NIH has granted $142 million to Mayo Clinic to establish the world’s largest biobank as part of the Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has declared that it will provide $142 million over 5 years to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota to create the world’s largest biobank as part of the Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program.
The award will assist the Mayo Clinic gather, store, and distribute biospecimens for precision medicine research. The funding will help to advance the Precision Medicine Initiative, which aims to collect healthcare data on over one million participants.
“This range of data at the scale of 1 million people will be an unprecedented resource for researchers working to understand all the factors that influence health and disease,” said Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, NIH Director. “The more we understand about individual differences, the better able we will be to tailor the prevention and treatment of illness.”
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
How State Policymakers affect the Health Insurance Mergers
There are 2 clear perspectives on the potential affect of these major health insurance mergers. Some consider it will lead to a monopoly while others find no such issues.
In the state of Missouri, policymakers issued an order that would stop the Aetna-Humana acquisition from proceeding in post-merger activity within Missouri's Medicare Advantage plans as well as some commercial health plans. The two biggest health insurance mergers on the horizon today are receiving a fair amount of scrutiny from a wide number of stakeholders.
The American Medical Association (AMA), for instance, released a statement by President Steven J. Stack, MD, supporting Missouri policymakers for their decision to prevent the Aetna-Humana merger from affecting their healthcare delivery system.
The AMA announced that major health insurance mergers would create “anticompetitive market power” and thereby hurt the end consumers. The merger in Missouri could have hurt the Medicare Advantage market particularly the elderly patients who are in need of affordable healthcare coverage.
In the state of Missouri, policymakers issued an order that would stop the Aetna-Humana acquisition from proceeding in post-merger activity within Missouri's Medicare Advantage plans as well as some commercial health plans. The two biggest health insurance mergers on the horizon today are receiving a fair amount of scrutiny from a wide number of stakeholders.
The American Medical Association (AMA), for instance, released a statement by President Steven J. Stack, MD, supporting Missouri policymakers for their decision to prevent the Aetna-Humana merger from affecting their healthcare delivery system.
The AMA announced that major health insurance mergers would create “anticompetitive market power” and thereby hurt the end consumers. The merger in Missouri could have hurt the Medicare Advantage market particularly the elderly patients who are in need of affordable healthcare coverage.
Are mHealth Kiosks is attempting to comeback?
The VA and a Washington-based health system are testing mHealth kiosks, and a new company is touting its self-enclosed clinic as an alternative to the urgent care center.
mHealth enthusiasts take note: The kiosk is not dead yet.
While HealthSpot’s assets – involving hundreds of the bankrupt company’s room-sized kiosks – were disposed of in an online auction over the Memorial Day weekend, smaller versions of the self-serve booths are showing up in health systems across the nation.
The Veterans Administration is utilizing the kiosks in rural parts of the country as an alternative to new clinics or VA hospitals, former U.S. secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake, MD LTG (Ret.) said during the recent American Telemedicine Association conference in Minneapolis. In Washington, the 48-hospital CHI Franciscan Health system has just launched a “virtual urgent care concierge program,” using kiosks to help sort through the mix of high- and low-acuity patients at its clinics and EDs.
mHealth enthusiasts take note: The kiosk is not dead yet.
While HealthSpot’s assets – involving hundreds of the bankrupt company’s room-sized kiosks – were disposed of in an online auction over the Memorial Day weekend, smaller versions of the self-serve booths are showing up in health systems across the nation.
The Veterans Administration is utilizing the kiosks in rural parts of the country as an alternative to new clinics or VA hospitals, former U.S. secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake, MD LTG (Ret.) said during the recent American Telemedicine Association conference in Minneapolis. In Washington, the 48-hospital CHI Franciscan Health system has just launched a “virtual urgent care concierge program,” using kiosks to help sort through the mix of high- and low-acuity patients at its clinics and EDs.
Hospital EHR Adoption of Basic Networks Tops 83 percent, CEHRT 96 percent
Most hospitals are utilizing the certified EHR technology, but certain types of hospitals still lag behind in EHR adoption and use.
Certified EHR technology is in place at most hospitals with basic EHR technology adoption also reaching an all-time high, in accordance to new data issued by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
The latest data brief made present on the HealthIT.gov Dashboard puts the percentage of hospitals with CEHRT at 96% in the year 2015, down nearly a full percentage point from 2014's figure of 96.9%. Hospital adoption of basic EHR technology, meanwhile, rose from 75.5 percent in 2014 to 83.8 percent in 2015. All told, since 2008 hospital adoption of the latter rose by nearly nine times, from 9.4 percent to the current figure.
Leading the way in adoption were Maryland (95%), Nevada (94%), Washington (94%), Wyoming (94%), Massachusetts (93%), Virginia (93%), Utah (93%), Arkansas (90%), and New Mexico (90%).
This ONC data once again needs clarification as to the different between the types of EHR technology. A handy chart accompanying the data brief shows how basic EHR with clinician notes stacks up to comprehensive EHR. Other than supporting advanced directions, the former does everything the latter does for electronic clinical information.
Certified EHR technology is in place at most hospitals with basic EHR technology adoption also reaching an all-time high, in accordance to new data issued by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
The latest data brief made present on the HealthIT.gov Dashboard puts the percentage of hospitals with CEHRT at 96% in the year 2015, down nearly a full percentage point from 2014's figure of 96.9%. Hospital adoption of basic EHR technology, meanwhile, rose from 75.5 percent in 2014 to 83.8 percent in 2015. All told, since 2008 hospital adoption of the latter rose by nearly nine times, from 9.4 percent to the current figure.
Leading the way in adoption were Maryland (95%), Nevada (94%), Washington (94%), Wyoming (94%), Massachusetts (93%), Virginia (93%), Utah (93%), Arkansas (90%), and New Mexico (90%).
This ONC data once again needs clarification as to the different between the types of EHR technology. A handy chart accompanying the data brief shows how basic EHR with clinician notes stacks up to comprehensive EHR. Other than supporting advanced directions, the former does everything the latter does for electronic clinical information.
Certified EHR adoption 'almost universal' in acute care hospitals
The recent data on EHR adoption indicates almost all non-federal acute care hospitals are utilizing the certified EHR technology. In accordance to the National Coordinator for Health IT, 96% of hospitals had this technology as of the year 2015, which it deems as "almost universal."
Here are 3 more statistics on EHR adoption.
Here are 3 more statistics on EHR adoption.
- The 2015 amounts of certified EHR adoption are similar to those of the year 2014, demonstrating the adoption of this technology has hit a plateau.
- Small, rural and critical access hospitals yet have lower amounts of EHR adoption than all hospitals.
- Moreover, psychiatric and children's hospitals have primarily lower basic EHR adoption rates than general medicine hospitals, at 15% and 55%, respectively.
Mistakes in the data payers have on provider impact the patient decision making
Payers and provider are attempting to maintain the accuracy of data contained in their directories and networks, and due to these issues, healthcare consumers are not capable to gain sufficient values from their information.
Data practices and consolidation of fragmented data would bring significant benefits to payers, which are under increasing pressure to make better the information they present to consumers, in accordance to a recent report from IDC Health.
Customers hope payers to make available quality provider data, contends Jeff Rivkin, research director for payer IT strategies at IDC Health Insights. However, he discusses that payer directories sustain to be inaccurate, out of date, and generally hard to use.
By issuing the directories online, health insurance companies expected to solve some of these problems. Nevertheless, in accordance to Rivkin, it only served to highlight for consumers the poor quality of directory data. Because directory data tends to be incorrect, members are likely to be hit with out-of-network charges; patients are not able to find contributors that accept new patients; and overall consumer satisfaction is declining.
The IDC report cites 1 vendor who contended that in its survey of 200 U.S. health plans, payers were only 55 to 70% correct on critical directory fields.
Rivkin makes the case that incorrect, inadequate provider information is no longer acceptable in this increasingly litigious, regulated, consumer-focused and competitive setting in which payers is operating. Consequently, he considers health insurers should be prepared for increased network adequacy and directory quality audits from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Furthermore, California, Maryland, New Jersey, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., now require proactive verification of provider data.
“The fines are coming; the audits are happening,” Rivkin alerts.
An adequate network involves providers that can address a variation of patient healthcare needs and deliver the services that the plan covers under its benefits package, Rivkin notes. Particularly, he asserts that “network adequacy" refers to a health plan’s ability to deliver benefits promised by offering the reasonable access to a sufficient number of in-network primary care and specialty physicians, as well as all healthcare services included under the terms of the contract.
Consequently, from the perspective of insurers, maintaining the precision of their directories is imperative for their own success, Rivkin contends.
But payers are not totally to blame. Provider information is constantly changing and therefore very difficult to keep up to date. The IDC report notes that 2% of provider demographics change each month; 20 to 30% of doctors change affiliations each year; 5% of doctors have a status change each year—they lose their license, retire, die or are sanctioned.
Rivkin analyzes that because regulations are increasingly targeted at payers, insurers are genuinely putting pressure on contributors, who are the source of the bad data. “Now, we are seeing some situations where payers are declaring to providers that they will not pay their claims if they do not keep their information in directories updated,” he adds. “That is a pretty severe way of doing things, but it does get their attention.”
The IDC report gives various recommendations for assisting payers implement a successful directory and network strategy:
Data practices and consolidation of fragmented data would bring significant benefits to payers, which are under increasing pressure to make better the information they present to consumers, in accordance to a recent report from IDC Health.
Customers hope payers to make available quality provider data, contends Jeff Rivkin, research director for payer IT strategies at IDC Health Insights. However, he discusses that payer directories sustain to be inaccurate, out of date, and generally hard to use.
By issuing the directories online, health insurance companies expected to solve some of these problems. Nevertheless, in accordance to Rivkin, it only served to highlight for consumers the poor quality of directory data. Because directory data tends to be incorrect, members are likely to be hit with out-of-network charges; patients are not able to find contributors that accept new patients; and overall consumer satisfaction is declining.
The IDC report cites 1 vendor who contended that in its survey of 200 U.S. health plans, payers were only 55 to 70% correct on critical directory fields.
Rivkin makes the case that incorrect, inadequate provider information is no longer acceptable in this increasingly litigious, regulated, consumer-focused and competitive setting in which payers is operating. Consequently, he considers health insurers should be prepared for increased network adequacy and directory quality audits from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Furthermore, California, Maryland, New Jersey, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., now require proactive verification of provider data.
“The fines are coming; the audits are happening,” Rivkin alerts.
An adequate network involves providers that can address a variation of patient healthcare needs and deliver the services that the plan covers under its benefits package, Rivkin notes. Particularly, he asserts that “network adequacy" refers to a health plan’s ability to deliver benefits promised by offering the reasonable access to a sufficient number of in-network primary care and specialty physicians, as well as all healthcare services included under the terms of the contract.
Consequently, from the perspective of insurers, maintaining the precision of their directories is imperative for their own success, Rivkin contends.
But payers are not totally to blame. Provider information is constantly changing and therefore very difficult to keep up to date. The IDC report notes that 2% of provider demographics change each month; 20 to 30% of doctors change affiliations each year; 5% of doctors have a status change each year—they lose their license, retire, die or are sanctioned.
Rivkin analyzes that because regulations are increasingly targeted at payers, insurers are genuinely putting pressure on contributors, who are the source of the bad data. “Now, we are seeing some situations where payers are declaring to providers that they will not pay their claims if they do not keep their information in directories updated,” he adds. “That is a pretty severe way of doing things, but it does get their attention.”
The IDC report gives various recommendations for assisting payers implement a successful directory and network strategy:
- Categorize the provider information; determine data tiers and the prices of data quality. Separate core directory data from operational data from “quality-would-be-nice-to-have” data.
- For the directory data, adopt a collective non-competitive mindset. Is this data really a competitive advantage? Is it worth the cost of doing it alone?
- Use powerful data model and data architecture, making sure that one system of record for all provider data.
- Execute a multi-year comprehensive baseline, reactive and proactive access to maintaining the provider information ecosystem
Monday, May 30, 2016
FDA Passes Daclizumab (Zinbryta ) for Multiple Sclerosis
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) passed the daclizumab (Zinbryta, Biogen Idec) today for treatment of sufferers with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), in accordance to an FDA news release.
The agency cautions, although, that the drug should be used only in sufferers who have failed to respond to one or two prior therapies, as the new agent has serious safety risks, including potentially severe liver damage and immune conditions.
The drug is offererd by self-administered subcutaneous injection once a month.
"Zinbryta provides an additional choice to patients who may require a new option for treatment," said William Dunn, MD, director of the Division of Neurology Products in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in the release.
The agency cautions, although, that the drug should be used only in sufferers who have failed to respond to one or two prior therapies, as the new agent has serious safety risks, including potentially severe liver damage and immune conditions.
The drug is offererd by self-administered subcutaneous injection once a month.
"Zinbryta provides an additional choice to patients who may require a new option for treatment," said William Dunn, MD, director of the Division of Neurology Products in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in the release.
3 Hong Kong nurses guilty of professional misconduct after sufferer dies because of blocked airway
Three nurses were found guilty of professional misconduct on the day of Monday following a serious medical blunder in which a 73-year-old cancer patient died after a breathing hole on his throat was blocked by gauze.
This was a landmark case for the Nursing Council, the statutory body that licenses and disciplines medical professionals, with a dozen public nurses awaiting verdicts after a hearing that lasted seven months.
The3 nurses who were convicted had straightly participated in the care of the patient, who had advanced cancer hypopharynx, in the year 2011. Their 9 colleagues were cleared of the charges.
This was a landmark case for the Nursing Council, the statutory body that licenses and disciplines medical professionals, with a dozen public nurses awaiting verdicts after a hearing that lasted seven months.
The3 nurses who were convicted had straightly participated in the care of the patient, who had advanced cancer hypopharynx, in the year 2011. Their 9 colleagues were cleared of the charges.
Military Veteran Seeks a Mission Nursing Fellow Vets at the VA
Nursing assistant Tom Alligood wears camouflage scrubs during his emergency room shifts at the Dorn VA hospital because he claims that it helps other veteran patients realize they have "walked over the same dirt," the 62-year-old former Army tanker says.
And he does not just mean the desert sands of Iraq.
Alligood means homelessness, job loss and the mental anguish of being a long-time military veteran trying to adjust to the trials of a dog-eat-dog, backstabbing civilian world he says nearly ate him alive.
"I require being around veterans like me. That's where I get my strength, my 'positiveness' from," says the burly former first sergeant who now sports a long, gray braid on his back.
Alligood says he has discovered a new mission - working in the sprawling Columbia VA hospital and helping as many of his one-time brothers and sisters in arms as he can.
And the VA is looking for more persons like Alligood.
And he does not just mean the desert sands of Iraq.
Alligood means homelessness, job loss and the mental anguish of being a long-time military veteran trying to adjust to the trials of a dog-eat-dog, backstabbing civilian world he says nearly ate him alive.
"I require being around veterans like me. That's where I get my strength, my 'positiveness' from," says the burly former first sergeant who now sports a long, gray braid on his back.
Alligood says he has discovered a new mission - working in the sprawling Columbia VA hospital and helping as many of his one-time brothers and sisters in arms as he can.
And the VA is looking for more persons like Alligood.
Aetna, Humana still confront antitrust issues
Although Aetna Inc. agreed to purchase Humana Inc. for $37 billion last summer, both companies independently moved forward with policies to relocate their Jacksonville offices away from Downtown to suburban offices on the Southside.
It is probably a good thing the companies did not wait on completion of the merger to make those decisions because in accordance to a couple of reports last week, there are still antitrust concerns that could derail the deal.
Bloomberg News reported that, based on the track record of the U.S. Justice Department under the Obama administration, the Aetna-Humana deal may have a tough time getting federal approval.
Aetna’s proposed acquisition of Humana coincides with another health insurer deal in which Anthem Inc. agreed to purchase Cigna Corp. That would reduce the number of major national health insurance companies to three: Aetna, Anthem and UnitedHealth Group Inc.
Aetna has about 800 workers but said the Southside site was chosen “with potential employment growth in mind.”
Before the merger was declared in July 2015, Humana had already made policie to move 100 employees out of Downtown Jacksonville to two Southside locations, Prominence Plaza in Baymeadows and Merchants Walk in Mandarin. The merger agreement did not stop that process.
Aetna has said it hopes to complete the acquisition in the second half of this year.
It is probably a good thing the companies did not wait on completion of the merger to make those decisions because in accordance to a couple of reports last week, there are still antitrust concerns that could derail the deal.
