Online Podcast: Online CME, What's Available?
This podcast is provided by Medical Economics and Ortho-McNeil Neurologics
Online CME podcast #2 of 3
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Dell Latitude XT convertible tablet PC, first look
Should be coming out later this year.
More details as they become available. SV
Dell video demo
Should be coming out later this year.
More details as they become available. SV
Dell video demo
Saturday, July 28, 2007
THE PRESIDENT’S COMMISSION ON CARE FOR AMERICA’S RETURNING WOUNDED WARRIORS
A key recommendation is to facilitate the seemless transfer of medical information between the DoD and the VA as well as a site to review benefit information. Perhaps a PHR is in the works, if so, hopefully it will be built along standards that permit bi-directional transfer with commercial products. SV
Recommendation #5: DoD and VA must move quickly to get clinical and benefit data to users. In addition, DoD and VA should jointly develop an interactive “My eBenefits” website that provides a single information source for service members.
Goals: Support a patient-centered system of care and efficient practices.
Commission Report
A key recommendation is to facilitate the seemless transfer of medical information between the DoD and the VA as well as a site to review benefit information. Perhaps a PHR is in the works, if so, hopefully it will be built along standards that permit bi-directional transfer with commercial products. SV
Recommendation #5: DoD and VA must move quickly to get clinical and benefit data to users. In addition, DoD and VA should jointly develop an interactive “My eBenefits” website that provides a single information source for service members.
Goals: Support a patient-centered system of care and efficient practices.
Commission Report
EHR study: Practices without EHRs faired better overall on Quality Score Review, Archives of Internal Medicine
The study is based upon data from 2003-2004. Many of the systems lacked Clinical Decision Support as well as e-Prescribing. While four years may not seem like long time for some people, a lot has happened since 2004: CCHIT, SureScripts adoption, RxHub adoption, inclusion of Epocrates, Skyscapes and Multum into EHRs. As the products have evolved, they have moved from simple documentation systems to health guidance systems. The real challenge, is to teach the practices to use the Decision Support/Point of Care options that are increasing available and help them be more comfortable with the transition from a paper based practice to an electronic one. SV
Archives of Internal Medicine
The study is based upon data from 2003-2004. Many of the systems lacked Clinical Decision Support as well as e-Prescribing. While four years may not seem like long time for some people, a lot has happened since 2004: CCHIT, SureScripts adoption, RxHub adoption, inclusion of Epocrates, Skyscapes and Multum into EHRs. As the products have evolved, they have moved from simple documentation systems to health guidance systems. The real challenge, is to teach the practices to use the Decision Support/Point of Care options that are increasing available and help them be more comfortable with the transition from a paper based practice to an electronic one. SV
Archives of Internal Medicine
Monday, July 23, 2007
QuadraMed to Acquire Misys Computerized Patient Record (CPR)
Reston, VA — July 22, 2007 — QuadraMed® Corporation (Amex: QD) today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Computerized Patient Record (CPR) assets of Misys Healthcare, a division of Misys plc (FTSE: MSY.L), for $33 million in cash. Misys CPR is a leading enterprise-wide computerized patient record and electronic health record system. This transaction is expected to close within sixty days. Following the closing, QuadraMed will file additional financial information in connection with its public company reporting obligations.
"Adding the CPR product to QuadraMed’s suite of healthcare solutions is a key step in our plan to accelerate QuadraMed’s growth while delivering on our Care-Based Revenue Cycle strategy," said Keith Hagen, CEO of QuadraMed. "As a result of this acquisition, QuadraMed will be positioned to support the clinical information systems needs of large complex hospitals and healthcare delivery systems, particularly those focused on full clinical integration, clinical decision support and Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE). Each of these is an important component of our healthcare industry’s quest to increase patient safety and quality.
QuadraMed
Reston, VA — July 22, 2007 — QuadraMed® Corporation (Amex: QD) today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Computerized Patient Record (CPR) assets of Misys Healthcare, a division of Misys plc (FTSE: MSY.L), for $33 million in cash. Misys CPR is a leading enterprise-wide computerized patient record and electronic health record system. This transaction is expected to close within sixty days. Following the closing, QuadraMed will file additional financial information in connection with its public company reporting obligations.
