As the fervor toward EMR continues to grow and new systems are being developed to partake in this increasingly competitive market, the same key words are being tacked on to every sales pitch: “streamline your practice”, “easy-to-use”, “improve patient care”, and the list goes on and on. If you’re a decision maker in your practice, no doubt your inbox is flooded with EMR news day-in and day-out.

In trying to get the word out as effectively as possible, many companies have resorted to spouting out phrases instead of complete sentences. To engage providers with their company above all others is the ultimate goal and sometimes there’s only a few second window to do so.

We have broken down the top 5 key phrases to explain what they really mean and how you can use them to decide what’s best for your practice.

1. “Fully integrated”: Many systems comprise their packages by using third party components, like a third party lab interface or billing program. This option allows companies to save on the costs of developing their own programs, but it can cause problems for the end user, who might end up updating a different piece of the software every other week and lose out on time to complete their tasks. Therefore, “Fully integrated” is the best option for small to large practices because data will flow smoothly from one part of the system to the next.

2. “Real-time information”: Any system that offers “real-time” anything is basically saying that clinicians using their system are able to view up-to-date patient information and thereby make informed decisions related to care and safety. This includes instantaneous cross referencing of statistics, with the ability to place them in a flow chart, bar graph, or other graphical views.

3. “Interoperability”: This is the universal term for communicating between technologies. If a system claims that they are “interoperable” with other systems, they usually mean with all other HIPAA compliant technologies. Depending on the system, this can mean that it can communicate well with other EMRs, with devices such as EKG and CT scans, and even third-party billing software.

4. “Meaningful Use Certified”: If your practice is after CMS incentive payments, this is probably the first one you look for. All certification bodies have different requirements, however. If you’re not sure which group certified the EMR, don’t be shy to ask. In our opinion, CCHIT ® is the most thorough of all ONC certifiers.

5. “See more Patients”: This is probably the only one that attempts to speak the language of doctors. EMRs that promise to “streamline practice workflow” usually end up guaranteeing that the practice will also be able to see more patients. Simple features like a check-in kiosk, automated appointment reminders, and a patient portal all allow for the patient to take part in their own healthcare and alleviate a lot of burden from office staff. If administrative tasks are reduced or automated, patients can get in and get out faster.

In the end, don’t get caught up too much with the razzle dazzle of EMRs and all their nifty little phrases. A proven solution is a powerful mix of EMR/EHR, Practice Management, Document Management, Image Annotation, and an online Patient Portal. Simple is not always better, so don’t even look at an EMR that brands itself as “simple”.

If your practice is making the transition to EMR, here are five things to consider before you sign that proposal:

1. Can the system adapt to your data? Some interfaces may look pretty during a demonstration, but how will it handle the high volume traffic of your practice? The best systems offer “drill down” features for data that let you sort and organize what you want to see, when you want to see it.

2. Is it specific to your practice? If there’s something unique that your practice does every day (such as an allergy skin test or a diabetes follow-up), a powerful EMR will have a specific module for it.

3. Is the training and implementation strategy realistic? A good implementation program will include every member of your team as well as account for decreased volume throughout the process.

4. Does it offer live maintenance and support as well as online options? When it comes to spending your money wisely, choose a system that offers continuous, in-house live support as well as online options for maximum convenience.

5. Will patient data be protected? There’s a dark truth to some online EMRs: they sell de-identified patient data. Make sure to ask if your EMR is taking part in that.

Visit meditab.com for more information about what a truly powerful EMR can offer.

A new survey published in the JAMA Internal Medicine found that patients suffer when hospital physicians are overloaded, and up to 98,000 patients die every year in the hospital as a result of preventable medical errors.

In November 2010 the researchers from Johns Hopkins surveyed 890 self-identified hospitals that use QuantiaMD.com, an online physician network.  The physicians reported they could safely see 15 patients per shift, however 40% of physician surveyed said their patient load exceeded that number at least once a month.  More disturbing, 36% of physicians said their patient load exceeded safe levels every week.

The survey results further found:

• 25% reported being unable to satisfactorily discuss treatment options or answer patient/family member questions
• 22% of physicians reported delayed admissions and discharges
• 22% reported ordering unnecessary tests and procedures
• 19% reported reduced patient satisfaction
• 14% reported increased readmissions
• 12% reported worsened overall quality of care
• 7% made a treatment or medication error
• 7% reported morbidity or complications
• 5% reported mortality

Lack of universal work-hour regulations coupled with physician shortages is most certainly behind the issues, and patients ultimately pay the price, unfortunately.  The world of healthcare is currently undergoing a major transition in terms of adoption and integration of technology to improve healthcare practices and patient care, which may aid in resolving some of the issues found in the survey.