Bloomberg News reported that, based on the track record of the U.S. Justice Department under the Obama administration, the Aetna-Humana deal may have a tough time getting federal approval.
Aetna’s proposed acquisition of Humana coincides with another health insurer deal in which Anthem Inc. agreed to purchase Cigna Corp. That would reduce the number of major national health insurance companies to three: Aetna, Anthem and UnitedHealth Group Inc.
Aetna has about 800 workers but said the Southside site was chosen “with potential employment growth in mind.”
Before the merger was declared in July 2015, Humana had already made policie to move 100 employees out of Downtown Jacksonville to two Southside locations, Prominence Plaza in Baymeadows and Merchants Walk in Mandarin. The merger agreement did not stop that process.
Aetna has said it hopes to complete the acquisition in the second half of this year.
Aetna, Texas Health Resources develop a jointly owned health policy
In provider-insurer collaboration, Texas Health Resources and Aetna on the day of Thursday declared the formation of a jointly owned health policy company.
Texas Health brings to the table the contributors along with an investment in the population health management. Aetna has the health policy expertise and analytical insights.
Aetna and Texas Health Resources will equally share ownership and accountability, in accordance to a statement from both agencies.
The partnership is the 1st of its kind in Texas for the agencies, but represents Aetna's 2nd joint venture with a nonprofit health system. Aetna stated that it plans to move 75% of its contracts to value-based care models by the year 2020.
Collaborations between contributors and insurers are becoming more usual as a way to lower costs and the cost of premiums.
Texas Health brings to the table the contributors along with an investment in the population health management. Aetna has the health policy expertise and analytical insights.
Aetna and Texas Health Resources will equally share ownership and accountability, in accordance to a statement from both agencies.
The partnership is the 1st of its kind in Texas for the agencies, but represents Aetna's 2nd joint venture with a nonprofit health system. Aetna stated that it plans to move 75% of its contracts to value-based care models by the year 2020.
Collaborations between contributors and insurers are becoming more usual as a way to lower costs and the cost of premiums.
Several hospitals, systems report financial downturns because of EHR implementations
The implementation of electronic health records systems (EHR) on a huge scale has ruined the bottom lines of several major healthcare agencies. Among them, in accordance to Becker's Hospital Review, are heavyweight hospitals and healthcare networks like the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas and Partners HealthCare, the predominant contributor network in Massachusetts.
Despite of the fairly generous federal incentives for installing the electronic health records (EHRs) and achieving several stages of meaningful use, undertaking like initiative can mostly pose vexing financial challenges for contributors.
On the individual practice level, various physicians yet feel that the price of the EHR implementation outweighs the advantages. Hospital officials sometimes have the similar mixed feelings. A latest survey of hospital executives by Black Book Market Research discovered a vast majority at financially strapped services and systems regretted the outlay on such systems.
MD Anderson reported a $160.5 million decrease in adjusted income in the 7-month period ended on the day of March 31--a drop of 56.5%--because of the implementation of its new Epic EHR system, in accordance to Becker's,
Partners reported a $74.1 million decrease in operating income for its most recent quarter, a situation it also attributes in part to EHR execution woes, the article reported. Other hospitals and systems, like Sutter Health in the state of California, and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston also reported drops in income because of the EHR problems and issues.
Despite of the fairly generous federal incentives for installing the electronic health records (EHRs) and achieving several stages of meaningful use, undertaking like initiative can mostly pose vexing financial challenges for contributors.
On the individual practice level, various physicians yet feel that the price of the EHR implementation outweighs the advantages. Hospital officials sometimes have the similar mixed feelings. A latest survey of hospital executives by Black Book Market Research discovered a vast majority at financially strapped services and systems regretted the outlay on such systems.
MD Anderson reported a $160.5 million decrease in adjusted income in the 7-month period ended on the day of March 31--a drop of 56.5%--because of the implementation of its new Epic EHR system, in accordance to Becker's,
Partners reported a $74.1 million decrease in operating income for its most recent quarter, a situation it also attributes in part to EHR execution woes, the article reported. Other hospitals and systems, like Sutter Health in the state of California, and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston also reported drops in income because of the EHR problems and issues.
Friday, May 27, 2016
Nursing experts have several recommendations for SAH, claims union
An independent panel of nursing experts has made an unprecedented 91 suggestions to make better the patient care in the 3C Acute Medical Short Stay Unit at Sault Area Hospital.
"The expert panel discovered that nursing professional practice and workload uncertainties raised by registered nurses are legitimate and justified," stated the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN. "The panel made suggestions to deal what our nurses know are insufficient base RN staffing levels, unsafe, unmanageable and risky nurse-patient ratios, a high level of patient acuity and activity that has left our committed RNs unable to offer quality care and meet their proposed professional practice standards."
The Independent Assessment Committee (IAC) is a panel of 3 nurse experts opted to consider uncertainties from registered nurses and hospital management and make suggestions to address them.
Calling in an IAC is a last resort when nurses and management cannot resolve problems.
The panel of 3 nurse experts heard evidence from the Unit's registered nurses and hospital management about patient care problems at a 3-day hearing in the month of early April.
Primary findings of the expert panel include:
"The expert panel discovered that nursing professional practice and workload uncertainties raised by registered nurses are legitimate and justified," stated the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN. "The panel made suggestions to deal what our nurses know are insufficient base RN staffing levels, unsafe, unmanageable and risky nurse-patient ratios, a high level of patient acuity and activity that has left our committed RNs unable to offer quality care and meet their proposed professional practice standards."
The Independent Assessment Committee (IAC) is a panel of 3 nurse experts opted to consider uncertainties from registered nurses and hospital management and make suggestions to address them.
Calling in an IAC is a last resort when nurses and management cannot resolve problems.
The panel of 3 nurse experts heard evidence from the Unit's registered nurses and hospital management about patient care problems at a 3-day hearing in the month of early April.
Primary findings of the expert panel include:
- Base RN staffing and nurse-to-patient ratio are inadequate and the medical unit needed extra RN staffing;
- Measures must be taken to deal the concern that RNs were not capable to regularly take their scheduled rest and meal breaks, leading to fatigue and low morale.
Latest mHealth Partnership Launches a Digital Link to the EHR
California-based Direct Urgent Care is utilizing digital stethoscope to integrate mHealth data straightly into the medical record.
A California-based chain of urgent care clinics is integrating information from a digital stethoscope into its electronic health record, giving clinicians instant access to heart and lung sounds.
Direct Urgent Care, serving few 30,000 consumers in Berkeley, Mountain View and Oakland and soon expanding to San Francisco, is using the Eko Core Digital Stethoscope, which transmits data through a mobile app directly into the company’s drchrono EHR.
Caesar Djavaherian, MD, MS, FACEP, Direct Urgent Care’s founder, claims the typical stethoscope is a subjective device, depending on the doctor to listen to and analyze heart and lung sounds. With a digital stethoscope sending those sounds into the EHR, “you can very easily share that with a cardiologist … or a pulmonologist wherever they are.”
Whenever a sufferer is referred to a specialist, “the first thing they are going to want to do is re-evaluate the doctor’s concerns,” Djavaherian states. “They are going to want to listen to those sounds.” That might mean a delay of weeks or even months to schedule an appointment with a specialist.
A California-based chain of urgent care clinics is integrating information from a digital stethoscope into its electronic health record, giving clinicians instant access to heart and lung sounds.
Direct Urgent Care, serving few 30,000 consumers in Berkeley, Mountain View and Oakland and soon expanding to San Francisco, is using the Eko Core Digital Stethoscope, which transmits data through a mobile app directly into the company’s drchrono EHR.
Caesar Djavaherian, MD, MS, FACEP, Direct Urgent Care’s founder, claims the typical stethoscope is a subjective device, depending on the doctor to listen to and analyze heart and lung sounds. With a digital stethoscope sending those sounds into the EHR, “you can very easily share that with a cardiologist … or a pulmonologist wherever they are.”
Whenever a sufferer is referred to a specialist, “the first thing they are going to want to do is re-evaluate the doctor’s concerns,” Djavaherian states. “They are going to want to listen to those sounds.” That might mean a delay of weeks or even months to schedule an appointment with a specialist.
Do Worker Errors Jeopardize Healthcare Information Security?
A recent survey disclosed that 55% of companies experienced a security incident as the outcome of an employee error, which could demonstrate challenges to healthcare data security.
Several people have heard the adage that humans are not perfect. But, when it comes to patient data, human imperfections can lead to serious healthcare data security issues.
In a recent survey from Experian Data Breach Resolution and Ponemon Institute, researchers discovered that 55% of respondents at companies across industries have experienced a security incident or data breach because of a malicious or negligent employee.
Furthermore, 66% of survey participants reported that employees were the biggest challenge to developing and implementing robust data security postures.
Several people have heard the adage that humans are not perfect. But, when it comes to patient data, human imperfections can lead to serious healthcare data security issues.
In a recent survey from Experian Data Breach Resolution and Ponemon Institute, researchers discovered that 55% of respondents at companies across industries have experienced a security incident or data breach because of a malicious or negligent employee.
Furthermore, 66% of survey participants reported that employees were the biggest challenge to developing and implementing robust data security postures.
Why EHR Clinical Decision Support Devices Require More Research
Research indicates that effective, complex clinical decision support tools have lower EHR integration rates due to serious hurdles in research.
Real-time, patient-specific clinical decision support tools should be integrated into physician workflow, particularly given the near-ubiquitous adoption of EHRs. Despite this, physicians seen several hurdles to integrating CDS tools into their EHRs, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
In accordance to a research team led by Thomas McGinn, MD, MPH, CDS that is most successful in making better the patient care are those that provide real-time prompts to providers and that are hyper-specific to an individual patient’s medical history.
Although, the most commonly utilized CDS are one-dimensional, the team claims, and only provides physicians with general prompts.
“Most of the CDS tools being introduced are uni-dimensional and not incorporated into the physicians’ workflow,” McGinn and colleagues say. “[These are] one-dimensional alerts that are generally triggered by one or two EHR components like an element of patient history. Examples include flu-shot reminders at annual visits or reminders for colon-cancer screening triggered by patients’ age.”
While it is significant to remind sufferers to get their annual flu shot, these kinds of reminders have little effect on patient care because they rarely relate to the individual patient during the appointment and because the prompts are not presented to providers in an organic way.
Real-time, patient-specific clinical decision support tools should be integrated into physician workflow, particularly given the near-ubiquitous adoption of EHRs. Despite this, physicians seen several hurdles to integrating CDS tools into their EHRs, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
In accordance to a research team led by Thomas McGinn, MD, MPH, CDS that is most successful in making better the patient care are those that provide real-time prompts to providers and that are hyper-specific to an individual patient’s medical history.
Although, the most commonly utilized CDS are one-dimensional, the team claims, and only provides physicians with general prompts.
“Most of the CDS tools being introduced are uni-dimensional and not incorporated into the physicians’ workflow,” McGinn and colleagues say. “[These are] one-dimensional alerts that are generally triggered by one or two EHR components like an element of patient history. Examples include flu-shot reminders at annual visits or reminders for colon-cancer screening triggered by patients’ age.”
While it is significant to remind sufferers to get their annual flu shot, these kinds of reminders have little effect on patient care because they rarely relate to the individual patient during the appointment and because the prompts are not presented to providers in an organic way.
Congress Inquires CMS to Scrap Prior Authorization for Home Health
Congress expects CMS will reconsider its intended demonstration for prior authorization for home health services.
A CMS proposal to need a prior authorization screening for every home health service would be an administrative nightmare and may produce hurdles to care for needy sufferers, a group of 116 lawmakers stated in a letter to CMS this week.
"This demonstration project enforces costs on sufferers, providers and taxpayers,” the letter stated. “Delaying patient care while waiting for CMS to pass home health services may put patient health in jeopardy and cause sufferers to stay in the hospital longer than necessary."
In the month of February 2016, CMS proposed a prior authorization demonstration program for Medicare home health services in the state of Florida, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, and Massachusetts. The announcement was involved in a Paperwork Reduction Act notice in the Federal Register. These states, excluding Massachusetts, are currently involved in the HHS/Department of Justice fraud enforcement program.
A CMS proposal to need a prior authorization screening for every home health service would be an administrative nightmare and may produce hurdles to care for needy sufferers, a group of 116 lawmakers stated in a letter to CMS this week.
"This demonstration project enforces costs on sufferers, providers and taxpayers,” the letter stated. “Delaying patient care while waiting for CMS to pass home health services may put patient health in jeopardy and cause sufferers to stay in the hospital longer than necessary."
In the month of February 2016, CMS proposed a prior authorization demonstration program for Medicare home health services in the state of Florida, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, and Massachusetts. The announcement was involved in a Paperwork Reduction Act notice in the Federal Register. These states, excluding Massachusetts, are currently involved in the HHS/Department of Justice fraud enforcement program.
St. Charles Health Picks Epic as its EHR vendor
Health Data Management’s weekly roundup of health Information Technology contracts and deployments involves a move to the Epic electronic health records (EHRs) system by a four-hospital system in Oregon and the shift to a critical alert call system/real-time location system by a Six-hospital organization.
- St. Charles Health System, with 4 hospitals serving the Bend, Ore. region, is going with Epic as its next electronic health records (EHRs) vendor. The agency is in the final stages of contract negotiations and laying out the implementation timeline. Contract signing is hoped by mid-summer with a project kickoff in early fall. St. Charles hopes to hire more than 100 persons to staff its execution team and has begun recruiting.
- Six-hospital Genesis Health System facilitating the Quad Cities region of Iowa and Illinois is live in 4 hospitals with a critical alert nurse call system from Critical Alert Systems and Stanley Healthcare. The agency expects the new technology to assist to make better the HCAHPS scores, clinical staff productivity and operational efficiency. Stanley brings a real-time location system to the program.
- Open MRI of Allentown, Pa., will execute the eRAD radiology information system and supporting modules to automate more of its clinical and business workflows and make better the scheduling. The contract involves an insurance verification system. Open MRI, doing business as Allentown Diagnostic Imaging, also will utilize the new technology to supporting qualifying for Stage 2 EHR meaningful use incentive payments.
- Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust in the UK, hopes to go live on MEDITECH 6.0 by the end of the month May. The agency treats more than 30,000 sufferers yearly across ten sites. It also has a new specialist cancer center in Liverpool.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Humana and Aetna deal confronts pushback in the Missouri
A spokesman for Aetna stated that the agencies are ready to explain remedies with Missouri regulators, noting that the case won’t affect the pending federal regulatory process at the Department of Justice.
"This order doesn’t impede the DOJ approval procedure. We are disappointed with the Missouri order but open to have a constructive dialogue with the state to address their uncertainties," stated T.J. Crawford, Aetna's head of media relations.
Previous month, Aetna and Humana stated they had gained 15 of 20 essential state approvals, and the companies' executives claim they still hope the deal to close in the second half of the year.
Elevation LLC analyst Ira Gorsky stated that while Missouri's order presents an obstacle for the insurers, it amounts to conditional approval of the deal. He does not see an issue for the companies to discuss the needed state concessions.
"It is the 1st state approval to need the conditions," stated Gorsky. "I consider this is normal in the course of the procedure, and anyone that has been following this closely should have expected divestitures."
"This order doesn’t impede the DOJ approval procedure. We are disappointed with the Missouri order but open to have a constructive dialogue with the state to address their uncertainties," stated T.J. Crawford, Aetna's head of media relations.
Previous month, Aetna and Humana stated they had gained 15 of 20 essential state approvals, and the companies' executives claim they still hope the deal to close in the second half of the year.
Elevation LLC analyst Ira Gorsky stated that while Missouri's order presents an obstacle for the insurers, it amounts to conditional approval of the deal. He does not see an issue for the companies to discuss the needed state concessions.
"It is the 1st state approval to need the conditions," stated Gorsky. "I consider this is normal in the course of the procedure, and anyone that has been following this closely should have expected divestitures."
Top Three Ways ACOs Could Garner
Savings ACOs would benefit from adhering to state and federal laws, investing the time essential to operate this model of care, and pursuing risk-based payment contracts.
Payers and providers looking to operate through an accountable care organization (ACO) will require to adhere strictly to state and federal laws regarding the development of this model of care. Accountable care organizations are responsible for the quality and cost of care among a certain patient population and must abide by the laws and regulations that the federal government has passed in terms of ACO development.