"Adding the CPR product to QuadraMed’s suite of healthcare solutions is a key step in our plan to accelerate QuadraMed’s growth while delivering on our Care-Based Revenue Cycle strategy," said Keith Hagen, CEO of QuadraMed. "As a result of this acquisition, QuadraMed will be positioned to support the clinical information systems needs of large complex hospitals and healthcare delivery systems, particularly those focused on full clinical integration, clinical decision support and Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE). Each of these is an important component of our healthcare industry’s quest to increase patient safety and quality.
QuadraMed
Sunday, July 22, 2007
PHYSICIAN GROUPS IMPROVE QUALITY AND GENERATE SAVINGS UNDER MEDICARE PHYSICIAN PAY FOR PERFORMANCE DEMONSTRATION
I believe most if not all had HIT in place.SV
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced today that all participating physician groups improved the clinical management of diabetes patients in the first year of the three-year Medicare Physician Group Practice (PGP) Demonstration. This demonstration rewards providers for coordinating and managing the overall health care needs of Medicare patients with chronic conditions.
Under the demonstration, which began April 1, 2005, physician groups continue to be paid on a fee-for-service basis and have the opportunity to share in savings generated from enhancements in care management.
All ten of the participating physician groups - Billings Clinic, Everett Clinic, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic, Forsyth Medical Group, Geisinger Clinic, Middlesex Health System, Marshfield Clinic, Park Nicollet Health Services, St. John's Health System, and the University of Michigan Faculty Group Practice - achieved benchmark or target performance on at least seven of the ten diabetes clinical quality measures. Two physician groups -- Forsyth Medical Group and St. John's Health System - met all ten benchmarks.
These physician groups have redesigned care to improve clinical quality and to create more efficient and effective delivery systems. As a result, in addition to the quality improvements across all groups, two groups - Marshfield Clinic and University of Michigan Faculty Group Practice - earned performance payments for quality and efficiency of $7.3 million as their share of the $9.5 million in savings to the Medicare program. Additional groups had lower Medicare spending growth rates than their local markets but not sufficiently lower to share in savings.
CMS
I believe most if not all had HIT in place.SV
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced today that all participating physician groups improved the clinical management of diabetes patients in the first year of the three-year Medicare Physician Group Practice (PGP) Demonstration. This demonstration rewards providers for coordinating and managing the overall health care needs of Medicare patients with chronic conditions.
Under the demonstration, which began April 1, 2005, physician groups continue to be paid on a fee-for-service basis and have the opportunity to share in savings generated from enhancements in care management.
All ten of the participating physician groups - Billings Clinic, Everett Clinic, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic, Forsyth Medical Group, Geisinger Clinic, Middlesex Health System, Marshfield Clinic, Park Nicollet Health Services, St. John's Health System, and the University of Michigan Faculty Group Practice - achieved benchmark or target performance on at least seven of the ten diabetes clinical quality measures. Two physician groups -- Forsyth Medical Group and St. John's Health System - met all ten benchmarks.
These physician groups have redesigned care to improve clinical quality and to create more efficient and effective delivery systems. As a result, in addition to the quality improvements across all groups, two groups - Marshfield Clinic and University of Michigan Faculty Group Practice - earned performance payments for quality and efficiency of $7.3 million as their share of the $9.5 million in savings to the Medicare program. Additional groups had lower Medicare spending growth rates than their local markets but not sufficiently lower to share in savings.
CMS
Dell Vostro, a better solution for small business?
It looks like Dell may be taking customer feedback more seriously:
no trialware, better support, off-site back up, easy networking.
In Italian, Vostro means your, as in "your business computer".
What do you think? SV
Introducing DellTM VostroTM , a new suite of notebooks, desktops and services designed exclusively for small businesses with 1-25 employees, simple or no networks and limited or no in-house IT support. Every Vostro comes complete with:
No trialware.
Customers said they hated trialware, so we took it away. Vostro systems come without annoying trialware pre-installed. You only get the software you want.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee1.
No restocking or return shipping fees. Try yours today, worry-free.
Dell's most comprehensive standard services for small businesses.
Vostro systems come with the level of services small businesses need: Let Dell technicians remotely troubleshoot your system with DellConnectTM 2.
Includes 1-Year 10GB DataSafeTM Online Data Backup subscription to help protect your data.
Includes 1-Year PC TuneUp3 to keep your system running efficiently.
Connect easily to simple networks with Network Assistant.
