Medical Billing Blog: Section - Medical Data
Archive of all Articles in the Medical Data Section
This is the archive containing links to all articles written in the Medical Data section of our blog.
Click any of the article links below to read the entire article or browse another section to the right to read articles on another subject.
Tips for Running Your Medical Practice during the Coronavirus Crisis
“At one large practice in Bergen County, New Jersey, the waiting room is empty — but its patients are still receiving care. As of mid-March, the practice is still operating, thanks to the group’s willingness to adapt its work flow, sometimes radically, to mitigate the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, patients now call the receptionist from their vehicles when they arrive, and wait there until receiving a call back telling them the clinician is ready. The practice has also started using telemedicine for the first time, to the extent it can be adopted in a hurry, and some clinicians are working from home on tasks such as medication …
HHS Finalizes Strategies to Combat EHR Clinician Burden
“Divisions of HHS worked together to develop strategies for addressing the four main causes of clinician burden stemming from EHR use. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a set of strategies, Strategy on Reducing Regulatory and Administrative Burden Relating to the Use of Health IT and EHRs, aimed at combating health IT-related burdens on healthcare providers. The report fulfills a provision in the 21st Century Cures Act requiring HHS, the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to produce a report for Congress on the strategies and recommendations to aid this overwhelming epidemic. Clinician burden is primarily linked to …
EHR Usability Issues Increase After Implementation and Optimization
“Most believe EHR usability issues happen at implementation. However, the majority of EHR usability problems occur after implementation when the EHR is continuously optimized, according to a study published in the BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making. “Implementation of the EHR is not limited to a single event in time,” wrote the researchers. “Rather, the technology changes when newer features are added, or interfaces are redesigned. These upgrades may improve functionality, but they also require physicians to adapt to changes beyond the initial implementation.” “Users are required to continually learn how to use the newer system and then to incorporate these upgrades into their clinical workflow, often with negative work …
3 EHR Usability and Optimization Fixes That Address Burnout
“There are many positives associated with EHRs. However, EHR usability is a common negative among EHR users, which leads to clinician burnout. As the calendar flips to 2020, technological advancements in the EHR are key to addressing this epidemic that makes its way around medical facilities throughout the country. According to a study completed in a partnership between the Mayo Clinic and the American Medical Association (AMA), researchers found that EHR usability was largely graded an “F” when evaluated on a traditional letter grade scale, and that failing grade was strongly tied to high clinician burnout scores. “A new study issued today found electronic medical records (EHRs) – as currently …
Cerner’s Learning Health Network to Boost EHR Data Insights
“Cerner recently announced the development of the Cerner Learning Health Network, which is designed to help clinicians more easily use EHR data insights to guide better-informed care. The tool will automate data collection from EHR systems and other sources to give medical researchers access to information that may improve care delivery. Cerner will partner with the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI) to pilot the program and improve clinical research registries. The Learning Registry pilot program at DCRI will leverage Cerner Learning Health Network to evaluate proven therapies for chronic cardiovascular disease. Together, Cerner and DCRI hope to use data and intelligence to give clinicians access to insights on chronic cardiovascular …
9 Ways to Improve Health IT Interoperability and Patient Data Access
“The Healthcare Leadership Council (HLC) and the Bipartisan Policy Center recently issued a report outlining nine ways the public and private sector can work together to advance health IT interoperability and improve patient data access. Many recommendations included in the report align with newly-released proposed rules from CMS and ONC intended to crack down on information blocking. The report incorporates feedback from more than 100 clinicians and healthcare leaders from hospitals, health systems, health plans, life sciences organizations, health IT companies, and patients gathered in a year-long effort. The report aims to streamline the flow of health information across health IT systems and care settings. “Critical patient information is getting …
61% of Physicians Say EHR Systems Reduce Clinical Efficiency
“EHR systems continue to fall short of provider expectations and detract from the joys of practicing medicine, according to a recent national survey by The Doctors Company. More than 3,400 physicians from 49 states and the District of Columbia offered their perspective on EHR technology, federal regulations, value-based care, patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs), and other aspects of the healthcare system. Survey respondents included surgical specialists, primary care providers, and nonsurgical specialists. The majority of respondents were 51 and older. Overall, the majority of surveyed physicians reported that EHR systems have had a negative impact on the patient-provider relationship, clinical workflows, and clinical productivity. Fifty-four percent of surveyed physicians stated their …
Patients Cannot File HIPAA Lawsuits
A U.S. district court judge in Washington, D.C., on June 15 dismissed a case by a patient who alleged Laboratory Corporation of America, or LabCorp, violated HIPAA, reaffirming the precedent that individual patients cannot file lawsuits for alleged HIPAA violations, according to GovInfoSecurity. Here are five things to know about the case: 1. The district court’s ruling dismissed a lawsuit filed by a patient of Washington, D.C.-based Providence Hospital. According to the lawsuit, the patient underwent laboratory testing from LabCorp during a June 2017 hospital visit. During the visit, the former patient said she was instructed to submit medical information at a computer intake station that was allegedly within eyesight …
Harnessing Effective EHR Use for Improved Patient Care
Improving EHR use can help reduce physician burnout and strengthen the patient care process. When healthcare providers understand how to best leverage new technologies and are able to adopt and implement an integrated EHR system, both patients and providers will benefit. That has been Kaiser Permanente’s top goal with its EHR safety net programs, looking to reduce errors in the diagnostic process. Kaiser Permanente has developed a total 54 EHR safety net programs, which are collectively called KP SureNet. The programs have helped to close major care gaps over the past few years. Michael Kanter, MD, Medical Director, Quality and Clinical Analysis, Southern California Permanente Medical Group explained to EHRIntelligence.com …
3 Key Tips for Ensuring a Smooth EHR Replacement
Physician and nursing dissatisfaction with an EHR system could lead to long-lasting problems within a healthcare organization, such as fueling administrative burnout and patient engagement. Opting for an EHR replacement is not a decision that should be made lightly, and organizations often look toward new options when they begin to encounter certain issues, both technical and cultural. A smooth EHR replacement process is not always guaranteed, and organizations will need to make well-informed decisions throughout the entire implementation process. Each healthcare organization is different, and will have varying requirements when it comes to EHR selection. But considering the needs of physician and nurses, finding an EHR system to meet an …
