by Laura Mitchell We have a huge frequent flyer problem in America. No- not a problem – a crisis. And I don’t mean the frequent flyers who get to skip ahead in lines and get free drinks, I mean the frequent flyers that cycle through our hospital emergency rooms, the discharged patients who get readmitted […]
The Visiting Nurse Associations of America has released a tool to help home health providers, policymakers and payers develop better, safer and smoother care transitions. The VNAA Blueprint for Excellence is available free at http://www.vnaablueprint.org. The VNAA describes the tool as a pathway to best practices for home health care providers and a touchstone […]
by Audrey Kinsella The title of this year’s 10th Annual Partners Healthcare Connected Health Symposium says it all about what everyone is saying should be emphasized in healthcare delivery today. “Collaborations and Innovations to Engage Patients and Elevate Care” will be held in Boston, Oct. 24-25 and will offer a range of cross-disciplinary speakers, […]
by Scott R. Herrmann There have been numerous articles that confirm that persons with chronic conditions who are actively involved in their own care and well being will regain their health more quickly than those who are not. Many senior citizens receiving home care live each day as it comes, letting the “professionals” make […]
by Audrey Kinsella Home healthcare clinicians have always prided themselves on being closer to their patients than other clinicians can be. They do not mean merely physically closer but speak of a personal closeness as well. They know pets’ names, favorite foods, and they know of the difficulties following directives regarding dietary needs, medication […]
Since January, an ‘S’ code has been available to identify, and possibly bill for, telehealth services. CMS created it but does not recognize it, of course, on Medicare claims. Nevertheless, its existence means home healthcare agencies are able to introduce it to other payers, such as Managed Care Organizations and state Medicaid offices. Details […]
Often considered a population “too old” for computer-based communication tools, seniors were recently found to become more engaged when using electronic Personal Health Records, resulting in improved clinical outcomes. A recent study conducted with the cooperation of Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Parkview Physicians Group Cardiology issued a pre-populated PHR to approximately 200 cardiac patients, most […]
Procura announced last week that they have entered into a strategic partnership with Tyze Personal Networks, providers of an online community care platform. The arrangement will provide Procura customers with a health information exchange (HIE) tool that centers on the patient, connecting associated family, friends, care givers and care professionals, and organizes support for […]
By Audrey Kinsella Patient engagement is an experience, an expectation and a goal. Persons with chronic conditions, especially in this era of accountable care, reach for the goal as they experience care at the hands of professionals, from whom they expect quality interactions. Patient engagement is a goal at the Center for Connected Health, […]
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society conference takes place amid growing pressure on the health care industry and the Obama administration to move forward with interoperability. But HIMSS Vice President for Informatics, Joyce Sensmeier, says the keys for sharing patient data among different IT systems, devices and platforms already exist. She was interviewed […]