Meditab has developed an innovative suite of practice management solutions including comprehensive electronic health records software.  For more information about our products, click here.

The expansion of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 is comprised of four rules that create the omnibus final rule. The rules, as per the Department of Health and Human Services, are summarized below:

• Modifications to the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Enforcement Rules mandated by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, and certain other modifications to improve the rules.
• Changes to the HIPAA Enforcement Rule to incorporate the increased and tiered civil money penalty structure provided by the HITECH Act.
• A final rule on Breach Notification for Unsecured Protected Health Information under the HITECH Act, which replaces the breach notification rule”s “harm” threshold with a more objective standard.
• A final rule modifying the HIPAA Privacy Rule as required by the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) to prohibit most health plans from using or disclosing genetic information for underwriting purposes.

Under the expanded HIPPA rule, patients now have the right to receive their healthcare data on-demand and to request that the data be sent to other doctors, caregivers, or to an online personal health record or mobile application.

This presents a challenge for healthcare professionals, since patient privacy has long been a major concern yet the new rule will require expanded sharing of patient data.   Marcy Wilder, director of the global privacy and information management practice for Hogan Lovels, a Washington, D.C.-based law firm told FierceHealth IT in an interview -

“On the one hand, I think it”s true that both ”protect” and ”share” messages are being sent.  But I think it should be looked at more as ”protect the privacy of the data and share the data, as appropriate, to improve healthcare.” There is certainly a tension and a balance that needs to be struck, and these regulations attempt to strike that balance.”

Medical professionals face an ever-changing healthcare landscape, of which electronic health records are an integral part.  EHRs allow for easier documentation and secure transfer of patient information in a way never before known.  Meditab Software, Inc. has developed highly-functional EHR software with the input of industry experts to help bring physician practices to a new level of care.  To learn more about our technology and support, click here.

For more information on this topic, please visit -

http://www.fiercehealthit.com/story/data-tracking-sharing-key-cutting-improper-ed-use/2013-01-29

Houston-based attorney Rachel V. Rose highlighted several issues physicians should know about in the coming year, as reported on physicianspractice.com.  The issues concern HIPPA and the HITECH Act, quality of care and readmission rates, recovery audits, the fiscal cliff bill and the oral arguments between the Secretary of Health and Human Services and Auburn Regional Medical Center.

HIPAA and the HITECH Act

Rose urges physicians to understand not only the provisions in the laws but also the Privacy, Security and Breach Notification Rules, especially in light of the HIPAA breach settlement in which a $50,000 fine was assessed against Hospice of North Idaho.  She further warns that violations and settlements can be based on technical violations in additional to actual breaches.

Quality of Care and Readmission Rates

Rose points out the government’s initiative to shift away from quantity-based payments to quality-based payments and said it’s important that physicians strive to adhere to high standards of care and patient satisfaction.  Reimbursements for certain conditions with high readmission rates may also be dependent on meeting quality standards, she pointed out.

Recovery Audits

Recovery Auditor overpayment identification has increased significantly between 2010 and 2012. Rose encourages physicians to take note of the following for the RA program:

• Reviews can either be automated (by computer) or complex (reviewed in person)
• The number of medical record requests for auditors was changed by CMS in March 2012
• In August 2012, adoption of the pre-review program and establishment of a website that runs through December 2014 were unveiled
• Providers should be as vigilant when documenting patients’ conditions in their offices as they are at the hospital, as Evaluation & Management Code 99215 will be audited in 15 states

Fiscal Cliff Bill Contractor Provision

Medicare contractors have five years to collect overpayments from hospitals and physicians estimated at nearly $500 million as a result of a subtle provision in the fiscal cliff bill signed by President Obama in early January.

Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, v. Auburn Regional Medical Center, et al.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in early January 2013 on whether a provider has a right to file an appeal after the deadline due to the federal government furnishing incorrect payment information in early January 2014.  The issue as it pertains to healthcare is whether the concept applies to a health provider’s ability to appeal a claim after the 180-day deadline.

Major changes are happening in healthcare as a result of the HITECH Act and other influences, forever changing the industry’s landscape.  A large part of the changes involve increased adoption of electronic health records, practice management software and increased patient involvement in care, all of which are changing the way providers do business and care for patients.

Meditab has developed an advanced suite of medical software designed with the input of industry professionals.  For more information about our programs, visit our website.

Researchers from the Johns Hopkins University say hospitals can reduce readmission of psychiatric patients by keeping psychiatric records within patients’ electronic health records (EHRs), according to a study published online in the International Journal of Medical Informatics.  

The researchers surveyed the methods of psychiatric record storage and accessibility for 18 top hospitals across the nation.  They found that types of storage and accessibility of psychiatric records were relevant to patient care outcomes, and, ultimately, that having access to electronic records as well as greater access to psychiatric records correlated with lower readmission rates for patients.

