< + > CIO Podcast – Episode 88: A Healthcare Perspective on Southern California Wildfires with Ray Lowe

For the 88th episode of the CIO podcast hosted by Healthcare IT Today, we are joined by Ray Lowe, SVP and CIO at AltaMed to talk about the wildfires in Southern California. As an LA native, Lowe gives us an update on what it’s like in Southern California right now. Next, we talk about the impact this disaster is having on healthcare organizations. Then we discuss what happens when a medical facility is gone and what we can learn from this tragedy. Lowe then shares how AltaMed has been going beyond their patients and has been supporting other public health services. Next, we get into how AltaMed has been diverting their patients to another clinic, if they’ve gone to telehealth during this tragedy, and other efforts to manage their 1000+ appointments per day. Lastly, Lowe passes along his suggestions on what other healthcare organizations should do to prepare for tragedies like this that could hit their community.

Here are a few of the pictures of the clinic that was destroyed and the AltaMed team caring for their community:

Click to view slideshow.

Here’s a look at the questions and topics we discuss in this episode:

• As an LA native, give us an update on what it’s like in Southern California right now.
• What are some of the impacts to healthcare organizations that you’re experiencing and hearing about?
• What happens when a medical facility is just gone? What can be learned from this tragedy?
• Going beyond your patients, how has AltaMed supported other public health services?
• How did you handle all your patients? Did you divert them to another clinic? Did you go to telehealth?
• You’ll have time to analyze this after the tragedy, but is there something you’d suggest to other healthcare organizations to make sure they’re prepared if a tragedy like this or others hit their community?

Now, without further ado, we’re excited to share with you the next episode of the CIO Podcast by Healthcare IT Today.

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