3 Ways to Tackle Medical Image Management Problems
The ability to share medical images is part of the federal push to implement progressive data-sharing capabilities in healthcare organizations. Health information exchanges (HIE), for instance, especially depend on this. However, while the picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) used by providers today can perform plenty of functions with images – create, access, annotate, store […]
Not Always Health For Health’s Sake? 5 Ways to Push Patient Wellness
You can technically practice medicine without caring about the health of your patients. It wouldn’t make you a good doctor though. However, years of experience will tell you some patients simply don’t put forth as much efforts towards their personal health as they should.
Choosing an ACO? How the Shared Savings Program May Convince You
You’re on the fence about joining an Accountable Care Organization, as if you’re stuck on a med school acceptance letter all over again. Perhaps you thought law school would’ve been a better decision at one point. Perhaps you think joining an ACO isn’t for you right now. Perhaps. But perhaps it’s also true that you’re […]
ICD-10: Will You Be Unfairly Targeted?
Upcoding has been the subject of much press since the release of a rather contested New York Times article in September. In it, critics of electronic health records blame the systems for unfairly increasing E/M coding levels over the last few years, and even the HHS reported the practice was “vulnerable to fraud and abuse.” […]
3 HIT Necessities to Ensure Your Practice is Ready for Disaster Situations
Responding to disasters is something every healthcare institution needs to be ready for. From hurricanes to snowstorms to wildfires, having a plan in place and technology to back it up is critical to an effective response. During these times of crisis many simple things, such as contacting relatives of patients or ordering crucial supplies can […]
How Do Electronic Superbills Increase Efficiency?
Toss the term superbill into a conversation with no context and your audience will either think you’re discussing an upcoming concert, a comic hero modeled after President Clinton, or just abnormally large legal tender. But alas, superbills are forms reserved for medical practitioners and clinicians, the main source for creating healthcare claims that are later […]
3 Ways to Be a Health IT Hero at Your Practice
“Every movement needs its heroes,” said ONC head Dr. Farzad Mostashari, referring to the health IT industry during a sit-down at the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives’ (CHIME) Fall Forum Thursday afternoon. Mostashari’s talk set the healthcare IT Twittersphere abuzz with snippets and snappy commentary, most notably his comparison of an impossibly perfect Muggle […]
How To Promote Healthy Living At Your Medical Practice
The benefits of healthy living are well documented and continually impressed upon patients. But have you thought about how an organizational approach to employee health could actually strengthen your business? “There’s a huge cost to employers when there’s a turnover of any kind,” explained Susan Moriconi, vice president of human resources at Omnicell, a medication […]
What do Placebos Mean for Today’s Practice?
In many circles, the term ‘placebo’ sounds antiquated, and may even remind older readers of the country’s psychiatric hospital craze circa the 1950s and ’60s. And like widespread psychiatric hospitalization, placebos also have a longstanding history with controversy. In 1903, Richard Cabot dismissed placebos despite his upbringing, claiming “I have not yet found any case […]
What to Ask Software Vendors About ICD-10
An advisory sent Aug. 8 by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reminds healthcare providers to contact their software vendor to discuss ICD-10 implementation plans and timelines for system upgrades, testing, staff training, and ongoing support. “This will allow you to plan your implementation activities, budget and timeline accordingly,” the notice explained.