The National Law Review also discussed the significance of adhering to state laws with regard to operating an accountable care organization. There are several decisions that need to be made when forming an accountable care organization including who can employ physicians and the type of control that can be exerted between payers and providers operating an ACO. all of this directly relates to state laws and healthcare regulations.
Along with abiding by federal and state laws, there are various measures that accountable care organizations can take to ensure success in the healthcare market. It is essential to invest the time and remain committed when operating accountable care organizations in order to reap the cost savings of such endeavors.
In case to reach the shared savings and obtain the revenue needed to maintain a successful ACO, it is beneficial to invest in risk-based payment arrangements with payers, stated Mark Wagar, President of the Heritage Provider Network.
“While they require to be careful about assuming more risk, I consider the greatest thing for ACOs is to be more aggressive,” Wagar explained. “There are too many healthcare agencies with potential that are sitting on the sidelines and saying ‘Let’s do just share savings because we can’t lose. We will bill for fee-for-service and if we happen to make better things, we get a bonus but otherwise, we don’t lose.’”
Payers and providers looking to operate through an accountable care organization (ACO) will require to adhere strictly to state and federal laws regarding the development of this model of care. Accountable care organizations are responsible for the quality and cost of care among a certain patient population and must abide by the laws and regulations that the federal government has passed in terms of ACO development.
Review state laws for ACO management
The National Law Review also discussed the significance of adhering to state laws with regard to operating an accountable care organization. There are several decisions that need to be made when forming an accountable care organization including who can employ physicians and the type of control that can be exerted between payers and providers operating an ACO. all of this directly relates to state laws and healthcare regulations.
Invest time and commitment
Along with abiding by federal and state laws, there are various measures that accountable care organizations can take to ensure success in the healthcare market. It is essential to invest the time and remain committed when operating accountable care organizations in order to reap the cost savings of such endeavors.
Pursue risk-based payment contracts
In case to reach the shared savings and obtain the revenue needed to maintain a successful ACO, it is beneficial to invest in risk-based payment arrangements with payers, stated Mark Wagar, President of the Heritage Provider Network.
“While they require to be careful about assuming more risk, I consider the greatest thing for ACOs is to be more aggressive,” Wagar explained. “There are too many healthcare agencies with potential that are sitting on the sidelines and saying ‘Let’s do just share savings because we can’t lose. We will bill for fee-for-service and if we happen to make better things, we get a bonus but otherwise, we don’t lose.’”
Why Most Sufferers at VCU Health Approve of the Sufferer Portal
At VCU Health, patients love the portal because it helps them better understands their health, and helps their providers’ delivery better care.
While healthcare professionals mostly hear that patient portals are critical to boosting patient engagement and making better the care quality, they may wonder if patients really value these tools.
In accordance to Susan Wolver, MD, associate professor of internal medicine at VCU Medical Center, the short answer to that question is yes, they do.
“We really just put out a survey within our patient portal and we have nearly 1,500 responses, so I know what patients are thinking about the portal from their end, and they truly love it as a patient engagement tool,” she stated.
“In fact, 80% of people said that it helps them take better care of themselves. So that’s unbelievable. Eighty-five percent of the people who knew their notes were there are actually looking at their notes.”
While healthcare professionals mostly hear that patient portals are critical to boosting patient engagement and making better the care quality, they may wonder if patients really value these tools.
In accordance to Susan Wolver, MD, associate professor of internal medicine at VCU Medical Center, the short answer to that question is yes, they do.
“We really just put out a survey within our patient portal and we have nearly 1,500 responses, so I know what patients are thinking about the portal from their end, and they truly love it as a patient engagement tool,” she stated.
“In fact, 80% of people said that it helps them take better care of themselves. So that’s unbelievable. Eighty-five percent of the people who knew their notes were there are actually looking at their notes.”
Making Health IT Interoperability More Accurate, Actionable
Widespread interoperability is not a reality merely yet for the healthcare industry, but the steps essential for acquiring it is indeed taking shape.
On the national level, The Sequoia Project has made considerable headway in removing technical and legal hurdles to health data exchange and data sharing, most recently with various organizations (e.g., Surescripts, Epic Systems, athenahealth) agreeing to implement the Carequality framework and paying the pathway for its providers to access sufferer data more widely.
In accordance to CEO Mariann Yeager, taking concrete action is essential for advancing interoperability more widely, effectively, and quickly. “Let’s recognize the hard problems that the community together can solve. Let’s begin rolling up our sleeves and working on those,” she claims.
On the national level, The Sequoia Project has made considerable headway in removing technical and legal hurdles to health data exchange and data sharing, most recently with various organizations (e.g., Surescripts, Epic Systems, athenahealth) agreeing to implement the Carequality framework and paying the pathway for its providers to access sufferer data more widely.
In accordance to CEO Mariann Yeager, taking concrete action is essential for advancing interoperability more widely, effectively, and quickly. “Let’s recognize the hard problems that the community together can solve. Let’s begin rolling up our sleeves and working on those,” she claims.
Newly Introduced MACRA Initiative targets to Support Providers
The MACRA and Risk Initiative targets to assist the AMGA members prepare for MACRA, adapt to risk-based payment systems and move away from volume-based care.
On the day of May 25, American Medical Group Association (AMGA) launched a resource to assist its members prepare for MACRA implementation as well as all risk-based payment systems.
“We’re making it our priority to ensure our members have the tools essential to meet the challenge of new and rapidly approaching payment models,” stated President and CEO Donald Fisher in a public statement.
The MACRA and Risk Initiative leverages AMGA’s expertise in offering advocacy and resources to help its members move away from volume-based care and toward value-based care.
“Most contributors have little experience operating in a risk environment. For that matter, few payers have extensive experience sharing risk with providers,” AMGA stated previously in public remarks on MACRA. As a result, providers require tools to help them adapt to the value-based care environment.
On the day of May 25, American Medical Group Association (AMGA) launched a resource to assist its members prepare for MACRA implementation as well as all risk-based payment systems.
“We’re making it our priority to ensure our members have the tools essential to meet the challenge of new and rapidly approaching payment models,” stated President and CEO Donald Fisher in a public statement.
The MACRA and Risk Initiative leverages AMGA’s expertise in offering advocacy and resources to help its members move away from volume-based care and toward value-based care.
“Most contributors have little experience operating in a risk environment. For that matter, few payers have extensive experience sharing risk with providers,” AMGA stated previously in public remarks on MACRA. As a result, providers require tools to help them adapt to the value-based care environment.
Bynder boosts the marketing software for healthcare agencies with HIPAA compliancy
Full cycle marketing and branding solution, Bynder, recently became the member of HIPAA compliant to deliver protective marketing software for healthcare agencies. Requiring agencies to manage protected health data, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), is a certification that sets the standard for protecting sensitive sufferer data. Bynder acquired HIPAA compliancy status through a recent Coalfire assessment. Healthcare agencies can now take advantage from enhanced security through this cloud-based marketing solution.
In recent years, the digitalization and advancement of pharma and healthcare data has driven the healthcare industry to adapt. Not just do marketing campaigns require being digital and scalable, online channels are also gaining in fame. Facebook groups, online medical journals and condition-specific community websites have made it convenient for sufferers to seek health data and support.
Jami Rahman, senior solutions architect U.S. at Bynder said “At Bynder we comprehend the significance of data security, particularly for our clients who work in highly regulated industries. For our customers in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, making sure all of their vendors and software meet every compliance and regulatory requirements are imperative.”
Michael Gaspar, program manager, social media, HIMSS Media said “Branding across entire industries is evolving as the consumer consciousness heightens. In healthcare particularly, I consider brands are going to begin telling stories on how technology is enriching lives and healthcare delivery as opposed to pitching the shiny latest characteristics of their smart watches, pills, wearables and management systems.”
With the industry moving towards digital engagement, healthcare agencies are seeing the requirement to invest in full-cycle marketing technology solutions that streamline the journey from content creation to distribution in case to involve clients at the right moment.
Bynder is a marketing and branding SaaS solution industry based in the place of Amsterdam with clients involving KLM, TomTom, Puma, Spotify and Logitech.
In recent years, the digitalization and advancement of pharma and healthcare data has driven the healthcare industry to adapt. Not just do marketing campaigns require being digital and scalable, online channels are also gaining in fame. Facebook groups, online medical journals and condition-specific community websites have made it convenient for sufferers to seek health data and support.
Jami Rahman, senior solutions architect U.S. at Bynder said “At Bynder we comprehend the significance of data security, particularly for our clients who work in highly regulated industries. For our customers in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, making sure all of their vendors and software meet every compliance and regulatory requirements are imperative.”
Michael Gaspar, program manager, social media, HIMSS Media said “Branding across entire industries is evolving as the consumer consciousness heightens. In healthcare particularly, I consider brands are going to begin telling stories on how technology is enriching lives and healthcare delivery as opposed to pitching the shiny latest characteristics of their smart watches, pills, wearables and management systems.”
With the industry moving towards digital engagement, healthcare agencies are seeing the requirement to invest in full-cycle marketing technology solutions that streamline the journey from content creation to distribution in case to involve clients at the right moment.
Bynder is a marketing and branding SaaS solution industry based in the place of Amsterdam with clients involving KLM, TomTom, Puma, Spotify and Logitech.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
UCF Nursing Professor Dies Recently Being Honored for Innovation in the Teaching
Linda Howe, Associate Professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Central Florida (UCF), recently died on the day of May 13th at the 67 years old. The university is very saddened and disappointed by the loss of an esteemed faculty member, but the dean of the College of Nursing says Howe has left behind a legacy for present and future nursing students.
Howe was honored for her innovative teaching strategies in the month of October 2015 and inducted as a fellow into the National League for Nursing’s Academy of Nursing Education. Her creative teaching involved creating The Village, a unique case-based access to teaching pharmacology to involve students and increase their understanding of the content while motivating their self-discovery. It is an affordable and convenient adaptable teaching method that is now being utilized in more than seventy schools across the US. She also frequently utilized the book “The Other End of the Stethoscope” to teach nursing values by assisting students to see things from a sufferer’s perspective to teach ethics, caring, and the significance of patient education.
In her thirty year academic career, Howe held various faculty and leadership roles during her time as a nurse. Most prominently, Howe spent twelve years at Clemson University’s School of Nursing where she retired as an associate professor emerita before transforming to her position as an undergraduate associate professor at UCF for the past 3 years. Howe gained her BSN from the institute of University of Texas before starting her clinical career in intensive and critical care, the specialty she sustained in for most of her time as a nurse. She also acquired her MSN from Texas Women’s University and her PhD from the University of South Carolina. Her special research interests involved nursing and institutional history, nursing education strategies, pharmacogenomics, and deep tissue wound prevention and healing.
Howe was honored for her innovative teaching strategies in the month of October 2015 and inducted as a fellow into the National League for Nursing’s Academy of Nursing Education. Her creative teaching involved creating The Village, a unique case-based access to teaching pharmacology to involve students and increase their understanding of the content while motivating their self-discovery. It is an affordable and convenient adaptable teaching method that is now being utilized in more than seventy schools across the US. She also frequently utilized the book “The Other End of the Stethoscope” to teach nursing values by assisting students to see things from a sufferer’s perspective to teach ethics, caring, and the significance of patient education.
In her thirty year academic career, Howe held various faculty and leadership roles during her time as a nurse. Most prominently, Howe spent twelve years at Clemson University’s School of Nursing where she retired as an associate professor emerita before transforming to her position as an undergraduate associate professor at UCF for the past 3 years. Howe gained her BSN from the institute of University of Texas before starting her clinical career in intensive and critical care, the specialty she sustained in for most of her time as a nurse. She also acquired her MSN from Texas Women’s University and her PhD from the University of South Carolina. Her special research interests involved nursing and institutional history, nursing education strategies, pharmacogenomics, and deep tissue wound prevention and healing.
AHRQ Patient-Centered Toolkit to Empower Provider Communication
AHRQ's toolkit, CANDOR, will support contributor communication and promote provider honesty with sufferers when there are issues in their care.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has made a new patient-centered toolkit assisting to support patient-provider communication following adverse hospital events.
The federal agency this week announced the release of the Communication and Optimal Resolution (CANDOR) toolkit that not only assists providers better mitigate adverse events, but helps them communicate the issue with their patient in an empathetic manner, ideally boosting patient satisfaction despite the adverse event.
AHRQ indends for contributors to use CANDOR when patients experience some sort of harm, such as an injury or hospital acquired condition, as a direct result of the care they received.
These adverse events happen more frequently than one may hope.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has made a new patient-centered toolkit assisting to support patient-provider communication following adverse hospital events.
The federal agency this week announced the release of the Communication and Optimal Resolution (CANDOR) toolkit that not only assists providers better mitigate adverse events, but helps them communicate the issue with their patient in an empathetic manner, ideally boosting patient satisfaction despite the adverse event.
AHRQ indends for contributors to use CANDOR when patients experience some sort of harm, such as an injury or hospital acquired condition, as a direct result of the care they received.
These adverse events happen more frequently than one may hope.
How Rise in Phishing Attacks Impact the Healthcare Data Security
A latest study reported that there was a 250% increase in phishing websites, which could negatively affect the healthcare data security.
Many healthcare agencies and business associates are constantly working to stop phishing attacks from compromising healthcare data security. Yet, cyberattacks were yet the top cause of healthcare data breaches in the year 2015 and recent studies have indicated that patient information may be just as vulnerable to phishing attacks in the year 2016.
A recent cross-industry study from the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) discovered that the number of unique phishing websites has increased by 250% from October 2015 to the month of March 2016. In total, researchers discovered 289,371 unique phishing websites in the first quarter of 2016.
Researchers also disclosed a rise in unique phishing reports in the first quarter of 2016. There were 130,000 more reports by March 2016 than the last quarter of 2015.
“Globally, attackers utilizing phishing techniques have become more aggressive in the year 2016 with keyloggers that have sophisticated tracking components to target specific information and agencies like retailers and financial institutions that top the list,” stated APWG Chairman Dave Jevans.
Many healthcare agencies and business associates are constantly working to stop phishing attacks from compromising healthcare data security. Yet, cyberattacks were yet the top cause of healthcare data breaches in the year 2015 and recent studies have indicated that patient information may be just as vulnerable to phishing attacks in the year 2016.
A recent cross-industry study from the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) discovered that the number of unique phishing websites has increased by 250% from October 2015 to the month of March 2016. In total, researchers discovered 289,371 unique phishing websites in the first quarter of 2016.
Researchers also disclosed a rise in unique phishing reports in the first quarter of 2016. There were 130,000 more reports by March 2016 than the last quarter of 2015.
“Globally, attackers utilizing phishing techniques have become more aggressive in the year 2016 with keyloggers that have sophisticated tracking components to target specific information and agencies like retailers and financial institutions that top the list,” stated APWG Chairman Dave Jevans.
Clinical Decision Support Reduces Sepsis Mortality in AL
As part of an electronic surveillance program, clinical decision support assisted to decrease the sepsis mortality by 53%.
A pair of clinical informaticist consultants found clinical decision support (CDS) systems to have a positive effect on identifying instances of sepsis and decreasing sepsis mortality at an Alabama hospital.
According to the research published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, the combination of a computerized surveillance algorithm and CDS tools amounted to 53 percent fewer deaths per 1000 cases (i.e., 40 deaths) as compared to the control group with 90 deaths each 1000 cases. When identifying sepsis identification more widely using IDC-9 codes, the previous figure dropped to a still significant 41% lower mortality.
"We consider that the highly accurate alerts (sensitive and specific) in the system designed for this study minimized alert fatigue, permitting optimal clinician utilization of the system, and, when combined with the timely detection of sepsis allowed by the system, resulted in the positive outcome of significantly reduced sepsis mortality in the study population," concluded Sharad Manaktala and Stephen Claypool of Wolters Kluwer Health.
A pair of clinical informaticist consultants found clinical decision support (CDS) systems to have a positive effect on identifying instances of sepsis and decreasing sepsis mortality at an Alabama hospital.
According to the research published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, the combination of a computerized surveillance algorithm and CDS tools amounted to 53 percent fewer deaths per 1000 cases (i.e., 40 deaths) as compared to the control group with 90 deaths each 1000 cases. When identifying sepsis identification more widely using IDC-9 codes, the previous figure dropped to a still significant 41% lower mortality.
