Island in the stream? CIOs are approaching surgery as either a standalone operation or a link in the EMR-enabled continuum of care.

Experts and those in the trenches say that CIOs should: 1) think strategically about how their OR automation plan fits into their overall strategic IT plan; 2) consider not only surgery PACS, but also other systems that enhance the process of surgery, such as perioperative and interoperative systems, including those that allow OR nurses and anesthesiologists to document patient vital signs and other measures in real time; 3) keep in mind the diversity of needs of different surgeons (cardio-thoracic, orthopedic, neurologic, urologic, etc.) and the different needs based on planned or emergency surgery requirements.