Posts Tagged HIT
Interoperability designated major component of “meaningful use”
Posted by Jim Denny in ARRA/Stimulus, Interoperability on January 5th, 2010
We now have our first look at the official shape “meaningful use” of electronic health record (EHR) technology will likely take – in the near future, at least. As many had anticipated, one of the principal underlying themes is interoperability.
The long-anticipated proposed rule defining meaningful use finally was released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Dec. 30. On the same day, we also received the interim final rule setting initial EHR technology standards, implementation specifications and certification criteria from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). You can view draft copies of both rules at www.federalregister.gov/inspection.aspx.
As it turns out, CMS will define meaningful use objectives in three distinct stages. Providers who meet the criteria in each of the three stages may be eligible for thousands of dollars in incentive bonuses through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). In this proposal, however, CMS has only defined the requirements for Stage 1, which focuses on:
The difference between interoperability and integration
Posted by Ken Bradley in Health Information Technology, Integration, Interoperability on November 23rd, 2009
“What’s so hard about interoperability, anyway? Lots of hospitals and physician practices already have integrated practice management (PM) and electronic medical record (EMR) systems…” That’s the kind of comment heard quite often in this business, from all manner of intelligent, informed professionals.
Unfortunately, an important matter of semantics sometimes unwittingly leads us to heated debate or a dismissive, “They don’t know what they’re talking about!” attitude. It’s imperative to be aware that discussions of “interoperability” and “integration” can easily leave people talking apples and oranges without ever knowing it.
Here’s the reason: People from so many disparate backgrounds – technological, clinical, business, regulatory, governmental – all play a role in the current push to better automate healthcare. Everyone understands the generalities behind the idea of one HIT system “talking” to another, but most folks have no need to delve into nitty-gritty technical specifics. As a result, “interoperability” and “integration” have become broad-brush terms many of us use synonymously as a way to express the general concept of data connectivity. Read the rest of this entry »
Evaluating an EMR? Use the opportunity to assess your overarching technology solution
Posted by Jim Denny in EMR, Infrastructure, Practice Management System on November 20th, 2009
The prospect of obtaining stimulus funding has, not surprisingly, created an environment of intense focus on EMRs. While that’s OK, I see a distinct limitation in looking at EMRs, practice management systems (PMS) and other applications as isolated pieces of hardware/software. Instead, I think the current atmosphere provides many practices the opportunity to step into completely new systems, with a completely new way of viewing the components.
Rather than contemplating an EMR purchase or PMS evaluation in the context of “what’s available,” consider how well these technologies will serve as your platform from which to custom-build, taking into account future needs as well as current.
It is similar to when, as a teenager, I went to buy my first stereo system. I saved up, went to the store, and there they helped me design my own system to suit my listening style. Two speakers or four? Turntable or tape player? Headphones? The stereo store catered to my taste, my music, my needs – and I ended up with a system that was perfect for me. Read the rest of this entry »
Collaborative partnerships vital for smooth conversion of HIPAA standards
Posted by Ken Bradley in ICD-10 on October 26th, 2009
A seamless transition. That’s the goal we all seek in the colossal dual conversion of our HIPAA 4010 X12 files to the new 5010 standard, and the ICD-9 to ICD-10 code sets. Somehow, with a tight timeline and crunched budgets, we must simultaneously pull off two technically challenging migrations – and do it all with minimal disruption to business operations. The task, at times, feels overwhelming.
As you research your options, however, I’d suggest that one important place to begin is with a candid assessment of your organizational partnerships. The Herculean effort needed to successfully transition these two critical data sets at the same time will require close collaboration with trustworthy and responsive partners, each working within a well-defined area of expertise.
Consider the ways you can leverage current business relationships to accomplish the task at hand. Obviously, you best understand your business processes. HIT vendors, by contrast, may be better suited to navigate the technological waters. We don’t each need to reinvent the wheel; we need to work together.
The changeover to the HIPAA 5010 electronic transaction standard must be completed by January 2012. The move to the ICD-10 code set must be accomplished by October 2013. With precious little room for waste – of time or resources – practices must augment their internal strengths with the strengths outside vendors can provide. Read the rest of this entry »
Medical automation benefits practice operations and revenue management, as well as care delivery
Posted by Fred Christian in Medical Automation, Revenue Cycle Management on September 23rd, 2009
Human beings continually search for better, easier ways to get things done – in the field of healthcare and elsewhere. We’ve been advancing the concept of medical technology since the first x-ray was recognized as a useful diagnostic tool. From the simple electronic blood pressure cuffs now found in almost any grocery store to complex robotic arms used by skilled surgeons, we continue to see an explosion in medical automation.
And the upsurge isn’t limited to clinically-focused technology. It also encompasses software and systems that streamline front- and back-end operations, improving both patient flow and revenue cycle management.
A recent article in Healthcare Finance News, in fact, drove home the importance technology plays throughout the value chain. The report states that the medical automation technology market – today worth $13.1 billion – is forecast to grow 77% to $23.2 billion in just five short years. Read the rest of this entry »
The times they are a’changing
Posted by Jim Denny in ARRA/Stimulus, EMR, Health Information Technology, Practice Management System, Revenue Cycle Management on August 25th, 2009
There is no way Bob Dylan could have been thinking about HIT when he released his 1964 album predicting a new vision for America. Yet his words seem remarkably appropriate as healthcare leaders from coast to coast wonder how best to prepare themselves for the game-changing technology initiatives that loom on the horizon.
The passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in February 2009 created unprecedented interest in electronic medical records – and with good reason. The legislation promises incentives for providers implementing an EMR system within the next few years and penalties against slow adopters shortly thereafter. Physicians have naturally begun worrying about how to select the “right” system – and how they would pay for it. HIT vendors added to the frenzy by intensifying marketing efforts in order to grab a piece of the EMR pie sooner rather than later.
But amidst the noise and confusion of early reactions to the ARRA, both healthcare and technology leaders may have overlooked the overarching objective behind the push for EMRs: To increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the healthcare system. This is an opportunity to improve clinical outcomes while reducing cost to all stakeholders, including patients. Read the rest of this entry »