"We consider that the highly accurate alerts (sensitive and specific) in the system designed for this study minimized alert fatigue, permitting optimal clinician utilization of the system, and, when combined with the timely detection of sepsis allowed by the system, resulted in the positive outcome of significantly reduced sepsis mortality in the study population," concluded Sharad Manaktala and Stephen Claypool of Wolters Kluwer Health.
Wisconsin Hospital Asks Hospital Profitability Study
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center disagrees with information from a hospital profitability study that claimed the hospital earned $302.5 million in the year of 2013.
In a hospital profitability study, researchers from Health Affairs drew the conclusion that Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center earned a profit of $302.5 million, or $4,241 per patient, in the year of 2013. Although, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center claimed that the study was flawed and that its profits were much less than $302 million.
“The researchers utilized incomplete data taken from our Medicare Cost Report, which didn’t involve Gundersen Health System full costs as an integrated system, Scott Rathgaber, Chief Executive Officer and Dara Bartels, Chief Financial Officer, said.
Profits will always seem to be larger when other expenses are not taken into consideration, Rathgaber and Bartels said. In the year of 2013, Gundersen Health System’s contribution margin was 4.4% for its obligated group, which is made up of the La Crosse Hospital, Clinic, Gundersen Lutheran Administrative Services and Gundersen Medical Foundation. Profits in the year 2013 were much less than the $302.5 million reported in Health Affairs. For the past few years, operating margins for Gundersen’s entire system has been in the 4 to 5% range.
In a hospital profitability study, researchers from Health Affairs drew the conclusion that Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center earned a profit of $302.5 million, or $4,241 per patient, in the year of 2013. Although, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center claimed that the study was flawed and that its profits were much less than $302 million.
“The researchers utilized incomplete data taken from our Medicare Cost Report, which didn’t involve Gundersen Health System full costs as an integrated system, Scott Rathgaber, Chief Executive Officer and Dara Bartels, Chief Financial Officer, said.
Profits will always seem to be larger when other expenses are not taken into consideration, Rathgaber and Bartels said. In the year of 2013, Gundersen Health System’s contribution margin was 4.4% for its obligated group, which is made up of the La Crosse Hospital, Clinic, Gundersen Lutheran Administrative Services and Gundersen Medical Foundation. Profits in the year 2013 were much less than the $302.5 million reported in Health Affairs. For the past few years, operating margins for Gundersen’s entire system has been in the 4 to 5% range.
Latest reimbursement policy may eradicate need for Stage 3
Physicians and other eligible experts under the electronic health records (EHRs) meaningful use program were tasked to make important investments in EHRs; in huge part, they did under Stage 1. Stage 2 enforced tougher steps in EHR capabilities that much of the industry wasn’t ready for, and various contributors dropped out of the program.
Now, changes to Stage 2 muddy water waters; in part, they would ease reporting needs for eligible experts but also enforce various confusing new needs in a proposed rule released in the month of April and authorized by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of the year 2015, called as MACRA.
Stage 2 EHRs already have functions essential under MACRA to support accountable care and population health management. And Stage 2 as originally enforced already is hard to successfully complete.
Now comes Stage 3, which is voluntary for eligible experts beginning in the year 2017 but mandatory for the year 2018. Although, if the overall objective of Stage 2 was to assist contributors get better at accountable care and population health management, is Stage 3 overkill or does it have actual value?
Robert Tennant, director of health information policy at the Medical Group Management Association, considers Stage 3 is a non-issue.
That is because the latest Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) authorized under MACRA incorporates a number of Stage 3 needs to measure physician performance within the modified Stage 2 rule that has been proposed. Performance measures involve electronic prescriptions, enabling sufferers to view/download/transmit their electronic healthcare information, and secure messaging.
The big uncertainty for MGMA is whether there will be enough period for EPs and their vendors to prepare for changes to Stage 2 next January and the start of Stage 3 in the month of January or in the year of 2018. Normal processes for huge rules would have the final rule coming out in the month of November or December and MGMA members fear they may only have 1 or 2 months to comply with final rule needs, which Tennant contends is an impossible task.
Stage 3 offers an indication of where future payments and quality measures will go, so use it to be ready, he counsels. “Look 3 years in advance now to see where you’ll be.”
Now, changes to Stage 2 muddy water waters; in part, they would ease reporting needs for eligible experts but also enforce various confusing new needs in a proposed rule released in the month of April and authorized by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of the year 2015, called as MACRA.
Stage 2 EHRs already have functions essential under MACRA to support accountable care and population health management. And Stage 2 as originally enforced already is hard to successfully complete.
Now comes Stage 3, which is voluntary for eligible experts beginning in the year 2017 but mandatory for the year 2018. Although, if the overall objective of Stage 2 was to assist contributors get better at accountable care and population health management, is Stage 3 overkill or does it have actual value?
Robert Tennant, director of health information policy at the Medical Group Management Association, considers Stage 3 is a non-issue.
That is because the latest Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) authorized under MACRA incorporates a number of Stage 3 needs to measure physician performance within the modified Stage 2 rule that has been proposed. Performance measures involve electronic prescriptions, enabling sufferers to view/download/transmit their electronic healthcare information, and secure messaging.
The big uncertainty for MGMA is whether there will be enough period for EPs and their vendors to prepare for changes to Stage 2 next January and the start of Stage 3 in the month of January or in the year of 2018. Normal processes for huge rules would have the final rule coming out in the month of November or December and MGMA members fear they may only have 1 or 2 months to comply with final rule needs, which Tennant contends is an impossible task.
Stage 3 offers an indication of where future payments and quality measures will go, so use it to be ready, he counsels. “Look 3 years in advance now to see where you’ll be.”
Monday, May 23, 2016
API task force suggestions acquire narrow approval
By a vote of 13-10, the Health IT Policy and Standards committees has approved final suggestions from a task force on application programming interfaces (APIs), but only after an amendment was involved to satisfy dissenting opinions among members.
Meaningful Use Stage 3 needs certified electronic health records to provide an API through which patient information can be viewed, downloaded and transmitted to a third party. APIs, which permit a software program to access the services offere by another software program, are seen as the enabling technology for patients to gain access to their healthcare information that may be held in multiple provider EHR systems.
The API task force presented its final recommendations during a joint May 17 HIT Policy-Standards Committee meeting that generated a spirited debate, primarily around the development of private sector endorsement or certification of API-enabled apps. At issue was the task force’s recommendation that the Office of the National Coordinator for HIT not need centralized certification or testing of the plethora of health apps expected to be generated as a result of widespread adoption of open APIs in healthcare.
Meaningful Use Stage 3 needs certified electronic health records to provide an API through which patient information can be viewed, downloaded and transmitted to a third party. APIs, which permit a software program to access the services offere by another software program, are seen as the enabling technology for patients to gain access to their healthcare information that may be held in multiple provider EHR systems.
The API task force presented its final recommendations during a joint May 17 HIT Policy-Standards Committee meeting that generated a spirited debate, primarily around the development of private sector endorsement or certification of API-enabled apps. At issue was the task force’s recommendation that the Office of the National Coordinator for HIT not need centralized certification or testing of the plethora of health apps expected to be generated as a result of widespread adoption of open APIs in healthcare.
Mercy’s Telemedicine Network is Developing
The St. Louis-based virtual care center adds another spoke in Pennsylvania, partnering with Penn State Health, and hopes to add more.
Mercy Virtual’s telemedicine hub has gained another spoke.
The high-tech “hospital without beds” in St. Louis announced a partnership with Penn State Health’sMilton S. Hershey Medical Center during last week’s American Telemedicine Association conference. The agreement enables Mercy to assist in the monitoring and care of the 551-bed hospital’s ICU patients – and instantly will extend Mercy’s virtual network through the Penn State Health system.
Mercy opened its $54 million, four-story virtual care center previous fall, and this February signed a pact to handle eICU services for the University of North Carolina Health Care system. Mercy officials vowed the UNCHC partnership was just the first of many.
Mercy Virtual’s telemedicine hub has gained another spoke.
The high-tech “hospital without beds” in St. Louis announced a partnership with Penn State Health’sMilton S. Hershey Medical Center during last week’s American Telemedicine Association conference. The agreement enables Mercy to assist in the monitoring and care of the 551-bed hospital’s ICU patients – and instantly will extend Mercy’s virtual network through the Penn State Health system.
Mercy opened its $54 million, four-story virtual care center previous fall, and this February signed a pact to handle eICU services for the University of North Carolina Health Care system. Mercy officials vowed the UNCHC partnership was just the first of many.
Malware Tragedy in MI Makes Potential PHI Data Breach
A recent potential PHI data breach appeared after malware infected a server, while another possible healthcare data violation was caused by a hacking incident.
Michigan-based Complete Chiropractic and Bodywork Therapies has notified sufferer of a possible PHI data breach after a server was accessed by an unauthorized entity.
In accordance to the OCR’s data breach portal, approximately 4,082 individuals were affected by the healthcare data security event.
Complete Chiropractic and Bodywork Therapies reported that an outside party had acquired access to a server containing PHI starting on the day of November 19, 2015. The practice did not discover the intrusion until after the server malfunctioned on March 19, 2016.
The security event likely occurred after malware infected the practice’s systems, stated the notice on its website. With the help of IT forensic experts, the practice determined that the malware probably scanned its systems to gain login and password data.
The server held patient data, involving treatment, billing and EHR data.
Michigan-based Complete Chiropractic and Bodywork Therapies has notified sufferer of a possible PHI data breach after a server was accessed by an unauthorized entity.
In accordance to the OCR’s data breach portal, approximately 4,082 individuals were affected by the healthcare data security event.
Complete Chiropractic and Bodywork Therapies reported that an outside party had acquired access to a server containing PHI starting on the day of November 19, 2015. The practice did not discover the intrusion until after the server malfunctioned on March 19, 2016.
The security event likely occurred after malware infected the practice’s systems, stated the notice on its website. With the help of IT forensic experts, the practice determined that the malware probably scanned its systems to gain login and password data.
The server held patient data, involving treatment, billing and EHR data.
DCSO finds reimbursement for occupation prices
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office needs to have the money it spent while reacting to the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County compensated by the government.
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office’s expenditures total $169,505.06, in accordance to records given to The Bulletin by the county’s legal counsel previous week in response to an April 28 records appeal. The bulk of those expenditures are personnel prices.
Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies spent 1,790 hours of overtime responding to the forty-one day occupation, in accordance to county records.
The group of persons who occupied the refuge was previously protesting the imprisonment of Harney County rancher Dwight Hammond and his son, and Steven Hammond, in a federal arson case; the occupation came to depict the tension and anxiety between federal land managers and independent ranchers and landowners throughout the West.
The sheriff’s office was believed to be one of the lead agencies inquiring the fatal shooting in the month of January of refuge occupier LaVoy Finicum by Oregon State Police.
It spent merely over $2,000 towing Finicum’s vehicle to the Oregon State Police yard in Bend, and other expenses involved lodging and meals for deputies.
A reimbursement appeal was made to the state in the month of mid-April for a good chunk of the total prices: $116,381.77.
Deschutes County sheriff’s Legal Counsel Darryl Nakahira wrote in an email Friday that the assumptions made earlier this spring were preliminary, therefore the disparity between the total prices and those reported to the state earlier.
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office’s expenditures total $169,505.06, in accordance to records given to The Bulletin by the county’s legal counsel previous week in response to an April 28 records appeal. The bulk of those expenditures are personnel prices.
Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies spent 1,790 hours of overtime responding to the forty-one day occupation, in accordance to county records.
The group of persons who occupied the refuge was previously protesting the imprisonment of Harney County rancher Dwight Hammond and his son, and Steven Hammond, in a federal arson case; the occupation came to depict the tension and anxiety between federal land managers and independent ranchers and landowners throughout the West.
The sheriff’s office was believed to be one of the lead agencies inquiring the fatal shooting in the month of January of refuge occupier LaVoy Finicum by Oregon State Police.
It spent merely over $2,000 towing Finicum’s vehicle to the Oregon State Police yard in Bend, and other expenses involved lodging and meals for deputies.
A reimbursement appeal was made to the state in the month of mid-April for a good chunk of the total prices: $116,381.77.
Deschutes County sheriff’s Legal Counsel Darryl Nakahira wrote in an email Friday that the assumptions made earlier this spring were preliminary, therefore the disparity between the total prices and those reported to the state earlier.
Mixed Outcomes for MSSP ACO Savings
High-cost ACOs in Medicare’s Shared Savings Program had an easier time earning shared savings than low-cost ones.
In accordance to a report from Leavitt Partners, 42% of accountable care organizations (ACO) residing in high-cost markets in the Medicare’s Shared Savings Program (MSSP) earned shared savings, while only 18% of agencies residing in low-cost markets earned shared savings. ACOs in the highest cost segment earned an average of $2.1 million, while ACOs from the lowest cost quintile earned $357,000. 26 percent of ACOs earned shared savings, the report stated. Although, these savings were very concentrated among a small amount of ACOs.
“The top 10 ACOs’ earned shared savings accounted for 30% of all 333 ACOs’ earned shared savings,” Leavitt Partners claimed. “While some ACOs are performing meaningfully well, most are not.”
Researchers pointed out that ACOs that covered more individuals typically didn’t earn more shared savings. However, they were capable to earn higher average quality scores.
The top 10 earning ACOs typically had higher quality scores. However, higher quality scores did not necessarily equate to shared savings, the researchers said. About 40% of ACOs in the most expensive markets “still failed to earn shared savings,” the report said.
In accordance to a report from Leavitt Partners, 42% of accountable care organizations (ACO) residing in high-cost markets in the Medicare’s Shared Savings Program (MSSP) earned shared savings, while only 18% of agencies residing in low-cost markets earned shared savings. ACOs in the highest cost segment earned an average of $2.1 million, while ACOs from the lowest cost quintile earned $357,000. 26 percent of ACOs earned shared savings, the report stated. Although, these savings were very concentrated among a small amount of ACOs.
“The top 10 ACOs’ earned shared savings accounted for 30% of all 333 ACOs’ earned shared savings,” Leavitt Partners claimed. “While some ACOs are performing meaningfully well, most are not.”
Researchers pointed out that ACOs that covered more individuals typically didn’t earn more shared savings. However, they were capable to earn higher average quality scores.
The top 10 earning ACOs typically had higher quality scores. However, higher quality scores did not necessarily equate to shared savings, the researchers said. About 40% of ACOs in the most expensive markets “still failed to earn shared savings,” the report said.
Risky information practices jeopardize contributors’ security
With contributors attention concentrated on ransomware attacks and the havoc they can cause, other risky security practices are placing healthcare agencies at risk for violations, healthcare security experts claim.
While ransomware tragedies are high profile and acquire national attention in the business and famous press, healthcare data security officers require paying attention to various attacks that have lower profiles but carry merely as much risk to sufferer data, they say.
For instance, Kate Borten, president of the Marblehead Group consultancy, is worried about the massive amounts of information being shared with lax security practices by healthcare agencies. Hospitals sustain to acquire medical practices, along with their information, and share the data through a health information exchange.
“The wide open information sharing is a recipe for disaster,” she contends, because there is a greater potential for misuse of the information. Authorized clients can take benefit of their access to all this data and go snooping, while most provider agencies do not have technology to curb snooping.
Collecting relevant information on patients is typically beneficial, Borten considers. But at the similar time, there is threat of the loss of privacy with individuals possibly never being aware that their information has been inaccurately exposed.
Because so much information—not just from contributors, but also from insurers and employers—is made more easily present, an individual could incur an increase in insurance premiums or get refused disability benefits and never know why. Such examples could impact an individual’s job prospects because insurance premiums could be a major factor in employment decisions and choices.
Health-related information in mobile apps and email systems represent another risk to privacy, in accordance to Borten. “I do not have anything I do not mind persons seeing, but there are business judgments being made on the information,” she contends.
Tom Walsh, president of tw-Security, asserts that information integrity is another undervalued security concern.
For instance, verified information would go a long way toward preventing medical errors, he contends. Although, the problem of integrity is only in 2 places in the HIPAA security rule.
In one of those mentions, the National Institute of Standards and Technology wrote processes for testing data integrity merely when the information is transmitted. Although, there is nothing in the rule about whether the data is precise and reliable.
Walsh points out that Sully Sullenberger, the airline pilot that protectively landed his crippled plane on the Hudson River, introduced a new mission afterward to decrease medical errors. Estimates of errors killing 200,000 sufferers a year, Sullenberger contends, equates to twenty airliners crashing each week, which would not be acceptable in that industry, but is tolerated in healthcare. “We require forcing vendors to make in software controls to stop errors,” Walsh claims.