Of the hospitals surveyed, 44 percent maintained most or all of their psychiatric records electronically, and 28 percent made psychiatric records accessible to non-psychiatric physicians. Only 22 percent both maintained most or all of their psychiatric records electronically and made psychiatric records available to non-psychiatric physicians.

Psychiatric patients were less likely to be readmitted to the hospital within one month at hospitals where psychiatric records were accessible to non-psychiatric physicians.  Additionally, where psychiatric records were both stored electronically and made accessible non-electronically, the 7, 14, and 30-day readmission rates were significantly lower than at hospitals where records were either not electronic or not accessible.

The researchers’ findings indicate that psychiatric patients may be better served when their information is more accessible to hospital staff via electronic health records.  EHRs are changing the healthcare landscape, improving patient care and streamlining processes.  Meditab has developed a suite of products to with the input of industry professionals to help medical practices move to the next level.  To view a complete list of products, click here.

New technology is allowing researchers to obtain the sequence of all 22,000 human genes and has led to the discovery of numerous genes associated with autism spectrum disorder, according to an article published in the journal Neuron.

The new technology, called high-throughput sequencing, is revealing that the genetic makeup of autism is more complicated than previously thought, and that there are potentially hundreds of mutations linked to autism, according to lead author Joseph D. Buxbaum, director of the Seaver Autism Center at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

“By identifying the many genetic roots of this disorder, we can better understand its biology, which in turn will allow us to develop more tailored treatments for individuals. It is a transformative time for genetic research in autism,” said Buxbaum in the announcement.

Some key discoveries detailed in the paper were a “staggering degree of heterogeneity in autism,” an increasing number of genes and chromosomal intervals conferring risk, and the important role of mutations developed in the ovaries or sperm of parents of autistic children.

Combing DNA with electronic health record (EHR) data could offer a powerful tool in better understanding autism—the power of EHR data combined with DNA has been demonstrated in a series of studies conducted by researchers from Kaiser Permanente of Northern California and the Institute of Human Genetics.  As the new high-throughput sequencing technology continues to reveal more about autism, researchers may eventually use EHR data to better identify and treat autism.

Meditab utilizes the knowledge of industry experts and the latest technology in the development of EHR and practice management software and tailors solutions to meet the needs of industry professionals. To learn more about our products, visit our website.

Citing natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy as driving forces, Congressman Brian Higgins advocated for increased adoption of electronic medical records to protect patient data at a meeting of the House of Representatives in mid-December.

“Mr. Speaker, there are many lessons to be learned in the wake of the hurricane that devastated parts of New York and New Jersey.  One of which is the importance of electronic medical records and health information technology,” said Higgins at the meeting.

In a blog post last year Meditab underscored the Congressman’s position, noting how the diligent planning of NYU Langone Medical Center led to the preservation of electronic health records through backing up the data on an offsite server.  Other medical facilities in the area shared their data with the State Health Information Exchange of New York and were also able to protect patient data.

The Congressman supports the HITECH Act and cited several examples on his website of how Health IT is improving health care and boosting economic growth in western New York, including the participation of the U.S. Veterans Administration in the Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record (VLER) Health Communities Program, which connects VA physicians, private practices and hospitals to enable better access to critical health information. The Congressman also cited the $15 million partnership of Dell computers with UB to improve the supercomputer facility at the Medical Campus and enhance the research capabilities of academics and entrepreneurs in Health IT.

Higgins said during the meeting, “While many hospitals and medical centers were devastated by the storm, hospitals that employed electronic medical records were able to ensure that vital health information was maintained and not lost. Not only that, but electronic medical records enabled continuity of care as patients were transferred between hospitals.” He went on to say that Hurricane Sandy is just one example of how EHRs improve patient care.

The use of EHRs, which can be backed up offsite as well as transferred via health information exchanges, is the key to protecting patient information during natural disasters. Don’t delay in adopting an EHR system, especially while the incentive programs offered by CMS are still available.   Meditab has developed innovative EHR and practice management software and an innovative patient care portal, among other transformative software.  For more information about our products, visit our website.

Did you know that 2013 marks our 15th anniversary?  We are very excited and want to share with you three of the top 15 reasons you should choose Meditab as your EHR vendor.  We will continue to share more reasons here…and if you”re already a client, let us know your top reason for choosing us!

#1  15-year industry vet and expert solution provider.

#2  We’re not the new kids on the block – we’re established, financially secure and in it for the long haul.  We’re corporately sound, but small enough to offer personalized attention and service.

#3  100% in-built software, designed, developed and delivered by us for you.