September 27, 2015NewsComments Off on Population Health Management Weekly Wrap Up 9/27/15
Symphony Technology Group subsidiary Evidera launches a real-time analytics platform for a variety of data sources including claims, EHRs, and registries. Analysis Apps are included for such areas as drug safety, epidemiology, health economics, and comparative effectiveness.
Seattle-based data analytics firm Atigeo raises $18.4 million in a funding round led by a super-angel investor, with contributions from Ascension Ventures and other private investors. The company, which markets its XPatterns software to providers looking to jump to value-based business models, plans to double its staff over the next year.
Summit Medical Group (TN) selects Athenahealth’s AthenaCommunicator Enterprise solution to advance population health management initiatives across its 54 locations in 12 East Tennessee counties. Management services organization Summit Strategic Solutions will handle the implementation.
John Muir Health (CA) chooses Health Catalyst’s enterprise data warehouse and analytics platform.
The National Governors Association offers states advice on how to use data to better serve healthcare super users and big spenders, highlighting the success several have seen with sharing data via HIE. (I was amused to see that even the NGA lets “HER” slip into official reports.)
Genesis Accountable Physician Network and University of Texas Southwestern Clinically Affiliated Physicians partner to form the UT Southwestern Accountable Care Network in an effort to better align primary and specialty care across providers and payers. The network, made up of UT faculty physicians and independent physicians, will offer its members access to technologies for population risk stratification, predictive modeling, sophisticated disease registries, point-of-care management, and automated appointment reminders.
Healthcare can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to cyber security concerns: A Raytheon|Websense study finds that healthcare sees 340 percent more security incidents than the average industry and is that much more likely to be impacted by data theft. (Health data is now 10 times more valuable on the black market.) Researchers have also found that one in every 600 attacks in healthcare involve advanced malware, and that the industry is 74 percent more likely than others to be impacted by phishing schemes. There doesn’t seem to be much of a silver lining here, other than to point out that any organization that hasn’t yet been breached has ample opportunity to learn from the mistakes of others. (I can’t decide if if the image of clipboard and paper above is intentionally ironic or actually quite fitting given the report’s dismal statistics around digital health data.)
Webinars
October 7 (Wednesday) 1:00 ET. “Develop Your Analysts and They’ll Pay for Themselves.” Sponsored by Health Catalyst. Presenters: Peter Monaco, senior business intelligence developer, Health Catalyst; Russ Stahli, VP, Health Catalyst. It takes years for analysts to develop the skills they need to build reports and dashboards that turn data into valuable insights. This webinar will describe how to cultivate those analytical skills, including technical prowess and adaptive leadership. Leaders will learn how to develop a culture that fosters improvement, how to encourage analysts to develop the right skills, and ways to remove the barriers that stand in their way.
#HIStalking Tweet Chat
Check out the recap of today’s #HIStalking tweet chat, hosted by @iatricFJF.
Announcements and Implementations
AristaMD will integrate the University of California, San Francisco’s Electronic Physician Referral and Consultation Platform into its software and service referral support program as part of a five-year licensing agreement.
RxNT partners with FlavorX to enable pediatricians to choose a patient’s medication flavor via its e-prescribing or EHR tools.
Entrada updates its mobile documentation and communication platform to include a real-time view of clinical schedules, care coordination and secure messaging tools, and quick reference to clinical data synced from the EHR.
Mountain Medical Physician Specialists, a radiology practice with 70 physicians serving patients in Utah and Idaho, moves from an in-house billing system to RCM services from Medical Billing Experts.
Government and Politics
FDA’s Associate Director for Digital Health Bakul Patel tweets out the agency’s need for three digital health scientists. Job duties include: review digital health policies and programs to determine their impact on current operations or regulations; researching emerging digital health technologies; identifying opportunities for innovation and collaboration; and improving processes and policies to remove barriers to the development and incorporation of digital health technologies.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker names Fay Donohue (DSM/Dentaquest), Bill Geary (Flare Capital Partners), and Colin Hill (GNS Healthcare) to the Health Information and Analysis Oversight Council, which is developing the research agenda and analytic priorities of the state’s Center for Health Information and Analysis. The council, which met for the first time yesterday, also includes Marylou Sudders, state secretary of HHS, and Kristen Lepore, state secretary of administration and finance.