“Devices have inherent data security vulnerabilities, and agencies aren’t equipped to reconcile and resolve them,” he claims.
The issue persists due to a lack of leadership by the Food and Drug Administration and device manufacturers, he adds. Only recently did FDA release draft guidance for voluntary monitoring of risks and vulnerabilities already in the market. And, it is not clear if a forthcoming rule will need manufacturers and vendors to establish surveillance programs. For now, Holtzman claims, there is no indication of that.
While ransomware tragedies are high profile and acquire national attention in the business and famous press, healthcare data security officers require paying attention to various attacks that have lower profiles but carry merely as much risk to sufferer data, they say.
For instance, Kate Borten, president of the Marblehead Group consultancy, is worried about the massive amounts of information being shared with lax security practices by healthcare agencies. Hospitals sustain to acquire medical practices, along with their information, and share the data through a health information exchange.
“The wide open information sharing is a recipe for disaster,” she contends, because there is a greater potential for misuse of the information. Authorized clients can take benefit of their access to all this data and go snooping, while most provider agencies do not have technology to curb snooping.
Collecting relevant information on patients is typically beneficial, Borten considers. But at the similar time, there is threat of the loss of privacy with individuals possibly never being aware that their information has been inaccurately exposed.
Because so much information—not just from contributors, but also from insurers and employers—is made more easily present, an individual could incur an increase in insurance premiums or get refused disability benefits and never know why. Such examples could impact an individual’s job prospects because insurance premiums could be a major factor in employment decisions and choices.
Health-related information in mobile apps and email systems represent another risk to privacy, in accordance to Borten. “I do not have anything I do not mind persons seeing, but there are business judgments being made on the information,” she contends.
Tom Walsh, president of tw-Security, asserts that information integrity is another undervalued security concern.
For instance, verified information would go a long way toward preventing medical errors, he contends. Although, the problem of integrity is only in 2 places in the HIPAA security rule.
In one of those mentions, the National Institute of Standards and Technology wrote processes for testing data integrity merely when the information is transmitted. Although, there is nothing in the rule about whether the data is precise and reliable.
Walsh points out that Sully Sullenberger, the airline pilot that protectively landed his crippled plane on the Hudson River, introduced a new mission afterward to decrease medical errors. Estimates of errors killing 200,000 sufferers a year, Sullenberger contends, equates to twenty airliners crashing each week, which would not be acceptable in that industry, but is tolerated in healthcare. “We require forcing vendors to make in software controls to stop errors,” Walsh claims.
“Devices have inherent data security vulnerabilities, and agencies aren’t equipped to reconcile and resolve them,” he claims.
The issue persists due to a lack of leadership by the Food and Drug Administration and device manufacturers, he adds. Only recently did FDA release draft guidance for voluntary monitoring of risks and vulnerabilities already in the market. And, it is not clear if a forthcoming rule will need manufacturers and vendors to establish surveillance programs. For now, Holtzman claims, there is no indication of that.
Friday, May 20, 2016
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Analyzes the Increasing Prices of Specialty Pharmacy
A latest research by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) and HealthCore Inc. indicates that per member specialty pharmacy spending increased 26% from the period of 2013 to 2014.
The report, "The Growth in Specialty Drug Spending from 2013 to 2014," depicts a comprehensive, in-depth research of prices for both medical and pharmacy claims. Almost half of specialty drug spending is funded by each profit. Analyzing medical benefit data permits for a thorough analysis of changes in the price of medication administered at hospitals and other clinical atmospheres. For instance, more than 80% of cancer medication prices are billed through the medical benefit. Comparing specialty pharmacy spending in the year 2013 and 2014, this study discovered that:
The report, "The Growth in Specialty Drug Spending from 2013 to 2014," depicts a comprehensive, in-depth research of prices for both medical and pharmacy claims. Almost half of specialty drug spending is funded by each profit. Analyzing medical benefit data permits for a thorough analysis of changes in the price of medication administered at hospitals and other clinical atmospheres. For instance, more than 80% of cancer medication prices are billed through the medical benefit. Comparing specialty pharmacy spending in the year 2013 and 2014, this study discovered that:
- There was an $87 yearly annual per member increase in specialty pharmacy spending from the period of 2013 to 2014.
- The increasing prices of specialty drug treatments were the primary driver of the growth in spending. Treatment prices involve the price and selection of drugs. Increased utilization had a smaller impact on the progress in spending.
- In the year 2014, yearly specialty drug spending was 17% higher per member in the individual market in contrast to the employer market. While price of treatment was similar between employer-based and individual members, there were differences in utilization amounts by condition. Utilization was importantly higher for individual members for cancer, human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis, but moderately lower for inflammatory conditions (like rheumatoid arthritis) or multiple sclerosis.
Do Contributors Apply Population Health Management Inconsistently?
A deficiency of industry-wide guidelines for population health management may be launching inconsistencies into the process of selecting patients for care management.
There is important variation in the way individual practices select high-risk patients for participation in care management and population health management programs, in accordance to a new study published in the American Journal of Managed Care, although most providers do tend to target the older, sicker, and more socioeconomically complex members of their attributed patient pools.
The study reviewed more than 2600 Medicare beneficiaries receiving care within 35 practices of Partners HealthCare, a large Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) in the Boston area.
The researchers hypothesized that even though the practitioners within the ACO are incentivized to give comprehensive population health management and chronic disease care services to meet quality objectives and make better the outcomes, there may be significant variation in the way patients are identified and chosen to enroll in care management services.
There is important variation in the way individual practices select high-risk patients for participation in care management and population health management programs, in accordance to a new study published in the American Journal of Managed Care, although most providers do tend to target the older, sicker, and more socioeconomically complex members of their attributed patient pools.
The study reviewed more than 2600 Medicare beneficiaries receiving care within 35 practices of Partners HealthCare, a large Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) in the Boston area.
The researchers hypothesized that even though the practitioners within the ACO are incentivized to give comprehensive population health management and chronic disease care services to meet quality objectives and make better the outcomes, there may be significant variation in the way patients are identified and chosen to enroll in care management services.
How DDoS Attack Increase Might Impact the Healthcare Cybersecurity
With a 40% increase in DDoS attacks in the last quarter of 2015, providers should understand how DDoS and web application attacks impact the healthcare cybersecurity.
More agencies experienced multiple distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks in the 4th quarter of 2015, which could spell out trouble for healthcare cybersecurity measures, especially for cloud-based services.
According to Akamai’s quarterly State of the Internet: Security report, DDoS attacks are up by almost 40% across all industries since third quarter of 2015. The total number of DDoS attacks in the 4thquarter of 2015 also represents a 148.85% increase in total DDoS attacks since last year.
During a DDoS attack, an outside party attempts to flood an organization’s systems utilizing a myriad of connections to overwhelm the system. Since the hackers can use programs or bots to generate numerous attacks, organizations cannot block just one IP address from shutting down a specific process.
In terms of healthcare, DDoS attackers can shut down EHR and email systems, which could prevent providers from accessing or communicating critical patient information. There is also an important risk that hackers can inappropriately access PHI through a DDoS incident.
More agencies experienced multiple distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks in the 4th quarter of 2015, which could spell out trouble for healthcare cybersecurity measures, especially for cloud-based services.
According to Akamai’s quarterly State of the Internet: Security report, DDoS attacks are up by almost 40% across all industries since third quarter of 2015. The total number of DDoS attacks in the 4thquarter of 2015 also represents a 148.85% increase in total DDoS attacks since last year.
During a DDoS attack, an outside party attempts to flood an organization’s systems utilizing a myriad of connections to overwhelm the system. Since the hackers can use programs or bots to generate numerous attacks, organizations cannot block just one IP address from shutting down a specific process.
In terms of healthcare, DDoS attackers can shut down EHR and email systems, which could prevent providers from accessing or communicating critical patient information. There is also an important risk that hackers can inappropriately access PHI through a DDoS incident.
EHR Optimization a Highlight of Upcoming ICD-10 Upgrades
A new guide aims to prepare healthcare practices for the next phase of ICD-10 implementation, which involves latest codes and regulations on unspecified codes that will need the certain EHR optimization efforts.
Many healthcare contributors, whether reluctantly or not, have already implemented ICD-10 coding procedures and sustained to offer care with the system in place. However, like many aspects of the industry, providers will require to prepare for upcoming updates and changes to ICD-10 on the day of October 1, 2016.
To help healthcare stakeholders, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) has released a guide on how to manage ICD-10 post payment reviews and unspecified codes. Per the guidance, healthcare practices should also evaluate their EHR systems to make sure that coding errors have been reported. Many EHR systems are designed to recommend the correct ICD-10 codes, but some stakeholders have noticed that these systems are not perfect.
“While the correct level of ICD-10 code specificity has always been required for National Coverage Determinations, Local Coverage Determinations, other claims edits, prepayment reviews, and prior authorization requests, physicians were granted amnesty from post payment reviews because of unspecified codes,” wrote Christina Lee, MHS, RHIA, CCS, CPC, in the AHIMA newsletter.
Many healthcare contributors, whether reluctantly or not, have already implemented ICD-10 coding procedures and sustained to offer care with the system in place. However, like many aspects of the industry, providers will require to prepare for upcoming updates and changes to ICD-10 on the day of October 1, 2016.
To help healthcare stakeholders, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) has released a guide on how to manage ICD-10 post payment reviews and unspecified codes. Per the guidance, healthcare practices should also evaluate their EHR systems to make sure that coding errors have been reported. Many EHR systems are designed to recommend the correct ICD-10 codes, but some stakeholders have noticed that these systems are not perfect.
“While the correct level of ICD-10 code specificity has always been required for National Coverage Determinations, Local Coverage Determinations, other claims edits, prepayment reviews, and prior authorization requests, physicians were granted amnesty from post payment reviews because of unspecified codes,” wrote Christina Lee, MHS, RHIA, CCS, CPC, in the AHIMA newsletter.
Patient Billing Gives Challenge to Revenue Cycle Management
Organizations can make better the revenue cycle management by making patient billing processes more automated by utilizing modern payment systems.
Patient payment and billing are significant revenue cycle management challenges that should not be neglected. According to a recent survey conducted by Navicure, 63% of participants recognized that patient payment processes were “a high priority" for the healthcare revenue cycle.
“It is significant to reexamine existing workflows and processes to adopt a more effective, automated patient payments process,” the survey stated.
Patient accountability was also major concern for participants, who reported having hard time collecting payment from patients. About one-third of survey respondents (31 percent) said they struggle with patients’ inability to pay for medical bills. Additionally, 26% of participants experienced difficulties educating patients about their financial responsibility. A quarter of participants said slow-paying patients remain a significant challenge.
Patient payment and billing are significant revenue cycle management challenges that should not be neglected. According to a recent survey conducted by Navicure, 63% of participants recognized that patient payment processes were “a high priority" for the healthcare revenue cycle.
“It is significant to reexamine existing workflows and processes to adopt a more effective, automated patient payments process,” the survey stated.
Patient accountability was also major concern for participants, who reported having hard time collecting payment from patients. About one-third of survey respondents (31 percent) said they struggle with patients’ inability to pay for medical bills. Additionally, 26% of participants experienced difficulties educating patients about their financial responsibility. A quarter of participants said slow-paying patients remain a significant challenge.
HIT Consider Ransomware a huge uncertainty for small targets
As evidenced daily in the news, today’s hackers are running a very victorious extortion racket utilizing the ransomware, and it is become a primary danger to healthcare agencies, large and small.
News reports tend to concentrate on the “big fish” that get snagged in the net of ransomware net, but smaller hospitals are aims for ransomware as well. Disruption to the continuity of facilities can be detrimental, no matter what the size of the agency is. The query is how big of an aim is your small hospital.
Small hospitals have various issues that are similar to those of their greater counterparts, but the infrastructure of a smaller hospital can pose extra issues. One of the most important barriers to an effective ransomware defense can be a deficiency of resources. More particularly, it is difficult for services in rural areas to recruit and retain required talent.
Moreover, it is also difficult for small services to have enough resources to make and manage a solid security program. In few little facilities, the security officer, the CIO and the COO are all the similar person—that increases the potential threat of security susceptibility, merely based on the fact that one person with diverse responsibilities lacks the time to cover all his or her several priorities. Business continuity is a high priority, but it might not get the attention it needs in a small agency.
There are ways for a small agency to decrease its vulnerability to IT security threats, like ransomware, without extra resources. Reducing threat without increasing costs can be accomplished by efficiently and effectively using present resources to strengthen the agency’s security defenses.
An agency’s powerful line of defense is the employee. Small hospitals need synergy for success in security prevention, because the whole is larger than the sum of its parts. As the old adage goes, an agency is merely as powerful as its weakest link; hence, addressing workers’ knowledge of significant security practices will strengthen the agency as a whole.
One action that can impact the whole agency is implementing a security awareness program against the ransomware, concentrating on education and communication, with the intent of stopping system users from performing dangerous actions, specifically clicking on risky web links contained in emails. Building a powerful security awareness program, can result in decreased risk of breach of confidential data, loss of continuity, as well as establish a more competently aware, and empowered worker.
This isn’t a short-term, one-time solution, and any such initiative should be tailored to the culture of the agency, keeping in mind the average rate of worker retention. A security awareness program not merely makes the worker aware, but empowers the worker, acting in a manner of teaching, advocating and influencing upon others the significance of security.
Empowered staff is more passionately engaged, and they mostly can find value in training that applies to how they conduct, and secure, their personal lives. Workers truly are the stakeholders promoting buy-in, ownership and accountability.
It is sometimes the small attempts that greatly decrease the risks to business continuity. One small attempt with the greatest gain is implementing an education and awareness program that involves the following components.
News reports tend to concentrate on the “big fish” that get snagged in the net of ransomware net, but smaller hospitals are aims for ransomware as well. Disruption to the continuity of facilities can be detrimental, no matter what the size of the agency is. The query is how big of an aim is your small hospital.
Small hospitals have various issues that are similar to those of their greater counterparts, but the infrastructure of a smaller hospital can pose extra issues. One of the most important barriers to an effective ransomware defense can be a deficiency of resources. More particularly, it is difficult for services in rural areas to recruit and retain required talent.
Moreover, it is also difficult for small services to have enough resources to make and manage a solid security program. In few little facilities, the security officer, the CIO and the COO are all the similar person—that increases the potential threat of security susceptibility, merely based on the fact that one person with diverse responsibilities lacks the time to cover all his or her several priorities. Business continuity is a high priority, but it might not get the attention it needs in a small agency.
There are ways for a small agency to decrease its vulnerability to IT security threats, like ransomware, without extra resources. Reducing threat without increasing costs can be accomplished by efficiently and effectively using present resources to strengthen the agency’s security defenses.
An agency’s powerful line of defense is the employee. Small hospitals need synergy for success in security prevention, because the whole is larger than the sum of its parts. As the old adage goes, an agency is merely as powerful as its weakest link; hence, addressing workers’ knowledge of significant security practices will strengthen the agency as a whole.
One action that can impact the whole agency is implementing a security awareness program against the ransomware, concentrating on education and communication, with the intent of stopping system users from performing dangerous actions, specifically clicking on risky web links contained in emails. Building a powerful security awareness program, can result in decreased risk of breach of confidential data, loss of continuity, as well as establish a more competently aware, and empowered worker.
This isn’t a short-term, one-time solution, and any such initiative should be tailored to the culture of the agency, keeping in mind the average rate of worker retention. A security awareness program not merely makes the worker aware, but empowers the worker, acting in a manner of teaching, advocating and influencing upon others the significance of security.
Empowered staff is more passionately engaged, and they mostly can find value in training that applies to how they conduct, and secure, their personal lives. Workers truly are the stakeholders promoting buy-in, ownership and accountability.
It is sometimes the small attempts that greatly decrease the risks to business continuity. One small attempt with the greatest gain is implementing an education and awareness program that involves the following components.
- Testing staff for recognizing and not falling prey to baseline risky actions.
- Recording baseline performance and setting improvement objectives.
- Executing a training response program that is tailored to the reactions of staff.
- Branding security continually through a program that involves staff through a monthly informative news article anonymously written by workers who have performed risky actions, thus promoting accountability and self-research/learning; transparently reporting quarterly to all staff on present metrics in relation to agencies goals; and consistent interaction through email, text and social media.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Baylor doctors admitting Aetna policies at Children’s Hospital of San Antonio
Baylor College of Medicine physicians treating sufferers at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio have begun agreeing to the Aetna health insurance policies.
