Got people? With HITECH deadlines looming, CIOs need to ramp up staffing if they are to achieve meaningful use certification.

A severe shortage of IT professionals who can help implement EMR, CPOE, and other core clinical technologies could soon emerge across hospitals nationwide. CIOs could face staffing challenges both within their organizations, and with regard to the vendors and consulting firms they might engage to facilitate implementation. Keys to retaining staff include ensuring competitive pay scales, creating good career ladders, and getting one's team engaged and excited.