DELL
It looks like Dell may be taking customer feedback more seriously:
no trialware, better support, off-site back up, easy networking.
In Italian, Vostro means your, as in "your business computer".
What do you think? SV
Introducing DellTM VostroTM , a new suite of notebooks, desktops and services designed exclusively for small businesses with 1-25 employees, simple or no networks and limited or no in-house IT support. Every Vostro comes complete with:
No trialware.
Customers said they hated trialware, so we took it away. Vostro systems come without annoying trialware pre-installed. You only get the software you want.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee1.
No restocking or return shipping fees. Try yours today, worry-free.
Dell's most comprehensive standard services for small businesses.
Vostro systems come with the level of services small businesses need: Let Dell technicians remotely troubleshoot your system with DellConnectTM 2.
Includes 1-Year 10GB DataSafeTM Online Data Backup subscription to help protect your data.
Includes 1-Year PC TuneUp3 to keep your system running efficiently.
Connect easily to simple networks with Network Assistant.
DELL
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Parkland Hospital Deploys Galvanon’s MediKiosk™ in the ER to Decrease Patient Wait Times
MAITLAND, Fla. – Parkland Health & Hospital System, based in Dallas, recently launched self-service check-in kiosks in the emergency room to speed the delivery of care and streamline registration processes. The technology, called MediKiosk, is provided by Galvanon, a subsidiary of NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR).
“My hope with this system is that we can provide a more comfortable check-in process,” said Jennifer Sharpe, director, emergency services, at Parkland Hospital. “It also allows us to better manage those who are waiting, by selecting patients based on medical criteria, not waiting time.”
According to a June 2007 report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of patient visits to emergency rooms increased to an all-time high of 115 million in 2005. The National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey shows an increase of 5.1 million emergency room visits in 2005. This represents an average of 219 visits to U.S. emergency rooms every minute.
Three self-service check-in stations in the Parkland emergency room triage area offer patients the option of interacting in either English or Spanish. Instead of waiting in line to explain their symptoms, patients can identify themselves at one of the kiosks by entering their name, along with an additional identifier, such as a birth date. Patients then use the kiosk’s touch screen to identify their symptoms by pointing to areas on a body diagram where they feel pain and answering brief questions about the nature of their visit.
Video
Galvanon
MAITLAND, Fla. – Parkland Health & Hospital System, based in Dallas, recently launched self-service check-in kiosks in the emergency room to speed the delivery of care and streamline registration processes. The technology, called MediKiosk, is provided by Galvanon, a subsidiary of NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR).
“My hope with this system is that we can provide a more comfortable check-in process,” said Jennifer Sharpe, director, emergency services, at Parkland Hospital. “It also allows us to better manage those who are waiting, by selecting patients based on medical criteria, not waiting time.”
According to a June 2007 report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of patient visits to emergency rooms increased to an all-time high of 115 million in 2005. The National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey shows an increase of 5.1 million emergency room visits in 2005. This represents an average of 219 visits to U.S. emergency rooms every minute.
Three self-service check-in stations in the Parkland emergency room triage area offer patients the option of interacting in either English or Spanish. Instead of waiting in line to explain their symptoms, patients can identify themselves at one of the kiosks by entering their name, along with an additional identifier, such as a birth date. Patients then use the kiosk’s touch screen to identify their symptoms by pointing to areas on a body diagram where they feel pain and answering brief questions about the nature of their visit.
Video
Galvanon
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
PQRI: Is your claims clearing house stripping away your NPI?
It has come to the attention of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that some Clearinghouses are stripping the National Provider Identifier (NPI) prior to submission of the claim to Medicare. This will adversely affect Eligible Professionals in that these claims will not count toward PQRI participation. CMS urges Eligible Professionals that use clearinghouses to check with their clearinghouse to assure NPIs are not being stripped from claims. If the Eligible Professional determines that their clearinghouse is stripping NPIs from the claim, the Eligible Professional may want to consider other billing options.
It has come to the attention of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that some Clearinghouses are stripping the National Provider Identifier (NPI) prior to submission of the claim to Medicare. This will adversely affect Eligible Professionals in that these claims will not count toward PQRI participation. CMS urges Eligible Professionals that use clearinghouses to check with their clearinghouse to assure NPIs are not being stripped from claims. If the Eligible Professional determines that their clearinghouse is stripping NPIs from the claim, the Eligible Professional may want to consider other billing options.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Web 2.0 vs Onboard Software Survey for the iPhone
Are the limited number of software options blocking your purchase of the iPhone?