As an outcome, kids with Aetna coverage have in-network approach to more than 150 health care contributors at the pediatric hospital. Baylor physicians are agreeing to the Aetna’s commercial policies, Aetna behavioral health coverage, Aetna Better Health of Texas policies and Aetna Medicare coverage.
Aetna is a latest addition to the list of health plans agreed by Baylor physicians. They also agree to the other major insurance policies, like Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas.
As an outcome, kids with Aetna coverage have in-network approach to more than 150 health care contributors at the pediatric hospital. Baylor physicians are agreeing to the Aetna’s commercial policies, Aetna behavioral health coverage, Aetna Better Health of Texas policies and Aetna Medicare coverage.
Aetna is a latest addition to the list of health plans agreed by Baylor physicians. They also agree to the other major insurance policies, like Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas.
Is Telehealth Prepared for the Amazon Approach?
American Well's new Exchange, disclosed this week at the ATA conference in Minneapolis, provides an online marketplace for providers and clients.
Can a telehealth network be run like Amazon?
American Well is ready to put that theory to the test, with the declaration at this week’s American Telemedicine Association conference that it is opening up an online telehealth marketplace. Called "The Exchange,” the enterprise platform will give payers and contributors the opportunity to design and market their services to the general public.
“We are connecting everybody,” company co-founder and CEO Roy Schoenberg said during a packed breakfast presentation, during which he compared the new service to the rise of Amazon in 2005 and its forced reshaping of the bookselling industry.
Can a telehealth network be run like Amazon?
American Well is ready to put that theory to the test, with the declaration at this week’s American Telemedicine Association conference that it is opening up an online telehealth marketplace. Called "The Exchange,” the enterprise platform will give payers and contributors the opportunity to design and market their services to the general public.
“We are connecting everybody,” company co-founder and CEO Roy Schoenberg said during a packed breakfast presentation, during which he compared the new service to the rise of Amazon in 2005 and its forced reshaping of the bookselling industry.
Hackers Approach EHR Data in Potential Healthcare Data Violation
While a possible healthcare data violation was caused by hackers in Texas, other recent cases included stolen laptops that contained PHI.
A medical group in Texas is confronting a potential healthcare data breach that may have exposed patient and employee data after a hacking incident.
Almost 50,000 individuals were impacted by the healthcare data security event at the Medical Colleagues of Texas, LLP, reported the Houston Chronicle on its website.
In a notice on its website, the Medical Colleagues of Texas, LLP stated that it discovered an outside entity had accessed its computer network, which stored EHR and personnel data. The healthcare system introduced an internal investigation and hired an independent forensic expert to examine and secure the network.
Medical Colleagues of Texas, LLP found that worker and patient data, like names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and health insurance information, may have been accessed by an unauthorized party.
A medical group in Texas is confronting a potential healthcare data breach that may have exposed patient and employee data after a hacking incident.
Almost 50,000 individuals were impacted by the healthcare data security event at the Medical Colleagues of Texas, LLP, reported the Houston Chronicle on its website.
In a notice on its website, the Medical Colleagues of Texas, LLP stated that it discovered an outside entity had accessed its computer network, which stored EHR and personnel data. The healthcare system introduced an internal investigation and hired an independent forensic expert to examine and secure the network.
Medical Colleagues of Texas, LLP found that worker and patient data, like names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and health insurance information, may have been accessed by an unauthorized party.
How EHR Cloud-based Solutions Reinforce Contributor Independence
Vineyard Primary Care of Kentucky recognized EHR cloud-based solutions as integral to meaningful physician EHR use.
A prevailing opinion in healthcare holds that myriad and increasing regulatory mandates make the activity of operating an independent physician practice overly fraught with issues and likely not worth the risk.
Jeremy Luckett, MD, of Vineyard Primary Care in Owensboro, Kentucky, clearly doesn’t share that opinion having set out on his own in 2015 after having worked as part of group practice. In accordance to Luckett, the independence that comes with having his own practice, which currently comprises himself and a nurse practitioner, cannot be matched by another setting.
That being stated, plenty of issues face Luckett and his practice as it looks to extend both its sufferer population and number of physicians. One such issue was EHR adoption to make better the access to patient information, which ultimately led Luckett to choose EHR cloud-based solution AdvancedEHR.
A prevailing opinion in healthcare holds that myriad and increasing regulatory mandates make the activity of operating an independent physician practice overly fraught with issues and likely not worth the risk.
Jeremy Luckett, MD, of Vineyard Primary Care in Owensboro, Kentucky, clearly doesn’t share that opinion having set out on his own in 2015 after having worked as part of group practice. In accordance to Luckett, the independence that comes with having his own practice, which currently comprises himself and a nurse practitioner, cannot be matched by another setting.
That being stated, plenty of issues face Luckett and his practice as it looks to extend both its sufferer population and number of physicians. One such issue was EHR adoption to make better the access to patient information, which ultimately led Luckett to choose EHR cloud-based solution AdvancedEHR.
Contributors Prioritize Quality Care, Not Lower Healthcare Prices
A recent study discovered that one third of healthcare contributors think it is unfair to hope physicians to give quality care while simultaneously decreasing the healthcare costs.
By now, many healthcare contributors are partaking in some type of value-based care, which targets to foster quality care while reducing healthcare costs. To achieve this, value-based care relies on care coordination to decrease unessential treatments and hospital admissions.
However, many healthcare agencies are wondering who should be responsible for managing financial stewardships that discourage overuse of services and boost value-based care.
A recent study in the American Journal of Managed Care found that a little over one third of healthcare contributors at a major ambulatory care provider in Massachusetts reported that it was unfair to hope physicians to be cost-conscious and focus on patient welfare.
By now, many healthcare contributors are partaking in some type of value-based care, which targets to foster quality care while reducing healthcare costs. To achieve this, value-based care relies on care coordination to decrease unessential treatments and hospital admissions.
However, many healthcare agencies are wondering who should be responsible for managing financial stewardships that discourage overuse of services and boost value-based care.
A recent study in the American Journal of Managed Care found that a little over one third of healthcare contributors at a major ambulatory care provider in Massachusetts reported that it was unfair to hope physicians to be cost-conscious and focus on patient welfare.
FDA proposes instructions on utilizing EHR data in clinical trials
New draft instructions from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)) cover deciding whether and how to utilize EHRs as an information source in the clinical trials.
While the new instruction offers general guidance on EHR abilities, the new draft doesn’t involve provisions under which the FDA would assess agreement of records systems.
The agency’s draft covers utilizing EHRs that interoperate with electronic networks supporting trials, and explains ensuring the quality and integrity of information accumulated and used. FDA will agree to the comment on draft recommendations for sixty days before establishing final guidance.
The FDA’s lead in this place is significant because facilitating the correlation between EHRs and clinical trials would offer important benefits in speeding and cutting the prices of clinical trials, as well as streamlining the procedure of finding sufferers for research.
FDA initially released the separate guidance on electronic source information in clinical investigations, which appreciated that data can come from several sources and be entered into the trial sponsor’s Case Report Form (CRF), which is a paper or electronic questionnaire. This could involve information from EHRs—this latest proposed instruction concentrates on such data.
The agency doesn’t intend to actively assess agreement of EHRs used in trials with its rules. “Although, FDA’s acceptance of data from clinical investigations for decision-making purposes relies on FDA’s capability to verify the quality and integrity of data during FDA on-site inspections and audits,” in accordance to the guidance. Consequently, the agency is clarifying few hopes when EHRs are utilized as a source of data.
For example, FDA points out that interoperability of EHRs and a trial sponsor’s electronic data capture system (EDC) can simplify information collection by getting correct source data when a patient gets care. Such interoperability also can decrease the transcription errors and ease interpretation of data.
“FDA motivates the sponsors and clinical investigators to work with the entities that control the EHRs, like healthcare agencies, to use EHRs and EDC systems that are interoperable,” the draft guidance claims.
Another best practice for utilizing the EHR data in clinical trials is making sure the data is attributable, legible, contemporaneous, original and accurate. Further, FDA suggests utilization of ONC-certified EHRs and other health IT due to clear differences in interoperability and keeping data confidential.
Non-certified EHRs may be utilized, but should be assessed to determine if adequate controls are in place to make certain the data confidentiality, integrity and reliability. The assessment should involve limited access to electronic networks; identification of authors of records; audit trails to track changes to information; and availability and retention of records required for FDA inspection.
Moreover, trial sponsors should outline data flow between the EHR and the electronic data capture system, in accordance to FDA.
Other highlights of the instructions involve:
While the new instruction offers general guidance on EHR abilities, the new draft doesn’t involve provisions under which the FDA would assess agreement of records systems.
The agency’s draft covers utilizing EHRs that interoperate with electronic networks supporting trials, and explains ensuring the quality and integrity of information accumulated and used. FDA will agree to the comment on draft recommendations for sixty days before establishing final guidance.
The FDA’s lead in this place is significant because facilitating the correlation between EHRs and clinical trials would offer important benefits in speeding and cutting the prices of clinical trials, as well as streamlining the procedure of finding sufferers for research.
FDA initially released the separate guidance on electronic source information in clinical investigations, which appreciated that data can come from several sources and be entered into the trial sponsor’s Case Report Form (CRF), which is a paper or electronic questionnaire. This could involve information from EHRs—this latest proposed instruction concentrates on such data.
The agency doesn’t intend to actively assess agreement of EHRs used in trials with its rules. “Although, FDA’s acceptance of data from clinical investigations for decision-making purposes relies on FDA’s capability to verify the quality and integrity of data during FDA on-site inspections and audits,” in accordance to the guidance. Consequently, the agency is clarifying few hopes when EHRs are utilized as a source of data.
For example, FDA points out that interoperability of EHRs and a trial sponsor’s electronic data capture system (EDC) can simplify information collection by getting correct source data when a patient gets care. Such interoperability also can decrease the transcription errors and ease interpretation of data.
“FDA motivates the sponsors and clinical investigators to work with the entities that control the EHRs, like healthcare agencies, to use EHRs and EDC systems that are interoperable,” the draft guidance claims.
Another best practice for utilizing the EHR data in clinical trials is making sure the data is attributable, legible, contemporaneous, original and accurate. Further, FDA suggests utilization of ONC-certified EHRs and other health IT due to clear differences in interoperability and keeping data confidential.
Non-certified EHRs may be utilized, but should be assessed to determine if adequate controls are in place to make certain the data confidentiality, integrity and reliability. The assessment should involve limited access to electronic networks; identification of authors of records; audit trails to track changes to information; and availability and retention of records required for FDA inspection.
Moreover, trial sponsors should outline data flow between the EHR and the electronic data capture system, in accordance to FDA.
Other highlights of the instructions involve:
- When healthcare experts not part of the investigation modify or accurate EHR data that will be utilized in a trial, ensure modifications don’t obscure previous entries.
- Audit trail documentation of HER information should be retained at least as long as the time period needed for the subject’s electronic records, and should be present for FDA to review and copy.
- Informed consent must involve the extent to which subject confidentiality will be maintained and recognize entire entities who might have access to the subject information.
- Sponsors should consider safeguards to secure information from subjects who participate, decide to discontinue involvement or are discontinued from involvement by the clinical investigator.
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Cigna Introduces Latest Mortgage And Renters Insurance
Cigna declared today the launch of its latest Mortgage and Rent Safe insurance, which assists Kiwi home owners or renters to keep a roof over their heads if they cannot work because of illness, wound or redundancy. The insurance, which can be bought online or over the phone, is particularly designed to meet the requirements and budget of a broad range of persons, with a variety of choices to select from.
Cigna’s Head of Product, Adam Rudland stated that the company observed a requirement for a simple and affordable alternative to complete income protection insurance. This was further supported by the recent financial outcomes of the Cigna 360° Wellbeing Score research. “While the research discovered that the price of living is the top social concern for Kiwis, only 16 percent of us consider that we’ve financial security if we are not able to work. In fact nearly half of Kiwis cannot pay the bills for more than a month if not able to work,” stated Adam.
The research also discovered that the majority of Kiwis (79 percent) consider that they do not require any budgeting advice. “There could be various reasons for this involving the general ‘she will be right’ Kiwi attitude,” claims Adam. ”Although, sometimes things do not go right. In fact in around 54,800 residents a year someone falls sick and is not able to work for 3 months or more. Insuring your income is believed to be one of the easiest choices to make sure that you and your loved ones are taken care of if you cannot work.”
Cigna’s Head of Product, Adam Rudland stated that the company observed a requirement for a simple and affordable alternative to complete income protection insurance. This was further supported by the recent financial outcomes of the Cigna 360° Wellbeing Score research. “While the research discovered that the price of living is the top social concern for Kiwis, only 16 percent of us consider that we’ve financial security if we are not able to work. In fact nearly half of Kiwis cannot pay the bills for more than a month if not able to work,” stated Adam.
The research also discovered that the majority of Kiwis (79 percent) consider that they do not require any budgeting advice. “There could be various reasons for this involving the general ‘she will be right’ Kiwi attitude,” claims Adam. ”Although, sometimes things do not go right. In fact in around 54,800 residents a year someone falls sick and is not able to work for 3 months or more. Insuring your income is believed to be one of the easiest choices to make sure that you and your loved ones are taken care of if you cannot work.”
Orange Regional acquires Stage 7 designation
Orange Regional Medical Center is the latest provider agency to be identified as achieving the highest level of capability in utilizing the electronic health records.
The 383-bed academic medical center was identified for its speed in implementing its electronic health records system and its use of analytics by HIMSS Analytics, which offered the Stage 7 award in its Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model Program.
Orange Regional, based in Middletown, N.Y., is a not-for-profit agency that employs about 2,400 healthcare professionals, serving 450,000 patients throughout Orange and Sullivan Counties and beyond.
The 383-bed academic medical center was identified for its speed in implementing its electronic health records system and its use of analytics by HIMSS Analytics, which offered the Stage 7 award in its Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model Program.
Orange Regional Medical Center
Orange Regional, based in Middletown, N.Y., is a not-for-profit agency that employs about 2,400 healthcare professionals, serving 450,000 patients throughout Orange and Sullivan Counties and beyond.
Yale-New Haven assists to establish cloud system for sharing EHR, research data
Researcher at the Yale School of Medicine has based a new cloud-based system that enables them to pull patient EHRs from across various healthcare agencies and to synchronize that data.
The system, called Hugo, was established in a partnership between Yale-New Haven Health System and health information exchange vendor Stella Technology. Hugo is designed to permit sufferers to gather all their health-related data for healthcare research studies.
The platform is presently being tested to ensure that the technology works well and to identify any areas that need improvement, in accordance to Harlan Krumholz, MD, professor of internal medicine at Yale-New Haven and one of the developers of Hugo. While Hugo is not still available outside of Yale’s studies/testing environment, they are laying the foundation for broader release and uses.
The system, called Hugo, was established in a partnership between Yale-New Haven Health System and health information exchange vendor Stella Technology. Hugo is designed to permit sufferers to gather all their health-related data for healthcare research studies.
The platform is presently being tested to ensure that the technology works well and to identify any areas that need improvement, in accordance to Harlan Krumholz, MD, professor of internal medicine at Yale-New Haven and one of the developers of Hugo. While Hugo is not still available outside of Yale’s studies/testing environment, they are laying the foundation for broader release and uses.
How Does Physician Behavior Impact Sufferer Decision-Making?
New research indicates that contributors require to better incorporate goal-setting activities in sufferer decision-making as a way to empower patient engagement.
Doctors require determining a way by which they can incorporate goal-setting conversations into primary care as a way to boost shared patient decision-making, shows a study recently issued in the Annals of Family Medicine.
The study took 2 groups of sufferers and either administered a questionnaire inquiring about their health-related goals and their quality of life goals, or simply asked about their symptoms. Patients were randomly assigned to their doctors, and the doctors reviewed the questionnaires prior to the care encounter.
Based off of prior industry research, the researchers hypothesized that providers’ encounters with patients who filled out a goal-setting questionnaire will center more on patient wellness and shared decision-making.
“We wondered if sufferers could encourage their primary care physicians to utilize a more direct, patient-centered approach to care by using routine pre-encounter forms to alert their physicians to the activities important to them,” the research team, led by Becky Purkaple, claimed
Doctors require determining a way by which they can incorporate goal-setting conversations into primary care as a way to boost shared patient decision-making, shows a study recently issued in the Annals of Family Medicine.
