Recently, an interoperability summit was organized to discuss a big technical challenge: how to improve safety and connectivity for the vast array of medical and information technology that exists in the healthcare industry today. It is a concern which most practices, healthcare centers and hospital networks are struggling to handle. The question arises, why interoperability now, when there Read more…
The valuable asset you already have: Your EHR data
A recent survey by Accenture reveals that the adoption of Electronic Health Record (EHR) software and Health Information System (HIE) is rising in the United States. Despite the fact that most doctors agree that implementing an EHR system does not reduce their operational costs, they are embracing the technology because it helps them make better Read more…
ICD-9 to ICD-10: Your sacrifices and rewards
One of the major areas of concern for practices and providers these days, is the shift from ICD-9 codes to ICD-10 codes. This change, being managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), has an implementation deadline of October 1, 2014. With less than a year to go before ICD-10 takes over, practices and physicians Read more…
The opportunity cost of a cheap EHR
The biggest selling points of many Electronic Health Record (EHR) software vendors, are improved patient experiences, increase in revenues, efficient workflows and the like. But investing in an EHR software, even if it is not an expensive one, can sometimes be quite taxing on small and medium sized practices with a small number of providers. So Read more…
What does PCMH have to do with ACOs?
Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) can be defined broadly as groups of doctors, nurses, physicians and support staff who work together on profit sharing basis in order to improve quality of care delivered to Medicare patients. The overall goal of the ACO model is to reduce costs through improved preventive care and disease management. It aims Read more…
Which is the ideal Practice Management software?
Listen to this For something to be ideal, the systems should be in line. Providers have this preconceived notion about using Practice Management software for their day to day workflow, that their PMS will snail down the system. This is an invalid assumption because an efficient PMS will never make the system sluggish for the Read more…
Successfully Transition to a New EHR
Replacing an Electronic Health Record (EHR) software is a complex and time consuming process. One needs to manage the entire process starting with determining the exact requirements of your practice, to making sure that the new system does not give you more headaches. Change is never easy and most of the time, employees are apprehensive Read more…
Patient-Centric EHR Data: 4 Essential Characteristics
Over the last decade or so, Government investment in the healthcare sector has enabled more doctors and hospitals to shift to Electronic Health Records (EHRs) software, but it still remains a tough challenge. Many clinicians do not have access to usable data for a specific patient. Interoperability, the true objective of an EHR, can only Read more…
The Impact of Accountable Care Organizations on Healthcare
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) describe Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) as groups of doctors, physicians, nurses, support staff, hospitals and healthcare centers that voluntarily work together to benefit Medicare patients. ACOs are formed to provide timely and quality healthcare services to people who are aged 65 and above, and who are suffering Read more…
5 ICD-10 tips from large-scale practices
The deadline for implementation of ICD-10 codes is less than a year away. Healthcare practices are gearing themselves up for the change. However, while small and medium practices are still struggling to move to the new system, large healthcare practices and hospitals fully equipped with state-of-the-art technologies are already using the new system. They are Read more…