Let us know. SV
iPhone survey
Are the limited number of software options blocking your purchase of the iPhone?
Let us know. SV
iPhone survey
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
CCHIT Town Call: Inpatient EHR Certification for 2007
The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT) regularly schedules Town Calls to discuss its progress and proposed direction with members of the healthcare community.
NEXT TOWN CALL: Inpatient EHR Certification
11 AM EDT / 8 AM PDT
July 12, 2007
Call-in Number: (877) 313-5342
Conference ID Number: 5450233
The presentation will be available prior to the call at www.cchit.org/towncall.
The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT) regularly schedules Town Calls to discuss its progress and proposed direction with members of the healthcare community.
NEXT TOWN CALL: Inpatient EHR Certification
11 AM EDT / 8 AM PDT
July 12, 2007
Call-in Number: (877) 313-5342
Conference ID Number: 5450233
The presentation will be available prior to the call at www.cchit.org/towncall.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Health Information Technology (HIT) Implementation Testing and Support web site for the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) Initiative launched
This web site, developed in partnership between the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT), Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel (HITSP), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) provides HIT implementers with access to the tools and resources needed to support and test their implementation of standards-based health systems.
This site provides information about the key initiatives that serve as the foundation for the nationwide health IT infrastructure. It provides an overview of the HITSP Interoperability Specifications and the standards that they reference; and provides access to the test resources that are available to support their implementations. On this site, you will also find links to additional information about CCHIT, HITSP, our test approach, and how you can contribute to the on-going expansion of this site as a testing partner.
NIST
This web site, developed in partnership between the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT), Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel (HITSP), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) provides HIT implementers with access to the tools and resources needed to support and test their implementation of standards-based health systems.
This site provides information about the key initiatives that serve as the foundation for the nationwide health IT infrastructure. It provides an overview of the HITSP Interoperability Specifications and the standards that they reference; and provides access to the test resources that are available to support their implementations. On this site, you will also find links to additional information about CCHIT, HITSP, our test approach, and how you can contribute to the on-going expansion of this site as a testing partner.
NIST
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Tennessee uses Shared Health's Clinical Health Record (CHR)
Until individual practices are set up with EHRs, state wide initiatives like Shared Health can provide access to some helpful data such immunizations, lab results from reference labs and prescription data from PBMs. Since this is based on claims data, some reservations about its accuracy remain. SV
Shared Health
Until individual practices are set up with EHRs, state wide initiatives like Shared Health can provide access to some helpful data such immunizations, lab results from reference labs and prescription data from PBMs. Since this is based on claims data, some reservations about its accuracy remain. SV
Shared Health
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Missouri CyberAccess, Electronic Health Record Program for Medicaid
Health Information Technology is increasingly being used by states to improve care and potentially find savings for their Medicaid programs. SV
An innovative Electronic Health Record (EHR) program for Medicaid recipients is available to their healthcare providers. The Web-based tool, called CyberAccess sm , allows physicians to prescribe electronically, view diagnosis data, receive alerts, select appropriate preferred medications, and electronically request drug and medical prior authorizations for their Medicaid patients.
The Division of Medical Services contracts with ACS Heritage, Inc. to provide CyberAccesssm. To become a CyberAccesssm user, contact the ACS Heritage help desk at 888-581-9797 or 573-632-9797, or send an E-mail to MoMedCyberaccess@heritage-info.com. ACS Heritage staff will set up individual training sessions with each provider site that requests access to the Web tool.
CyberAccess sm is the first step toward a comprehensive electronic health record for Medicaid recipients. In the coming months, the Division will continue its commitment to EHR by expanding the number of providers with access to the system and by implementing a Web based plan of care for certain recipients.
MISSOURI DSS
Health Information Technology is increasingly being used by states to improve care and potentially find savings for their Medicaid programs. SV
An innovative Electronic Health Record (EHR) program for Medicaid recipients is available to their healthcare providers. The Web-based tool, called CyberAccess sm , allows physicians to prescribe electronically, view diagnosis data, receive alerts, select appropriate preferred medications, and electronically request drug and medical prior authorizations for their Medicaid patients.
