Health IT Issues that Deserve a Second Read – December 2023
One of the ways that Answers Media is different from other media sites is the sense of community. The thought leaders in our community are good about sharing their thoughts on the issues of today. We publish at least eight guest posts a week now, so in case you missed some, here are the top ten read and shared guest posts in the month of December. You can also read previous month’s Top Ten Lists. Thank you for contributing and reading.
Most Played Radio Episode in December
From Life-Centered Health Care, There are No More Swim Lanes. Continuing their conversation, bestselling author and health care executive Dr. Zeev Neuwirth joins Ann Somers Hogg to discuss how retail giants are playing water polo instead of staying in swim lanes, how venture capital groups are partnering with health systems to offer a launching pad for creating autonomous business units, and why provider organizations have to stop thinking of themselves solely as a producer of a service.
Most Read Thought Leader Posts in December
4 Ways to Win with Claims Denials
By Belinda Cridge, Vice President of Client Services & Krithika Srivats, Sr. Vice President, Clinical Practice and Products, Sagility
X: @SagilityHealth
Facing both revenue and expense issues and exasperated by clinician shortages, hospitals are increasingly noting denials in the danger zone. “Danger zone” translation: Denials are increasingly higher than 10%, costing significant dollars in lost or delayed reimbursements – as well as more overhead for rework and resubmitting claims. A recent Crowe RCA benchmarking analysis provided the industry-wide numbers: Claims denials rose to 11% of all claims last year, up nearly 8% from 2021. Continue reading…
The Evolution of the CMIO Role in Hospitals & Health Systems
By Angel Mena, MD, Chief Medical Officer, symplr
LinkedIn: Angel J. Mena, MD
X: @symplr
I recently participated in an industry panel of healthcare leaders where we discussed the evolution of the Chief Medical Information Officer. You might be wondering, what does the CMIO of a hospital or health system do? In the most simplistic terms, the CMIO’s primary role is to bridge the gap between clinicians and technology. Initially focused on electronic medical records (EMRs) implementation, CMIOs analyze data, develop new healthcare technology strategies, and ensure that medical information is accurate and accessible. Continue reading…
When Medical Thrillers Mirror Healthcare Injustices
By Dr. Nick van Terheyden aka Dr. Nick
LinkedIn: Nick van Terheyden, MD
X: @drnic1
One of Michael Crichton’s early successes was the movie “Coma” which came out in 1978. A movie based on the book of the same name by Robin Cook, MD. The book was his first break-out hit featuring corporate malfeasance and greed taken to extremes in a hospital to create a ready supply of donor organs. Michael Douglas starred in the movie. Robin Cook went on to write 40 more books and is still writing today with his two most recent novels Manner of Death and Viral which came out in 2021. Continue reading…
The Lock & Key of Healthcare: Encryption’s Role in Patient Privacy
By Art Gross, President and CEO, HIPAA Secure Now!
LinkedIn: Art Gross
X: @HIPAASecureNow
Back in the day, physical safeguards were all we had to protect patient files. In today’s world where most information is stored digitally, a filing cabinet and key can no longer do the trick. The utilization of data encryption stands as one of the most fundamental and effective methods to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive patient information. In this blog, we’ll delve into the significance of data encryption in healthcare, its role in maintaining HIPAA compliance, and how it serves as a powerful shield in keeping patient data safe from unauthorized access. Continue reading…
The Art of Connection: Takeaways from CHIME
By Olivia Schlabach, Associate Vice President, FINN Partners
LinkedIn: Olivia (Williams) Schlabach
X: @FINNPartners
Nestled among the thorny bristles of the towering cacti and the sprawling campuses of some of the country’s most reputable hospitals, a group of roughly 1,000 attendees ranging from CIOs to senior healthcare IT leaders gathered for CHIME’s annual Fall Forum November 9-12. Held at the scenic JW Marriot Desert Ridge Resort and Spa, participants came together for three days of networking, programming and education around some of the industry’s biggest challenges and opportunities. Continue reading…
Empowering Patients – The Power of Patient Portals
By Pramila Srinivasan, Ph.D., CEO, CharmHealth
LinkedIn: Pramila Srinivasan
X: @charmhealth
A shooting migraine at 11 p.m. makes Miss P wonder if she can make an appointment to see her doctor in the morning. Miss H needs to request her medication refill, and her physician’s office is closed. Miss R finally has time to pay her medical bills, but her biller has closed for the day. While these issues could exist in a medical system, a solution has emerged to solve the problems of Miss P, Miss H and Miss R — a well-designed patient health portal. Continue reading…
Healthcare Cybersecurity in 2024
By David Finn, Vice President, College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME)
LinkedIn: David (Samuel) Finn
X: @DavidSFinn
It is very difficult to talk about 2024 without starting from where we are ending 2023. We only need to go back to Thanksgiving to paint the picture of healthcare cybersecurity in 2023. Over Thanksgiving weekend, a single ransomware attack left 30 hospitals across 6 states without network services. This resulted in diversions and re-scheduling of non-emergency procedures – – not a lot to be Thankful for, for anyone. This attack was the latest in a series of attacks on healthcare organizations – – in a year of a record number of ransomware attacks in the sector. Continue reading…
When Did You Last Update Your Surgeon’s Preference Card? Digitized Cards Improve Patient Safety, Reduce Waste, and Improve Operational Efficiency
By Aileen Killen, Ph.D., RN, CPPS, Director of Perioperative Operational Excellence, LiveData
LinkedIn: Aileen Killen
X: @livedatainc
Maintaining a steady workflow is critical for surgeons and their patients. Preference cards are one of the most common tools to keep surgical teams organized and running smoothly. As a crucial tool that captures a surgeon’s specific needs and preferences for each surgical procedure, these cards typically outline the equipment, instruments, and supplies required for a particular procedure, providing a personalized roadmap for surgical teams to follow. By detailing these specifications, preference cards help streamline surgical planning, foster improved communication among the operating room (OR) staff, reduce waste, and ultimately enhance patient safety. Continue reading…
Physician APM Participation Is Like Eating Cauliflower
By David Burda, News Editor & Columnist, 4sight Health
LinkedIn: David R. Burda
X: @davidrburda
X: @4sighthealth_
My youngest child is a picky eater. He would say otherwise, but he is. He’s gone from eating zero of six pieces of cauliflower on his plate to now eating two of six pieces of cauliflower on his plate. That’s taken 20 years. Our goal is six of six by the time he’s 60. I’ll be 102, and I am determined to stick around that long if only to see him eat all his cauliflower. It’s a test of wills. Continue reading…
Six Risks of AI in Healthcare: A Short Primer
By Jim Tate, EMR Advocate
LinkedIn: Jim Tate
X: @jimtate, eMail: jimtate@emradvocate.com
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare has been a groundbreaking advancement, offering immense potential benefits like improved diagnostics, personalized medicine, and efficient patient care management. However, as with any significant technological shift, it’s essential to scrutinize the associated risks. To ensure AI can earn widespread trust, the associated risks must be identified and addressed. Continue reading…
