science and Technology *Source: FPDS.Gov.
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Kicked off the This measurement will automated test process improve our velocity metrics Let’s get this into our Collaboration Let’s demo this Tool for stakeholders to review MVP version AGILE DONE RIGHT Our approach to working with federal agencies to establish a repeatable Agile process is to employ our Scrum methodology, which is an iterative process. When applying this methodology, in most cases, we use a process called Directly Capture Objectives (DCO). DCO is a set of tools designed to capture and tie business objectives, project goals, requirements, and use cases to actual implementations, enabling the automatic generation of the documentation needed. Our use of DCO dramatically increases the speed and accuracy with which we capture objectives, bringing IT and administration closer together. Visual Connections, LLC (VC), is an MBE, SDVOSB and HUBZone Information Technology firm headquartered in Windsor Mill, Maryland. VC specializes in Health Care IT, with a focus on Agile roadmap planning and development. Contact us today to learn more. [email protected] www.visualconnections.net 866.630.2073 Visual Connections_FedHealthIT Ad_7.indd 1 7/1/16 10:35 AM
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