The study took 2 groups of sufferers and either administered a questionnaire inquiring about their health-related goals and their quality of life goals, or simply asked about their symptoms. Patients were randomly assigned to their doctors, and the doctors reviewed the questionnaires prior to the care encounter.
Based off of prior industry research, the researchers hypothesized that providers’ encounters with patients who filled out a goal-setting questionnaire will center more on patient wellness and shared decision-making.
“We wondered if sufferers could encourage their primary care physicians to utilize a more direct, patient-centered approach to care by using routine pre-encounter forms to alert their physicians to the activities important to them,” the research team, led by Becky Purkaple, claimed
How the SMART Act Solved the Medicare Secondary Payer Problems
The SMART Act was approved in case to remedy the issues seen for various decades within the Medicare Secondary Payer law.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its final rule detailing a timeline for the expansion of the Medicare Secondary Payer Web portal, which must meet the needs of the Medicare IVIG Access and Strengthening Medicare and Repaying Taxpayers Act of 2012 or SMART Act.
The SMART Act was passed in case to remedy the issued seen for several decades within the Medicare Secondary Payer law, according to the Medicare Advocacy Recovery Coalition. In the year 1980, the Senate and House of Representatives passed the Medicare Secondary Payer law, which determines the payment procedures for treating Medicare beneficiaries in the midst of a scenario in which a third party is responsible for covering medical costs.
“When the Medicare program was enacted in the year 1965, Medicare was the primary payer for all medically necessary covered and otherwise reimbursable items and services, with the exception of those items and services covered and payable by workers’ compensation. In the year 1980, the Congress enacted the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) provisions of the Social Security Act (the Act), which added section 1862(b) to the Act and developed Medicare as the secondary payer to certain primary plans,” the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) reported in a news brief.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its final rule detailing a timeline for the expansion of the Medicare Secondary Payer Web portal, which must meet the needs of the Medicare IVIG Access and Strengthening Medicare and Repaying Taxpayers Act of 2012 or SMART Act.
The SMART Act was passed in case to remedy the issued seen for several decades within the Medicare Secondary Payer law, according to the Medicare Advocacy Recovery Coalition. In the year 1980, the Senate and House of Representatives passed the Medicare Secondary Payer law, which determines the payment procedures for treating Medicare beneficiaries in the midst of a scenario in which a third party is responsible for covering medical costs.
“When the Medicare program was enacted in the year 1965, Medicare was the primary payer for all medically necessary covered and otherwise reimbursable items and services, with the exception of those items and services covered and payable by workers’ compensation. In the year 1980, the Congress enacted the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) provisions of the Social Security Act (the Act), which added section 1862(b) to the Act and developed Medicare as the secondary payer to certain primary plans,” the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) reported in a news brief.
CMS deciding to Contribute $5 billion to modernize Medicaid IS
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is making preparations to pay $5 billion to modernize the IT that support the Medicaid management data systems of most states.
CMS, which invests 90% of MMIS systems now in use, is funding development of latest systems to replace present legacy systems that are generally decades old and have historically been very costly to function. Additionally, existing systems do not properly support accountable care and population health management, claims Steve Larson, executive vice president at Optum Government Solutions, the lead vendor.
The expertise of Optum deploys in pharmacy benefits management, project management and data analytics for quality metrics and population health among other facilities.
Joining Optum is payer software vendor Medecision and TriZetto, which gives analytics for utilization consideration and care management along with a health data exchange. TriZetto actuallu has sizable business in the Medicaid area, processing four million yearly transactions in eighteen states. Facilities that Medecision offers involve integration and execution expertise.
The industries will utilize a range of advanced modular software to update the functions of existing MMIS networks, and however the industries will be capable to give completely new MMIS systems, most of the modernization will include the execution of modules, Larsen claims.
The team of vendor also can run the MMIS on behalf of a state, he further adds.
In the first 2 or 3 years, the market for updates could hit the $2 billion range, with the team choosing up more business in the subsequent years, Larsen claims.
CMS, which invests 90% of MMIS systems now in use, is funding development of latest systems to replace present legacy systems that are generally decades old and have historically been very costly to function. Additionally, existing systems do not properly support accountable care and population health management, claims Steve Larson, executive vice president at Optum Government Solutions, the lead vendor.
The expertise of Optum deploys in pharmacy benefits management, project management and data analytics for quality metrics and population health among other facilities.
Joining Optum is payer software vendor Medecision and TriZetto, which gives analytics for utilization consideration and care management along with a health data exchange. TriZetto actuallu has sizable business in the Medicaid area, processing four million yearly transactions in eighteen states. Facilities that Medecision offers involve integration and execution expertise.
The industries will utilize a range of advanced modular software to update the functions of existing MMIS networks, and however the industries will be capable to give completely new MMIS systems, most of the modernization will include the execution of modules, Larsen claims.
The team of vendor also can run the MMIS on behalf of a state, he further adds.
In the first 2 or 3 years, the market for updates could hit the $2 billion range, with the team choosing up more business in the subsequent years, Larsen claims.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
UC Health achieves the HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 awards
UC Health, the University of Cincinnati’s affiliated health system, has gained a Stage 7 Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) Award from the proposed HIMSS Analytics, while the 167 of its network practices have acquired Stage 7 Ambulatory Awards.
The EMRAM is a popular methodology and process for evaluating the development and affect of electronic medical record systems for the hospitals, which involves 8 stages (0-7) that calculate a hospital’s execution and utilization of information technology applications. Similarly, the EMR Ambulatory Adoption Model offers a methodology for evaluating the development and affect of electronic medical record systems for ambulatory services owned by the hospitals utilizing the similar 8-stage scale.
UC Health involves the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, 3 extra hospitals, and the University of Cincinnati Physicians, Cincinnati’s greatest multi-specialty practice team with more than seven hundred board-certified surgeons and clinicians.
“UC Health is to be identified for our important adoption of the EHRs by receiving the HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 in both our acute and ambulatory care atmospheres. This achievement is because of our commitment to better patient results through the extended utilization of IT,” stated Jay Brown, UC Health’s senior vice president and chief information officer. “The HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 Award mentions our commitment to delivering the greatest quality of care and enhancing the experience of our sufferers.”
The EMRAM is a popular methodology and process for evaluating the development and affect of electronic medical record systems for the hospitals, which involves 8 stages (0-7) that calculate a hospital’s execution and utilization of information technology applications. Similarly, the EMR Ambulatory Adoption Model offers a methodology for evaluating the development and affect of electronic medical record systems for ambulatory services owned by the hospitals utilizing the similar 8-stage scale.
UC Health involves the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, 3 extra hospitals, and the University of Cincinnati Physicians, Cincinnati’s greatest multi-specialty practice team with more than seven hundred board-certified surgeons and clinicians.
“UC Health is to be identified for our important adoption of the EHRs by receiving the HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 in both our acute and ambulatory care atmospheres. This achievement is because of our commitment to better patient results through the extended utilization of IT,” stated Jay Brown, UC Health’s senior vice president and chief information officer. “The HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 Award mentions our commitment to delivering the greatest quality of care and enhancing the experience of our sufferers.”
Cerner Embroiled in Lawsuits over Worker Wage Conflicts
Various lawsuits have emerged that claim EHR vendor Cerner hasn’t rightly paid some workers for overtime work.
Cerner Corporation, a leading EHR vendor, has allegedly avoided to pay workers for overtime hours.
A Cerner worker has recently filed a class-action lawsuit against the healthcare technology company in Kansas City. The lawsuit states that delivery consultants in the application management services department were reportedly hoped to work 48 works at week, but were never paid overtime wages. The employees act as help desk personnel, providing technical support and troubleshooting help.
The worker also claims that Cerner has failed to pay overtime wages to thousands of other workers, even to some who are no longer at the company.
Through the class-action lawsuit, the worker is seeking undisclosed damages after citing that Cerner violated the Fair Labor Standards Act and Missouri’s overtime law.
Cerner Corporation, a leading EHR vendor, has allegedly avoided to pay workers for overtime hours.
A Cerner worker has recently filed a class-action lawsuit against the healthcare technology company in Kansas City. The lawsuit states that delivery consultants in the application management services department were reportedly hoped to work 48 works at week, but were never paid overtime wages. The employees act as help desk personnel, providing technical support and troubleshooting help.
The worker also claims that Cerner has failed to pay overtime wages to thousands of other workers, even to some who are no longer at the company.
Through the class-action lawsuit, the worker is seeking undisclosed damages after citing that Cerner violated the Fair Labor Standards Act and Missouri’s overtime law.
ONC Outlines Plan to Make better the Data Standards, Big Data Analytics
ONC's plan involves empowering health data interoperability to support better data standards and big data analytics.
ONC has proposed various pieces of legislation promoting better and more effective data standards for health information exchange, which would assist to support the use of healthcare big data analytics to make better the patient care.
In accordance to a recent blog post published by ONC’s Karen Desalvo and Lisa Lewis, the agency has proposed various pieces of legislation in an effort to keep pace with the quick evolution of healthcare IT. This legislation covers 4 main categories, primarily centering on health information exchange and interoperability.
First, ONC seeks to eliminate health information blocking, a practice that purportedly keeps data in just one health network or one technology vendor’s hands. Information blocking seriously hinders patient care, however, because it keeps all essential providers from seeing a the full scope of patient information, potentially causing them to perform repetitive procedures or even making care decisions based off of limited information.
ONC has proposed various pieces of legislation promoting better and more effective data standards for health information exchange, which would assist to support the use of healthcare big data analytics to make better the patient care.
In accordance to a recent blog post published by ONC’s Karen Desalvo and Lisa Lewis, the agency has proposed various pieces of legislation in an effort to keep pace with the quick evolution of healthcare IT. This legislation covers 4 main categories, primarily centering on health information exchange and interoperability.
First, ONC seeks to eliminate health information blocking, a practice that purportedly keeps data in just one health network or one technology vendor’s hands. Information blocking seriously hinders patient care, however, because it keeps all essential providers from seeing a the full scope of patient information, potentially causing them to perform repetitive procedures or even making care decisions based off of limited information.
Value-Based Care Leads to Higher Prices for Surgical Complexities
A study discloses that as a result of value-based care payment reforms, surgical complications now lead to increased prices for both hospitals and 3rd-party payers.
As a result of recent attempts to bring value-based care to the reimbursement cycle, it is now more significant for both providers and payers to gain an understanding about the link between costs and surgical complications, in accordance to a recent study in The Journal of the American Medical Association.
Surgical complications are growingly leading to financial penalties and poor performance on quality metrics tied to payments, which are raising prices for both hospitals and third-party payers. As an outcome, both groups are now financially supported to promote surgical quality improvement, claimed a research team from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.
“Perhaps the best representation of the financial burden absorbed by hospitals is profit margin,” the team wrote. After conducting a study, researchers analyzed that overall hospital profit margins shrank from 5.8% for patients without complications to 0.1% for patients with complications.
As a result of recent attempts to bring value-based care to the reimbursement cycle, it is now more significant for both providers and payers to gain an understanding about the link between costs and surgical complications, in accordance to a recent study in The Journal of the American Medical Association.
Surgical complications are growingly leading to financial penalties and poor performance on quality metrics tied to payments, which are raising prices for both hospitals and third-party payers. As an outcome, both groups are now financially supported to promote surgical quality improvement, claimed a research team from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.
“Perhaps the best representation of the financial burden absorbed by hospitals is profit margin,” the team wrote. After conducting a study, researchers analyzed that overall hospital profit margins shrank from 5.8% for patients without complications to 0.1% for patients with complications.
More Face-to-Face Interaction Is Primary to Sufferer Engagement
Over 50% of healthcare professionals consider face-to-face interaction is the most significant patient engagement strategy.
More face time with sufferers is a top patient engagement strategy, while mHealth tools are not, says a recent survey from the New England Journal of Medicine.
The survey, administered between February and March of this year, gleaned insights from a total of 340 healthcare professionals, involving clinicians, clinician leaders, and hospital executives.
Overall, 59%of respondents said that increasing face-to-face time with patients was the best patient engagement strategy, followed by shared decision-making initiatives, with 54% of respondents reporting such.
Boosting patient access to relevant services was also a useful patient engagement strategy, according to 36% of respondents.
More face time with sufferers is a top patient engagement strategy, while mHealth tools are not, says a recent survey from the New England Journal of Medicine.
The survey, administered between February and March of this year, gleaned insights from a total of 340 healthcare professionals, involving clinicians, clinician leaders, and hospital executives.
Overall, 59%of respondents said that increasing face-to-face time with patients was the best patient engagement strategy, followed by shared decision-making initiatives, with 54% of respondents reporting such.
Boosting patient access to relevant services was also a useful patient engagement strategy, according to 36% of respondents.
UC Health achieves the HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 awards
UC Health, the University of Cincinnati’s affiliated health system, has gained a Stage 7 Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) Award from the proposed HIMSS Analytics, while the 167 of its network practices have acquired Stage 7 Ambulatory Awards.
The EMRAM is a popular methodology and process for evaluating the development and affect of electronic medical record systems for the hospitals, which involves 8 stages (0-7) that calculate a hospital’s execution and utilization of information technology applications. Similarly, the EMR Ambulatory Adoption Model offers a methodology for evaluating the development and affect of electronic medical record systems for ambulatory services owned by the hospitals utilizing the similar 8-stage scale.
UC Health involves the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, 3 extra hospitals, and the University of Cincinnati Physicians, Cincinnati’s greatest multi-specialty practice team with more than seven hundred board-certified surgeons and clinicians.
“UC Health is to be identified for our important adoption of the EHRs by receiving the HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 in both our acute and ambulatory care atmospheres. This achievement is because of our commitment to better patient results through the extended utilization of IT,” stated Jay Brown, UC Health’s senior vice president and chief information officer. “The HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 Award mentions our commitment to delivering the greatest quality of care and enhancing the experience of our sufferers.”
The health network joins an elite group of hospitals in the HIMSS Analytics database that have acquired Stage 7 certification for inpatient care. HIMSS Analytics points out that during the 4th quarter of 2015 merely 4.2% of the more than 5,400 U.S. hospitals in its contributor database gained the Stage 7 Award. And, only 7.89% of the more than 34,000 ambulatory clinics it detects acquired the Stage 7 Ambulatory Award.
The EMRAM is a popular methodology and process for evaluating the development and affect of electronic medical record systems for the hospitals, which involves 8 stages (0-7) that calculate a hospital’s execution and utilization of information technology applications. Similarly, the EMR Ambulatory Adoption Model offers a methodology for evaluating the development and affect of electronic medical record systems for ambulatory services owned by the hospitals utilizing the similar 8-stage scale.
UC Health involves the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, 3 extra hospitals, and the University of Cincinnati Physicians, Cincinnati’s greatest multi-specialty practice team with more than seven hundred board-certified surgeons and clinicians.
“UC Health is to be identified for our important adoption of the EHRs by receiving the HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 in both our acute and ambulatory care atmospheres. This achievement is because of our commitment to better patient results through the extended utilization of IT,” stated Jay Brown, UC Health’s senior vice president and chief information officer. “The HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 Award mentions our commitment to delivering the greatest quality of care and enhancing the experience of our sufferers.”
The health network joins an elite group of hospitals in the HIMSS Analytics database that have acquired Stage 7 certification for inpatient care. HIMSS Analytics points out that during the 4th quarter of 2015 merely 4.2% of the more than 5,400 U.S. hospitals in its contributor database gained the Stage 7 Award. And, only 7.89% of the more than 34,000 ambulatory clinics it detects acquired the Stage 7 Ambulatory Award.
Monday, May 16, 2016
Staying HIPAA Compliant While Utilizing Health Information Encryption
Health data encryption can be an important tool for healthcare organizations, as long as they make sure that they are staying HIPAA compliant in the process.
Many persons may be surprised to learn that HIPAA laws do not need any specific type of health data encryption.
However, regulatory updates since the Security Rule’s enactment have shown how critical HHS thinks encryption is, and for great reason.
Concentra Health was fined $1,725,220 to settle HIPAA Privacy violations which occurred after an unencrypted laptop was stolen from one its offices. That’s just one instance, but there are many more.
The fact is, the likelihood of your agency experiencing a breach is greatly reduced by the implementation of an effective encryption regimen. Being prepared will help eliminate the possibility that common occurrences, such as stolen equipment, lead to embarrassing breaches that ruin your business and reputation, as well as charge big money in potential fines.
