The COVID-19 pandemic changed nearly everything for healthcare facilities in 2020, but nothing might have seen a greater impact than IT. Healthcare IT adoption skyrocketed as hospitals, health systems and patients increasingly relied on digital health technologies for care delivery during the pandemic. Managers responsible for facilities and security also felt the impact of the IT transformation.

Consider the evolving role of the CIO and IT teams. Health systems relied on technology to swiftly move to virtual care, remote work and more coordinated communication and data management during the pandemic, according to Becker’s Health IT. Cybersecurity was also a new priority as ransomware attackers hit hospitals and health systems. As a result, the CIO's expertise was in high demand in 2020, and that trend likely will continue.

Organizations will continue accelerated digital transformation next year, and the CIO's role will evolve to look more like that of a COO, overseeing the organization's strategy and risk management. IT teams also are evolving to include more people with clinical backgrounds, data scientists and senior security professionals.

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