One of the ways that HITECH Answers is different from other media sites is the sense of community. The thought leaders in our community are good about sharing their thought on the issues of today. We publish at least eleven guest posts a week now, on our three sites. In case you missed some, here are the top ten read and shared guest posts of the month. You can also read previous month’s Top Ten Lists. Thank you for contributing and reading.
Switching EHRs – leaving the frying pan for the fire?
By Susan Clark, HIT Solutions Executive, eHealthcare Consulting Inc.
Thinking about switching EHRs? This is a really big decision. Much bigger than choosing between the red patent pumps and snakeskin peep-toes, or your salsa selection at Chipotle. So before you rush into making a move, consider the following: Why am I even considering switching in the first place? Is the vendor sunsetting your product or not keeping up with ONC (Office of National Coordinator) certification? Or does your staff report that it is no good (probably using much stronger language), that there are too many clicks, or can’t get desired reports? Continue reading on HITECHAnswers.net…
Post EHR Implementation – 5 Things You Need To Do
By Glenda Wickus, Hayes Management Consulting
Electronic health record (EHR) implementation, planning, training, implementation, scheduling, optimization, planning, implementation, implementation! These concepts seem to be the only words we hear buzzing around our heads when we talk about EHRs. But what about post-live? There seems to be a scarcity of conversation once the initial shock has worn off and routines start emerging. Sometimes just knowing how to use something new isn’t enough. Are you leveraging your new EHR to its full potential? Here’s an easy, low cost checklist to ensure you are optimizing your EHR. Continue reading on HITECHAnswers.net…
How is the iPad EHR Transforming Care Delivery?
By Alex Tate
The use of mobile technology has expanded significantly, and according to the Cisco Visual Networking Index, by 2016 there will be 10 billion mobile devices in use worldwide. With the introduction of 3G and 4G, advances in technology have impacted and transformed service delivery and changed the way consumers access information and conduct transactions. This technology is now transforming how patient care is delivered. Tablet PCs such as the iPad and healthcare IT applications are transforming many aspects of clinical practice and assisting HCPs with numerous important tasks such as health record maintenance, patient management and monitoring, and communications and consulting. Continue reading on HITECHAnswers.net…
Health and Electronic Security
By Matt Fisher, Attorney and chair of the Health Law Group at Mirick, O’Connell, DeMallie & Lougee, LLP.
The rapid adoption of electronic health records (“EHR”) and other new technology in healthcare has resulted in the introduction of serious security threats. Numerous stories and reports have made it clear that hackers, criminals and others view the healthcare industry as a ripe target due to security vulnerabilities. This issue is exacerbated by the high value placed upon medical records in the black market. Continue reading on HITECHAnswers.net…
Interoperability and the Trough of Disillusionment
By John Halamka, MD
Every technology has an adoption journey. The classic Gartner hype curve travels from a Technology Trigger to the Peak of Inflated Expectations followed by the Trough of Disillusionment. It often takes years before organizations reach the Slope of Enlightenment and finally achieve a Plateau of Productivity. Have you noticed that Congress and the popular press have entered the Trough of Disillusionment for EHRs and interoperability over the past month? Continue reading on HIEAnswers.net…
Don’t Sleep on ICD-10 Testing
By Ken Edwards, VP of Operations at ZirMed
The value of ICD-10 testing is deeper than confirming that your software is up-to-date and your vendors are tuned in and ready to support you throughout the transition. Testing is a time-sensitive training and learning opportunity for you, your vendors, and your payers—invaluable for key front-line staff in particular. For back-office administrators and staff, testing is a chance to examine existing claims management processes with fresh eyes—it’s an opportunity for deliberate, structured reflection among teams whose day-to-day is likely fast-paced and non-stop. Continue reading on RCMAnswers.net…
Informatics is Important When Information Is Important
By William Hersh, MD, Professor and Chair, OHSU
Many of us in the informatics field, myself included, sometimes believe that the value proposition of informatics is so intuitively obvious that we do not need to explain it to the rest of the world. API-based interoperability? Secondary use of clinical data? Standardized terminology? Their value is so certain that we need not explain it. Not! However, informatics is in the mainstream of healthcare now, and healthcare recognizes that using data and information to improve processes and outcomes while reducing costs is an essential part of doing business. Clearly there is room for improvement in how operational informatics is being done, but there is no turning back. Continue reading on HITECHAnswers.net…
Inside the Data Scientist’s Tool Box: How to Maximize Information with Dr. Paul Bradley
By Sarianne Gruber
Paul Bradley, Ph.D. is the Chief Data Scientist at ZirMed, Inc. Having completed both his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Mathematics and Computer Science, he is skilled in data analysis technology, data mining and strategic business decisions. Prior to ZirMed, he was Chief Data Scientist for Method Care. Paul recently delivered an educational session at the HIMSS 2015 Annual Conference held in Chicago on “Using Data Analytics for Improving Productivity”. His presentation examined how Northwestern Memorial Hospital implemented a combination of technology improvements and best practices to reduce manual tasks, increase productivity and maximized revenue. Continue reading on RCMAnswers.net…
PQRS – Understanding the why, not the how
By Peggy Losey, Manager of Ambulatory Incentive Programs, ehealthcare Consulting Inc.
You’ve read the implementation guides, followed the guidance of your EHR vendor and mapped all of the requirements to collect data. You’ve attended webinars, listened to live chats and completed all trainings related to program incentives and penalties. Workflows have been observed and reworked. Redesign strategies are in place. All requisite data fields are enabled and your staff is trained. Early gap analyses reflect that your blood, sweat and tears to transition to an electronic environment, comply with governmental directives and your Medicare payments will continue to flow without sanction. Let the clicking begin. Continue reading on HITECHAnswers.net…
Health IT Standards Committee and Task Forces
By Jon White, M.D./Acting Deputy National Coordinator & Steven Posnack, M.S., M.H.S./Director, Office of Standards and Technology
Spring has arrived in Washington and it is the season of change. In our ongoing pursuit of agile and effective public service, we turn our attention today to how we get timely and effective public input. Over the past 6 years, the Health IT Standards Committee (HITSC), one of ONC’s Federal Advisory Committees, has undertaken its work using several workgroup models. Each assembled to provide the full committee with detailed input so that ultimately the HITSC could make recommendations to ONC. Continue reading on HIEAnswers.net…
Read All Our Guest Posts
- On HITECH Answers
- On HIE Answers
- On RCM Answers