In this episode of Beyond the Blueprint, emergency physician and health IT strategist Dr. John Lee unpacks the systemic failures slowing down our emergency departments—and why AI alone won’t fix them. With firsthand insights from the front lines and the boardroom, Dr. Lee makes the case for building data governance and transparency before jumping into artificial intelligence. We explore why foundational analytics matter, what most organizations get wrong about innovation, and how strategic design can reduce ED chaos. Whether you’re a CMIO, a health system leader, or innovating in clinical ops, this episode offers a blueprint for smarter, scalable change in acute care.

Key Takeaways

• Organizations often skip foundational analytics for AI.
• Emergency departments face systemic issues affecting patient care.
• Cost and care quality are often at odds in healthcare.
• Data governance is crucial for effective analytics.
• Change management is essential for technology adoption.
• Emerging technologies must be integrated into workflows.
• Strategic planning is often overlooked in healthcare organizations.
• Transparency in healthcare processes is lacking.
• Improving ED efficiency requires addressing upstream issues.
• The future of healthcare will involve augmented intelligence.

Episode Highlights

00:00 The Foundation of Healthcare Analytics
04:44 Challenges in Emergency Departments
13:06 The Role of AI in Healthcare
17:14 Future of Augmented Intelligence in Healthcare
23:21 Strategic Planning in Healthcare Organizations
30:04 Final Thoughts on Transformational Leadership

Guest: John Lee - HIT Peak Advisors
Host: Gregg Malkary - Spyglass Consulting Group
Cohost: Keith Washington - Companions in Courage Foundation
Sponsored by: Simplifi Medical & Storage Systems Unlimited
Audio/Video: Tim Jones - Health Nuts Media
Marketing: Josh Troop - Troop-Creative
Learn More at: www.beyond-blueprint.com