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 seven guest posts a week now, Monday through Thursday. 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.
Six Recommendations to Achieve Interoperability Nirvana
By Tom Bizzaro, RPh, Vice President of health policy at FDB
As most organizations have now adopted electronic records, getting those systems to work together is the next big challenge on the horizon. Earlier this year, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) published a 10-Year Vision to Achieve an Interoperability for Health IT Infrastructure. The ONC publication is meant to move the industry toward the much coveted interoperability that will enable healthcare organizations to seamlessly share patient information. Continue reading…
Ebola and HIPAA: Lessons for Public Emergencies
By Matt Fisher, Attorney and chair of the Health Law Group at Mirick, O’Connell, DeMallie & Lougee, LLP.
The recent uproar over Ebola brought HIPAA in emergency situations to the forefront when it comes to what information may be shared and when. The various healthcare facilities that treated Ebola patients were constantly grilled for updates on patients as well as information relating to the movements and other activities of those patients. The public seemed to feel entitled to receive the updates and information because of the perceived public danger represented by a potential Ebola outbreak. Continue reading…
A Holistic Approach to Population Health
By Suzanne Cogan,VP of Sales and Client Relationships, Orion Health USA
Here in America, we are beginning to accept the fact that our healthcare system is not sustainable as it currently stands. With an aging population and fragmented, disparate, and oftentimes redundant care, our country is wasting over $910 billion every year (Berwick & Hackbarth, April 2012) on failed care coordination, over-treatment, administrative complexity and other factors. However, with the advent and adoption of comprehensive population health management technology and a systematic shift toward value-based care, much of this waste can be eliminated. Continue reading…
More EHR Audits Planned for 2015
By Matthew Smith, Director of Marketing & Communications at Health Directions
More EHR audits are on the way. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) will continue to pay closer attention to the healthcare industry’s use of electronic health records–in particular HIPAA security, EHR incentive payments and fraud, according to the office’s recently released 2015 work plan. Continue reading…
EHR Optimization 101: Assigning Roles
By Alex Tate
The future might bring us Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems which automatically enter and record complete patient clinical encounters, verify insurance eligibility, and add notes; minimizing the need for support staff. However, we must live in the present and adapt to technology as it progresses, and not daydream about technology that is years, probably even decades away. Continue reading…
Avoiding Common Healthcare Analytics Pitfalls
By Russ Staheli, Health Catalyst
When you invested in an analytics, I’m guessing you signed up for data-driven solutions, not additional healthcare analytics pitfalls and inefficiencies. Yet that’s exactly what your health system is dealing with — problems and inefficiencies that keep popping up when all you really want to focus on is improving quality and cost. I see this a lot when I’m out in the field helping health systems architect their analytics solutions. Continue reading…
Closing the Gap Between Your Clinical and IT Staff
By Lorie Richardson, Director, Acct Mgmt., Hayes Management Consulting
It’s easy to assume that there is little to no intersection in the day-to-day duties of your IT staff and your clinical staff. And, in large part, you are correct in this assumption, except for when it comes to patient satisfaction and safety. Creating an environment of communication for these two essential departments can improve teamwork, align priorities and in the end save your organization time and money. Continue reading…
Budgeting Tips for a Successful ICD-10 Transition
By Ken Bradley, VP Stategic Planning & Regulatory Compliance, Founding Member of Navicure
School buses are chugging through suburban neighborhoods. The early morning holds a taste of cool crispness. Department stores are displaying coats and sweaters. Yes, fall is in the air. And you know what else is in the air? Annual budgeting. Continue reading…
Continued Good News for the Health IT Workforce
By William Hersh, MD, Professor and Chair, OHSU
The job and career opportunities in health information technology (HIT) continue to grow, even though we are reaching the end of the “stimulus” of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. Two recent surveys from HIMSS Analytics and HealthITJobs.com show that the bullish attitude I maintain about jobs and careers in HIT and informatics is warranted. Continue reading…
Practice Size Correlates to EHR Usage
By Candice Artland
The National Center for Health Statistics concluded in January of 2014 that a majority of office based doctors (78.4%) utilized electronic health record systems (EHR) in 2013. However, it was noted that practice size correlated to the usage of EHRs. A staggering half of doctors in solo practices did not use EHR, while a mere 10% of physicians in practices with 20 plus didn’t. Continue reading…