Many persons may be surprised to learn that HIPAA laws do not need any specific type of health data encryption.
However, regulatory updates since the Security Rule’s enactment have shown how critical HHS thinks encryption is, and for great reason.
Concentra Health was fined $1,725,220 to settle HIPAA Privacy violations which occurred after an unencrypted laptop was stolen from one its offices. That’s just one instance, but there are many more.
The fact is, the likelihood of your agency experiencing a breach is greatly reduced by the implementation of an effective encryption regimen. Being prepared will help eliminate the possibility that common occurrences, such as stolen equipment, lead to embarrassing breaches that ruin your business and reputation, as well as charge big money in potential fines.
How Connected, Mobile Devices Impact the Healthcare Cybersecurity
Healthcare cybersecurity is rapidly evolving, with connected medical devices and mobile devices having a large impact on organizations approaches to security.
As more healthcare agencies work to keep pace with the ever-evolving options for mobile devices and connected medical devices, it is necessary that they are also mindful of potential healthcare cybersecurity concerns.
Healthcare organizations must make sure that they keep privacy and security issues at the center of any new technological integration. Otherwise, covered entities could find themselves facing a potential data security issue.
Being mindful of mobile devices, connected medical devices
There are definitely positive impacts from mobile device usage increasing in healthcare, explained Clyde, who is also on the board of directors for White Cloud Security.
For instance, healthcare providers’ doctors and staff members are excited about being capable to potentially use their own mobile devices.
However, it also means that there is a larger attack surface, Clyde acknowledged.
Ransomware and healthcare cybersecurity
Another key problem that covered entities of all sizes must be mindful of in the present state of healthcare cybersecurity is the potential for ransomware attacks.
There has been a large increase of ransomware attacks even in just the beginning of 2016, according to Clyde, and there has been a large increase from 2015 as well.
The attackers are typically going after small- to medium-sized organizations, and also usually do not inquire for large sums of money. The ransom requests also tend to be in Bitcoin.
Optimistic on the future of healthcare cybersecurity
There is a much higher degree of awareness in terms of healthcare cybersecurity, Clyde said, adding that he has never seen as high of a degree of awareness at the highest levels – like boards of directors – as in the last couple of years.
“The good news is we are passed the point where people just do not get it, that there’s an issue to be dealt with here. I consider people are hyper aware of cybersecurity and cybersecurity concerns.”
As more healthcare agencies work to keep pace with the ever-evolving options for mobile devices and connected medical devices, it is necessary that they are also mindful of potential healthcare cybersecurity concerns.
Healthcare organizations must make sure that they keep privacy and security issues at the center of any new technological integration. Otherwise, covered entities could find themselves facing a potential data security issue.
Being mindful of mobile devices, connected medical devices
There are definitely positive impacts from mobile device usage increasing in healthcare, explained Clyde, who is also on the board of directors for White Cloud Security.
For instance, healthcare providers’ doctors and staff members are excited about being capable to potentially use their own mobile devices.
However, it also means that there is a larger attack surface, Clyde acknowledged.
Ransomware and healthcare cybersecurity
Another key problem that covered entities of all sizes must be mindful of in the present state of healthcare cybersecurity is the potential for ransomware attacks.
There has been a large increase of ransomware attacks even in just the beginning of 2016, according to Clyde, and there has been a large increase from 2015 as well.
The attackers are typically going after small- to medium-sized organizations, and also usually do not inquire for large sums of money. The ransom requests also tend to be in Bitcoin.
Optimistic on the future of healthcare cybersecurity
There is a much higher degree of awareness in terms of healthcare cybersecurity, Clyde said, adding that he has never seen as high of a degree of awareness at the highest levels – like boards of directors – as in the last couple of years.
“The good news is we are passed the point where people just do not get it, that there’s an issue to be dealt with here. I consider people are hyper aware of cybersecurity and cybersecurity concerns.”
Task Force Discusses Healthcare Interoperability Standards
The Interoperability Experience Task Force pinpointed huge issues to healthcare interoperability, like a deficiency of standardization and strict regulations.
In a recent meeting of the Interoperability Experience Task Force, healthcare stakeholders recognized the top challenges to healthcare interoperability, involving the data availability and accessibility, the requirement for data sharing and format standards, and a lack of supportive regulations and policies.
The Health IT Policy Committee and HIT Standards Committee’s task force met previous week to discuss the most significant needs for interoperability and pinpoint where the industry should start to make better. The task force was made to advise the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information and Technology.
Through the meeting, the task force discovered that one of the biggest challenges to healthcare interoperability is the large volumes of health data and a lack of workflows to handle the information. The task force reported that many industry stakeholders are overwhelmed by the amount of patient data and EHR data, which can hinder care coordination and timely care.
In a recent meeting of the Interoperability Experience Task Force, healthcare stakeholders recognized the top challenges to healthcare interoperability, involving the data availability and accessibility, the requirement for data sharing and format standards, and a lack of supportive regulations and policies.
The Health IT Policy Committee and HIT Standards Committee’s task force met previous week to discuss the most significant needs for interoperability and pinpoint where the industry should start to make better. The task force was made to advise the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information and Technology.
Through the meeting, the task force discovered that one of the biggest challenges to healthcare interoperability is the large volumes of health data and a lack of workflows to handle the information. The task force reported that many industry stakeholders are overwhelmed by the amount of patient data and EHR data, which can hinder care coordination and timely care.
Factors Investing to Hospital EHR Execution Success
A successful EHR execution at Beebe Healthcare was driven by 3 factors: a multidisciplinary team, long-term goals, and physician engagement.
More than 2 years ago, Beebe Healthcare in southern Delaware made a significant decision about their health IT infrastructure in deciding on EHR replacement technology to indicate meaningful use in the near term and prepare for a transformation in care delivery in the years to follow.
The health system's present Vice President and CIO Michael Maksymow, Jr., joined the agency as it approach the end of its EHR selection procedure, offering the final push that analyzed Beebe Healthcare opt to become a Cerner EHR shop.
With an aggressive 9 month execution schedule set, the Delaware health system had little margin for error, keeping its Cerner implementation project scope purposefully narrow and laser-focused on delivering the EHR functionality necessary for achieving meaningful use while leaving room for later EHR optimization attempts.
More than 2 years ago, Beebe Healthcare in southern Delaware made a significant decision about their health IT infrastructure in deciding on EHR replacement technology to indicate meaningful use in the near term and prepare for a transformation in care delivery in the years to follow.
The health system's present Vice President and CIO Michael Maksymow, Jr., joined the agency as it approach the end of its EHR selection procedure, offering the final push that analyzed Beebe Healthcare opt to become a Cerner EHR shop.
With an aggressive 9 month execution schedule set, the Delaware health system had little margin for error, keeping its Cerner implementation project scope purposefully narrow and laser-focused on delivering the EHR functionality necessary for achieving meaningful use while leaving room for later EHR optimization attempts.
How MedStar Health Balances Customer and Sufferer Engagement
In MedStar Health's vision to reimagine patient engagement, physicians began to look at their patients as customers, and started offering services to completely enhance patient satisfaction.
A change is happening in healthcare. Contributors no longer think of their sufferers as singular appointments and are implementing improved patient engagement strategies that target effective, efficient, and consistent patient access to care.
At MedStar Health, a nonprofit community health system serving the Washington D.C. and Baltimore area, hospital leaders see this change as a shift in how they view the sufferer.
Patients now act more like customers, stated Michael Ruiz, vice president and chief digital officer for MedStar Health, in a recent interview. Because of that, healthcare professionals require to focus on making better the consumer satisfaction.
“MedStar has made a significant investment in really thinking about how we reimagine how we engage with sufferers based on the hopes that patients – really consumers – have today,” Ruiz stated.
A change is happening in healthcare. Contributors no longer think of their sufferers as singular appointments and are implementing improved patient engagement strategies that target effective, efficient, and consistent patient access to care.
At MedStar Health, a nonprofit community health system serving the Washington D.C. and Baltimore area, hospital leaders see this change as a shift in how they view the sufferer.
Patients now act more like customers, stated Michael Ruiz, vice president and chief digital officer for MedStar Health, in a recent interview. Because of that, healthcare professionals require to focus on making better the consumer satisfaction.
“MedStar has made a significant investment in really thinking about how we reimagine how we engage with sufferers based on the hopes that patients – really consumers – have today,” Ruiz stated.
Survey: No slowdown in the way of healthcare violations
Almost 90% of healthcare agencies were the victims of a data violation in the past 2 years, and 45% had more than 5 data breaches during that similar time period.
Criminal attacks are the major cause of these health data breaches, with 50% of healthcare agencies and 41% of business associates reporting such attacks, while worker mistakes, third-party snafus, and stolen computer tools are the cited reasons for the other violations.
Those are among the conclusions of a latest study by the Ponemon Institute, sponsored by software and services vendor ID Experts, in which denial-of-service attacks; malware, ransomware, and phishing are enlisted as the top cyber risks confronting healthcare agencies and business associates.
As the cyber risk has sustained to increase, 79% of healthcare agencies experienced various data breaches (2 or more) in the past 2 years—up 20% since the year 2010. And, 34% of healthcare agencies experienced 2 to 5 breaches.
Rick Kam, president of ID Experts, point outs that the 2016 report is the 6th annual report gave in partnership with the Ponemon Institute and that the there is not much change in the statistics over the passage of time. “That in itself appears to be a problem,” he states. “The figures, frequency, and intensity of breaches in the healthcare sector sustain to be high.”
Kam considers the issue is just going to get worse before it gets better. In that regard, the research also discovered that however most surveyed agencies consider they are susceptible to a data breach, they are unprepared to deal latest risks like ransomware and deficiency the resources to secure patient data.
In fact, 59% of healthcare agencies and 60% of business associates surveyed do not consider their agency’s security budget is enough to curtail or minimize information breaches.
These agencies are in the unenviable post of either paying now by contributing in cyber defense or paying later in regards of economical losses. As the report discloses, data violations are costing the healthcare industry $6.2 billion yearly, with the average price of data violations for covered entities surveyed now standing at more than $2.2M while the average price to business associates in the research pegged at more than $1 million. Medical records are the most usually exposed information, followed by the insurance and billing records, and payment details.
In the research, 38% of healthcare agencies and 26% of business associates are aware of medical identity theft cases impacting their own sufferers and clients. Nevertheless, 64% of healthcare agencies and 67% of BAs surveyed do not give any protection services for victims whose data has been breached.
The CISA act would develop a cybersecurity framework particularly concentrated on healthcare and instructs the Department of Health and Human Services to recognize a particular leader on cyber preparedness, as well as directs HHS to make a series of best practices for health industry leaders to follow—on a voluntary basis—to assist them keep their agency’s data as safe as possible.
Criminal attacks are the major cause of these health data breaches, with 50% of healthcare agencies and 41% of business associates reporting such attacks, while worker mistakes, third-party snafus, and stolen computer tools are the cited reasons for the other violations.
Those are among the conclusions of a latest study by the Ponemon Institute, sponsored by software and services vendor ID Experts, in which denial-of-service attacks; malware, ransomware, and phishing are enlisted as the top cyber risks confronting healthcare agencies and business associates.
As the cyber risk has sustained to increase, 79% of healthcare agencies experienced various data breaches (2 or more) in the past 2 years—up 20% since the year 2010. And, 34% of healthcare agencies experienced 2 to 5 breaches.
Rick Kam, president of ID Experts, point outs that the 2016 report is the 6th annual report gave in partnership with the Ponemon Institute and that the there is not much change in the statistics over the passage of time. “That in itself appears to be a problem,” he states. “The figures, frequency, and intensity of breaches in the healthcare sector sustain to be high.”
Kam considers the issue is just going to get worse before it gets better. In that regard, the research also discovered that however most surveyed agencies consider they are susceptible to a data breach, they are unprepared to deal latest risks like ransomware and deficiency the resources to secure patient data.
In fact, 59% of healthcare agencies and 60% of business associates surveyed do not consider their agency’s security budget is enough to curtail or minimize information breaches.
These agencies are in the unenviable post of either paying now by contributing in cyber defense or paying later in regards of economical losses. As the report discloses, data violations are costing the healthcare industry $6.2 billion yearly, with the average price of data violations for covered entities surveyed now standing at more than $2.2M while the average price to business associates in the research pegged at more than $1 million. Medical records are the most usually exposed information, followed by the insurance and billing records, and payment details.
In the research, 38% of healthcare agencies and 26% of business associates are aware of medical identity theft cases impacting their own sufferers and clients. Nevertheless, 64% of healthcare agencies and 67% of BAs surveyed do not give any protection services for victims whose data has been breached.
The CISA act would develop a cybersecurity framework particularly concentrated on healthcare and instructs the Department of Health and Human Services to recognize a particular leader on cyber preparedness, as well as directs HHS to make a series of best practices for health industry leaders to follow—on a voluntary basis—to assist them keep their agency’s data as safe as possible.
Friday, May 13, 2016
Big health insurance mergers gain millions in legal and banking facilities
While regulators and consumers debate the merits of the huge pending health insurance mergers, attorneys and financiers are observing their incomes grow
Aetna Inc., Anthem Inc., Cigna Corp. and Humana Inc. cumulatively have spent more than $400 million on armies of lawyers, investment bankers and other advisers who have crafted and advocated for their respective mega-mergers. That money covers after-tax expenditures from the time the deals were declared previous summer through the end of this year's first quarter on March 31.
It is been almost a year since the greatest players in the health insurance industry publicly revealed their pursuits. Previous July, Aetna agreed to buy Humana into a $37 billion deal to bolster its Medicare Advantage business. Weeks later, Anthem and Cigna finalized their own transaction, which is presently valued at $53 billion and would predominantly consolidate employer health-plan choices.
If Aetna and Anthem obtain approvals from the U.S. Department of Justice and state regulators, they will, along with UnitedHealth Group Inc., make a strong triumvirate of for-profit insurers.
Aetna Inc., Anthem Inc., Cigna Corp. and Humana Inc. cumulatively have spent more than $400 million on armies of lawyers, investment bankers and other advisers who have crafted and advocated for their respective mega-mergers. That money covers after-tax expenditures from the time the deals were declared previous summer through the end of this year's first quarter on March 31.
It is been almost a year since the greatest players in the health insurance industry publicly revealed their pursuits. Previous July, Aetna agreed to buy Humana into a $37 billion deal to bolster its Medicare Advantage business. Weeks later, Anthem and Cigna finalized their own transaction, which is presently valued at $53 billion and would predominantly consolidate employer health-plan choices.
If Aetna and Anthem obtain approvals from the U.S. Department of Justice and state regulators, they will, along with UnitedHealth Group Inc., make a strong triumvirate of for-profit insurers.
Major Reasons behind Why Your Health Insurance Premiums Are Going Up Again
While health insurers are really busy setting their premium amounts for the year 2017, economists and industry experts claim that premium will actually increase next year, however the size of the increases is uncertain and unknown.
A recent report from the American Academy of Actuaries claims the trends that will affect the health insurance premiums next year. “There are both upward and downward pressures on premiums for the year 2017, but for the person and minor group markets as a whole, the factors driving premium rising up dominate,” senior academy health fellow Cori Uccello stated in a statement.
Here are some of the greatest trends affecting your premium prices next year:
A recent report from the American Academy of Actuaries claims the trends that will affect the health insurance premiums next year. “There are both upward and downward pressures on premiums for the year 2017, but for the person and minor group markets as a whole, the factors driving premium rising up dominate,” senior academy health fellow Cori Uccello stated in a statement.
Here are some of the greatest trends affecting your premium prices next year:
- The price of care is going up. While overall health care prices are not increasing as rapidly as they have historically, they are yet increasing, with prescription drug prices rising specifically fast. That trend will likely sustain, as more high-price specialty drugs come to market.
- A federal program offering extra cash to marketplace insurers will finish. Since the year 2014, the federal government has compensated health insurers who enroll higher-cost clients in their policies through a reinsurance program, which has steadily reduced the rate of payments per year. In the year 2017, those payments will end completely, which the Academy of Actuary projects could force costs up 4% to 7%.
- Insurers have a great understanding of the risk pool. Insurers set and place their premiums to depict their experience with the real threat of those enrolled in Obamacare. The Academy of Actuaries doesn’t project how this will affect rates next year, but notes that in initial years, several insurers set premiums too low to cover their real prices and will learn from that experience and process.
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