The Division of Medical Services contracts with ACS Heritage, Inc. to provide CyberAccesssm. To become a CyberAccesssm user, contact the ACS Heritage help desk at 888-581-9797 or 573-632-9797, or send an E-mail to MoMedCyberaccess@heritage-info.com. ACS Heritage staff will set up individual training sessions with each provider site that requests access to the Web tool.
CyberAccess sm is the first step toward a comprehensive electronic health record for Medicaid recipients. In the coming months, the Division will continue its commitment to EHR by expanding the number of providers with access to the system and by implementing a Web based plan of care for certain recipients.
MISSOURI DSS
Thursday, July 05, 2007
CMS (Medicare) will retire exemption permitting electronic prescriptions sent by fax in 2009
This will have a major impact on the industry for all involved. Pharmacies stand to save $1 to $2 by having prescriptions submitted directly via network like SureScripts using the NCPDP standards. Software vendors should see a boost in sales. Of course, the ball is now in their court to make sure their products are up to the task. Physicians will have to modify their workflow to include e-Prescribing. Fortunately there are free solutions like NEPSI and MCO sponsored initiatives that should absorb the cost of software and hardware. Perhaps some PBMs will even share in the savings with the physician community. Patient safety and convenience will improve also.
For the non-speed readers, the important pages are 394 and 401. SV
CMS Ruling
This will have a major impact on the industry for all involved. Pharmacies stand to save $1 to $2 by having prescriptions submitted directly via network like SureScripts using the NCPDP standards. Software vendors should see a boost in sales. Of course, the ball is now in their court to make sure their products are up to the task. Physicians will have to modify their workflow to include e-Prescribing. Fortunately there are free solutions like NEPSI and MCO sponsored initiatives that should absorb the cost of software and hardware. Perhaps some PBMs will even share in the savings with the physician community. Patient safety and convenience will improve also.
For the non-speed readers, the important pages are 394 and 401. SV
CMS Ruling
Monday, July 02, 2007
Apple iPhone medical applications from Unbound Medicine
While the iPhone does not permit loading applications the way Symbian and Windows Mobile do, you can use the cellular or WiFi connection to view books online. While not as convenient as non-connected access, it also means that the references should be updated centrally as with any ASP system. Let us know how what you think. SV
Unbound Medicine offers a wide choice of medical products for the iPhone, placing emphasis on well known, regularly updated references. Among the popular titles available are Harrison’s Manual of Medicine and Pocket Guide to Diagnostic Tests from McGraw-Hill, 5-Minute Clinical Consult from Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Red Book® from the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Davis’s Drug Guide and Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary from F.A. Davis. Unbound MEDLINE rounds out the offering, allowing clinicians to track favorite medical journals and quickly search more than 17 million journal articles.
Unbound Medicine’s customized iPhone interface takes full advantage of the built-in Safari™ web browser to give health professionals quick answers over cellular and WiFi networks. Users navigate intuitively
by tapping on index terms or by entering searches into clinician-friendly forms. Cross-links and lists of related content instantly take a clinician from a disease management discussion to a drug monograph for the correct dose, possible interactions, and adverse effects of a recommended medication.
Unbound Medicine
While the iPhone does not permit loading applications the way Symbian and Windows Mobile do, you can use the cellular or WiFi connection to view books online. While not as convenient as non-connected access, it also means that the references should be updated centrally as with any ASP system. Let us know how what you think. SV
Unbound Medicine offers a wide choice of medical products for the iPhone, placing emphasis on well known, regularly updated references. Among the popular titles available are Harrison’s Manual of Medicine and Pocket Guide to Diagnostic Tests from McGraw-Hill, 5-Minute Clinical Consult from Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Red Book® from the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Davis’s Drug Guide and Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary from F.A. Davis. Unbound MEDLINE rounds out the offering, allowing clinicians to track favorite medical journals and quickly search more than 17 million journal articles.
Unbound Medicine’s customized iPhone interface takes full advantage of the built-in Safari™ web browser to give health professionals quick answers over cellular and WiFi networks. Users navigate intuitively
by tapping on index terms or by entering searches into clinician-friendly forms. Cross-links and lists of related content instantly take a clinician from a disease management discussion to a drug monograph for the correct dose, possible interactions, and adverse effects of a recommended medication.
Unbound Medicine
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