Health IT Issues that Deserve a Second Read – September 2024

One of the ways that Answers Media is different from other media sites is the sense of community. The thought leaders in our community are good about sharing their thoughts on the issues of today. We publish at least eight guest posts a week now, so in case you missed some, here are the top ten read and shared guest posts in the month of September. You can also read previous month’s Top Ten Lists. Thank you for contributing and reading.

Most Played Radio Episode in September

From News You Can Use with hosts Dr. Nick & Dr. Craig listen in to hear their thoughts on: Heart Disease to Housing Lawsuits; Epic’s Cosmos study on heart disease in aging populations; Correlations with LDL and HDL levels & critiques the study’s summary and conclusions; The need for caution as the data isn’t peer-reviewed; Announcements from Epic’s UGM meeting & more!

Most Read Thought Leader Posts in September

HHS Begins Enforcement of Information Blocking Rules for Healthcare Providers
By Chris Emper, Government Affairs Advisor, NextGen Healthcare
LinkedIn: Chris Emper
LinkedIn: NextGen Healthcare

In December 2016, the U.S. Congress passed the 21st Century Cures Act, in part to mandate that different EHR systems, hospitals, and physician groups share patient data in compliance with new information blocking rules. Following the passage of the law, it took several years for the HHS to issue a final regulation detailing exactly what these data-sharing rules would require and… Continue reading…

Controlling Care Costs for Chronic Kidney Disease
By Julie Schulz, MD, MPH, VP, Product, Avalon Healthcare Solutions
LinkedIn: Julie Schulz, MD, MPH
LinkedIn: Avalon Healthcare Solutions

In addition to being one of the top 10 causes of death in the United States, chronic kidney disease is a significant driver of cost for commercial insurance and Medicare. These significant costs can be avoided with earlier detection, better quality care, and aligned physician incentives. Health plans, physicians, and patients often feel powerless to delay the progression of… Continue reading…

Harnessing Design Systems to Advance EHR Accessibility and Digital Health Equity
By Jennifer Sagerian, Manager, UX, Design System and Accessibility Program Lead, & Tammy Coutts, Lead Software Designer, UX/Usability, MEDITECH
LinkedIn: Jen Sagerian
LinkedIn: Tammy Coutts

Among the many weaknesses laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic was the lamentable state of web accessibility. According to the Bureau of Internet Accessibility, 90% of US adults said the internet was “essential” during the pandemic. However, more than 97% of homepages tested by BOIA in 2021 had identifiable issues preventing them from conforming with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, the international standard for digital accessibility. Continue reading…

Creating a Healthier IT Environment
By Mat Buttrey, Senior Product Manager & Strategic Lead – Healthcare, PaperCut
LinkedIn: Matthew Buttrey
LinkedIn: PaperCut Software

In the digital era, technological developments are radically transforming healthcare, leading to improved patient care and operational efficiency. Yet, despite the rapid pace of technological advancement, the healthcare industry is still largely dominated by paper-based workflows and physical documents. This means within a large healthcare organization, there may be thousands of printing devices spread across multiple buildings and locations. Continue reading…

The Anesthesiology Crisis: How Direct Hiring Can Help
By Tim Hanners, Managing Principal, Lumina Health Partners
LinkedIn: Tim Hanners
LinkedIn: Lumina Health Partners

Anesthesiology is a medical specialty in crisis. Simply put, the current number of Anesthesiologists, CRNAs and AAs and the numbers coming out of training will not be enough to accommodate both current and future demands. Providers who are available and working now are often under contract by third-party firms, owned by private equity or venture capital firms, who view them as a means to provide a return on investment. Continue reading…

A Sea-Change is Coming in How Laboratory-Developed Tests are Regulated – Is your Lab Ready?
By Inga Rose, Founder & CEO, & Aaron Schlum, Head of Operational Development, Reference Medicine
LinkedIn: Inga Rose
LinkedIn: Aaron Schlum
LinkedIn: Reference Medicine

On May 6, FDA published a final rule that will change the way laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) are regulated. The rule phases out the agency’s general policy of “enforcement discretion” and mandates that, across five stages within the next four years, LDTs will be beholden to the same regulatory requirements as in vitro diagnostics (IVDs). Continue reading…

How Healthcare Leaders Are Preparing for 2025: HIMSS Strategy Summit Recap
By Julie Bastien, Vice President, Marketing, eVideon Health
LinkedIn: Julie Bastien
LinkedIn: Vibe Health by eVideon

Last month, healthcare leaders came together in Las Vegas for the HIMSS ‘25 Strategy Summit—a powerful “check-in” ahead of the spring 2025 HIMSS Global Health Conference. This gathering wasn’t just another meeting; it was a chance for us to pause, reflect, and thoughtfully consider how our strategic planning is shaping up against the fast-evolving landscape of healthcare. Continue reading…

Using AI to Improve Claim Denials Management
By Sarah Mendiola, Vice President of Denials, R1
LinkedIn: Sarah Mendiola, Esq., LPN, CPC, CPCO
LinkedIn: R1 RCM

Claims denials are an issue that do not merely take a financial toll on healthcare providers; they create a ripple effect that delays payment, eats up staff time and resources, and worsens the patient experience. Of course, the financial expense cannot be ignored. Hospitals and health systems spend an estimated $19.7 billion per year to fight denied claims, according to a recent report from Premier. Continue reading…

Five Things to Watch for the Future of Healthcare
By Howard Wu, CEO, Whereby
LinkedIn: Howard Wu
LinkedIn: Whereby

Health technology is rapidly transforming the landscape of healthcare, driving innovations that promise to enhance patient outcomes, streamline operations and make care more accessible. From cutting-edge developments in wearable devices to breakthroughs in telemedicine, the sector is teeming with advancements poised to redefine our approach to health and wellness. Here are five key trends in health tech that are setting the stage for a new era in medical science and patient care. Continue reading…

The Hidden Cost Savings of Security Risk Assessments in Healthcare
By Art Gross, President and CEO, HIPAA Secure Now!
LinkedIn: Art Gross
LinkedIn: HIPAA Secure Now!

In a field where every decision impacts patient care and your bottom line, finding cost-saving strategies is essential. Have you considered that regular Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) could not only protect your patients but also keep your practice financially sound? Continue reading…