Telemedicine
Hello Health announces the successful physician practice implementation of and reimbursement for its Wellbox telemedicine chronic care management system.
TelehealthOne opens a walk-in clinic at Fred’s Pharmacy in Flora, Mississippi. It’s the first walk-in clinic in the town of just under 2,000 people.
Northern Oswego County Health Services Inc. (NY) receives $1 million in funding from HHS as part of the ACA Health Infrastructure Investment Program. NOCHSI, which serves 30,000 patients across, will use part of the financing to provide telemedicine services to its primary care practice locations.
Research and Innovation
A survey of 400 physicians reveals that quality patient interaction is key to experiencing joy while practicing medicine, and yet 80 percent of physicians feel those experiences are highly difficult to attain. Between 80 and 90 percent feel it’s becoming harder to authentically engage patients; focus on their needs, treatments, and methods; and develop intimate professional relationships with them. The results aren’t surprising, given the proliferation of screens between physician and patient, and the decreasing amount of time available to physicians – particularly PCPs – to spend with them during office visits.
Other
A ComScore report shows that Americans spent up to 70 hours using smartphone apps in June; those in the 18-24 bracket spent almost 90 – compelling statistics for companies looking to get into the mobile healthcare app business. Seventy hours would seem like plenty of time to explore dozens of apps, and yet just three took up the biggest chunk of time for users – Facebook, YouTube, and Facebook Messenger. Fitbit, as well as Under Armor’s Myfitnesspal and Mapmyfitness, were singled out as the fastest-growing health and wellness apps.
September 24, 2015NewsComments Off on Readers Write: Everybody’s Talkin’ Telemedicine
Everybody’s Talkin’ Telemedicine By Janet Munro, CEO, Mehealth
From the corridors of power, where talk is of the Telehealth Parity Act, to the drugstore on the corner, with CVS Health reporting patient satisfaction rates topping 90 percent in its huge telemedicine pilot, everybody’s talking about telemedicine.
But does it work? Yes. Over 40 years of publications demonstrate that telemedicine saves money for patients, providers and payers; improves care; and yields high levels of patient satisfaction.
Here’s an example. There is a problem in pediatric ADHD care. The percentage of US children diagnosed with ADHD is climbing alarmingly; 11 percent of US children have diagnosed with ADHD. Specialists are warning that although environmental factors and social pressures may partly account for the rise in cases, poor diagnostic practices are also (probably substantially) to blame. The recommendations for the evaluation and diagnosis of ADHD are clear, but they are not systematically being followed. Misdiagnosis is a big problem. Of the 6.4 million kids diagnosed with ADHD, 4.2 million have been prescribed psychostimulants.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The relevant symptom groups should begin before 12 years of age, be present in at least two settings (for example home and school), and cause meaningful impairment. The symptoms and impairment should not be better explained by some other diagnosis, psychiatric or otherwise.
Digital health technologies are great for automatically coordinating this type of complex clinical task:
Communication.
Remote monitoring.
Data analysis and application of algorithms.
Mapping individual results against guidelines.
Providing alerts.
Does this example resonate with you? Are you ready to begin utilizing telemedicine? Let’s take a look at best telemedicine practices that will start physicians off on the right foot:
Use telemedicine to solve a problem. it’s best to start by using technology to tackle a clinical or admin problem that really bugs you. So, list your everyday challenges, determine what telemedicine tools could help you solve them (talk to colleagues, associations, professional organizations, etc.), then pick just one problem and implement a solution to help you tackle it. Don’t try to boil the ocean!
Check out the laws in your state. We’re moving towards central regulation of telemedicine, but we’re not there yet.
