ABSTRACT
This chapter explains why Savings is an important domain in the STEPSTM model. It Identifies at least one reason why there is a debate about the positive financial impact of Health Information Technology (HIT) in healthcare organizations. The chapter describes the sub-values of the Savings domain. HIT implementation is an expensive endeavor for any healthcare organization, as it involves a number of upfront and ongoing expenses. For many organizations, especially smaller medical practices or nursing homes with lower cash flow, cost alone prohibits the ability to properly implement and maintain a HIT system. Layered on top of the expense of the system, is a priority placed on financial performance in the healthcare sector. The operational efficiency refers to resource savings realized from the elimination of waste through HIT enhanced workflow processes. The STEPSTM Savings domain is a critical domain of the model as the evidence in this area considers the financial impact of HIT.
