Mike Skinner
Director, Data Management and Technology Services

Mr. Skinner has more than twenty years of executive and technical healthcare experience managing large, mission-critical IT operations, healthcare information technology (HIT) system development and implementation, and regional health information organization (RHIO) planning, deployment and management.

Mr. Skinner is a hands-on, results-oriented HIT manager with a systems development, programming, and implementation background. His many technological accomplishments include early development of lab- and hospital-based order entry modules and system-to-system and system-to-device interfaces; developing early vendor-based project management, system implementation, training, and conversion methodologies. He is a skilled team leader, having directed large system implementation and conversion teams with diverse skill sets assigned to multiple projects for reference labs and hospital-based labs in US, Mexico, and Canada; directing the conversion and implementation of very large commercial laboratory information systems (LISs). He spearheaded the development of HIT compliance programs in large, high-volume laboratories; development and implementation of early RHIO structures, methodologies, and technologies. Mr. Skinner is also a well-known presenter and speaker on the subject of RHIOs.

Before joining Outlook Associates, Mike was a successful independent HIT consultant serving in the capacity of Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Care Data Exchange, served as Vice President of IT Southern California for Quest Diagnostics (formerly Unilab Corporation), Director of Implementation for Antrim Corporation, Implementation Specialist for Cerner Corporation, Manager of Implementations for Rubicon Corporation and Systems Engineer for EDS Corporation.

Representative Accomplishments

• As Senior management team member for 8 years, responsible for IT functions and staff of 25 for 2nd largest US-based commercial laboratory.
• Served as Executive Director for the Santa Barbara County Care Data Exchange. Responsible for product management activities such as security testing, as well as user acceptance testing (UAT), implementing and managing governance activities, developing financial sustainability models, negotiating a long-term service agreement with Quovadx, Inc on behalf of the RHIO, and developing the model for data providers and data users. The methodology and materials resulting from this effort became the baseline for many future RHIO start ups.
• Authored extensive “Lessons Learned” reports surrounding RHIOs with particular emphasis on governance, community stakeholder participation, identifying positive and negative trends, consumer aspects, and the complex legal and liability issues surrounding data providers and data users in a “many-to-many” clinical environment.
• Authored an extensive Administrative and Operations Policy and Procedure Manual (AOPP) for Santa Barbara County. The AOPP was designed to prescribe the minimum requirements for using and accessing the system to comply with federal and state regulations, yet allowed organizations enough flexibility to avoid replacement of existing procedures (such as common account request forms). The AOPP has served as a template and example for other communities.
• Ensured compliance was achieved for all relevant HIPAA regulations surrounding the deployment of the Santa Barbara RHIO. Also worked extensively with understanding and complying with “minor consent” legislation in California affecting the disclosure of certain PHI (personal health information) of minors.
• Presenter and panelist at numerous HIT conferences including HIMSS and HIT Summits. Participated in presentations at CalRhio. Key note speaker for a variety of conferences on the subject RHIOs.
• As a member of corporate HIPAA, CAP and CLIA compliance teams, responsible for the development and implementation of audit functions and survey material for discovering improper disclosures, and properly communicating improper disclosures. Also participated on HIPAA QI teams to constantly identify opportunities for privacy and security enhancements, and compliance improvements.
• Authored numerous HIT articles on subjects such interfacing, implementation methodologies, and RHIOs.
• Extensive technology research and testing over many years for alternatives that are deployed for more effectively delivering crucial clinical data to care providers while significantly reducing IT expenses.