Check your equipment. For a remote consultation, you need a reliable Internet connection. For IT solutions such as on-line clinical decision support tools, make sure your Internet browser is compatible with the software.
Don’t share your passwords and user credentials. It’s bad practice and will likely violate the terms and conditions of your service providers. If someone else in your practice needs access, then they need their own log-in.
Privacy and confidentiality are critical. For a remote consultation, make sure you have a private and professional location, just as you would do in your clinic.
Select the right patients for telemedicine interventions. It’s great for some patients, but not right for others.
Obtain the patient’s consent. Whether it’s for use of a remote monitoring tool, a clinical decision support tool in the clinic, or a remote consultation. Explain what the technology is, why you are using it, and if there are any risks. Make sure patients understand what’s required of them, too.
Think “patient-centered care” – not technology centered care!
Ready to begin? Check out the American Telemedicine Association or your own specialty organization and get connected.
Janet Munro is CEO of Mehealth in Marlborough, MA.
September 23, 2015NewsComments Off on News 9/23/15
Top News
GE Healthcare creates Sustainable Healthcare Solutions, a new division that will serve emerging markets in Africa, India, and South and Southeast Asia. SHS will invest $300 million in a multi-phase effort to develop low-cost, high-value technologies and delivery solutions, working with local partners such as governments, business, NGOs, and physicians to roll them out. “SHS will leverage GE’s Fastworks methodology to accelerate, test, and rapidly commercialize relevant, affordable technologies,” explains Terri Bresenham, president and CEO of the new division. “By taking this ‘start-up’ model approach, we can rapidly test new ideas, products, and services to maximize effectiveness for customers before we scale up.”
HIStalk Practice Announcements and Requests
While we’re on the subject of emerging markets … I had the opportunity to hear a presentation on health data disparity from Vecna Technologies co-founder and CEO Deborah Theobald yesterday, during which she presented the CliniPak, a “lightweight” EHR that requires minimal training and can be hooked up to a variety of power sources (including a car battery!) One hundred of the devices are in the field – free clinics, hospitals, medical missions – in the very markets GE Healthcare’s new division will target, which makes me wonder if there’s some potential synergy between the two companies.
Working remotely sometimes has its drawbacks, as I discovered when connected to guest WiFi at a venue I rarely frequent. The content filtering service listed HIStalk Practice as “not rated,” so I submitted a request to have it classified appropriately, which will hopefully enable access the next time I visit. HIStalk and HIStalk Connect were a-ok, making me wonder if other services consider HP to be the black sheep of the HIStalk family.
A friend and I were discussing favorite industry podcasts earlier today, which made me realize I only know of a handful devoted to healthcare IT. Are there others I should be tuning in to? Any I shouldn’t waste my time with? Let me know via the comments below.
Webinars
October 7 (Wednesday) 1:00 ET. “Develop Your Analysts and They’ll Pay for Themselves.” Sponsored by Health Catalyst. Presenters: Peter Monaco, senior business intelligence developer, Health Catalyst; Russ Stahli, VP, Health Catalyst. It takes years for analysts to develop the skills they need to build reports and dashboards that turn data into valuable insights. This webinar will describe how to cultivate those analytical skills, including technical prowess and adaptive leadership. Leaders will learn how to develop a culture that fosters improvement, how to encourage analysts to develop the right skills, and ways to remove the barriers that stand in their way.
Here’s the video of Tuesday’s webinar from The Breakaway Group titled “Just Step on the Scale: Measure Ongoing EHR Success and Focus Improvements using Simple but Predictive Adoption Metrics.”
#HIStalking Tweet Chat –Portals, Mobile Devices, and Patient Engagement
Frank Fortner (@iatricFJF) will host the next #HIStalking tweet chat on Thursday, September 24 at 1pm ET. Check out discussion topics here.
Telemedicine
Community health center network Horizon Health Care (SD) plans to expand its telemedicine services thanks to a $292,000 Expanded Services Grant from HHS. Horizon was also named as one of the 160 recipients of the HHS $1 million Health Infrastructure Investment Program Grant, which it will use to renovate and expand its facility in Aberdeen.
Announcements and Implementations
FQHC Central Virginia Health Services implements the EClinicalWorks EHR for 70 physicians across 15 locations. CVHS joins the 54 percent of FQHCs across the US using the eCW tool.
Renaissance Health Network, a Pennsylvania-based IPA with over 70 locations, selects digital chronic care management tools from MD Revolution and WellTrackOne to better manage chronic and preventative care.
Boston-based Whoop launches a wearable wristband that goes beyond the more traditional metrics of a Fitbit or Jawbone. Geared towards elite athletes, the wristband measures skin conductivity and heart-rate variability, as well as how the athlete’s body recovers. The device, including analytics, doesn’t come cheap, clocking in at between $500 and $5,000 a year for individuals and upwards of $100,000 a year for teams. Whoop investors include Mike Mancias, a medical analytics advocate and the long-time personal trainer of LeBron James.
MDTool Box adds a certified real-time EPA module to the MDToolbox-Rx e-prescribing product.
AHIMA launches Code-Check, a coding question and resource service for members and non-members that will be available via ongoing subscription or one-time use starting October 12.
People
The New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute promotes Linda Schwimmer to president.
Government and Politics
Massachusetts Medical Society President Dennis Dimitri, MD testifies before the state’s Joint Committee on Health Care Financing in strong support of providing additional time for physicians to comply with a mandate requiring them to establish an interoperable EHR by 2017. “While physicians are much further along on interoperable records than many other professions, 2017 is not achievable for all of us and much less so for other providers,” Dimitri said during his testimony. “This date was arbitrary and aspirational when established and needs to be recalculated to a more reasonable goal, such as 2022.”
Research and Innovation
Austin Regional Clinic (TX) tests out Humm patient feedback technology as part of a three-month pilot program at three of its clinics. The Central Texas locations are trying out different feedback devices to determine which is the best fit for their patient populations – a standing kiosk in public areas, a tablet handed to patients at checkout, and a table-top tablet in each exam room. The pilot runs through the end of this month. ARC has already collected real-time feedback from 4,000 visits.
The local paper profiles Harrington Family Health Center (ME) and its use of tablets and medical-related apps, including a symptom checker, pill identifier, dosage calculator, and medical encyclopedias. The tablets, provided by nonprofit Health eVillages (founded by Physicians Interactive CEO Donato Tramuto), have proved helpful in caring for the rural area’s patients suffering from multiple chronic conditions. HFHC staff provide feedback to Health eVillages as to how they’re using the devices and what’s of most value. They eventually hope to tie the project to population health metrics.
Other
The local business paper dives into the year-long ICD-10 prep undertaken by Southeast Orthopedic Specialists (FL). The process, which CFO Scott Quinn says costs in the six figures, involved overhauling software, employee training, and making sure outside vendors were aware of the changes. “What really helps is communicating with every party involved in the revenue cycle,” Quinn says. “Making sure the front desk, billing, and third-party partners are all up to speed.”
The Annals of Improbable Research (distant cousin to the Nobel Prizes) award their annual Ig Nobel prizes for a variety of “comical scientific achievements.” Lauded research included the revelation that nearly all mammals take about 21 seconds to urinate, the ability to partially un-boil an egg with chemicals, and the mathematical determination of how a 17th century North African emperor fathered nearly 900 kids in just 30 years. The Ig Nobel medicine prize went to researchers who conducted “experiments” to study the biological effects of intense kissing, which include decreasing skin allergies.
Sponsor Updates
Aprima Medical Software will exhibit at the Colorado MGMA Fall Conference September 24-25 in Breckinridge.
Clockwise.MD CEO Mike Burke will speak at the Urgent Care Fall Conference September 24-26 in New Orleans.
The article about Pediatric Associates in CA has a nugget with a potentially outsized impact: the implication that VFC vaccines…