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Technology has the Potential to Disrupt Established Patterns of Care - NJEM
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center and Scripps Research Institute found that technology has the potential to disrupt established patterns of care and address continuing concerns regarding the distribution of providers. Telehealth technologies has great potential to expand the pure reach of healthcare in both remote areas around the world and a myriad of socio-economic statuses, according to an article in the New England Journal of Medicine. The report points to three trends in telehealth: shifting focus from greater convenience and lowering costs, continued expansion past addressing acute conditions, and the movement away from clinics to patient homes via mobile devices.
Patient Access of Medical Records Highest on Record
According to an American Hospital Association (AHA) report, the rate that patients are consuming electronic records has skyrocketed. Hospitals and providers are now providing more ways to complete routine tasks online. In the report, the AHA found 92 percent of respondent hospitals offer patients the ability to view medical records online, up 49 percent from the 43 percent in 2013.
Can EHR Data be Used for Research? - AMIA
Electronic Health Record (EHR) use in clinical research offers opportunities to facilitate medical research. The American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) filed comments on Monday with the Food and Drug Administration regarding the long road ahead for researchers before records can be included. “With more than 96 percent of U.S. hospitals and 83 percent of U.S. office-based physicians using EHRs to deliver clinical care, we have an unprecedented opportunity to utilize digitized healthcare data for supplemental uses, such as clinical investigations,” AMIA said in comments. AMIA cautions FDA on assuming EHRs are readily configurable for clinical investigations, “even among more advanced institutions.”
Population Health Scorecard Shows Geographical Divides in Quality
New data from the Commonwealth Fund found that there are striking differences in performance, outcomes, and affordability of basic services between geographic regions of the United States. Patients in the highest-performing areas of the country are up to 13 times more likely to experience satisfactory care than those at the lowest-performing areas. Commonwealth President David Blumenthal said in a statement, “Many communities are showing signs of getting healthier, and that is encouraging.”
Survey Finds Half of Physicians Have Never Heard of MACRA
A new survey from consulting firm Deloitte found that a full 50 percent of physicians have no knowledge that the Medicare payment system is changing. Deloitte’s Center for Health Solutions surveyed 600 physicians and found that many doctors had not heard of MACRA, despite the impact it will have on their practices. In the announcement, Deloitte found that “New incentives established by MACRA also will likely drive payment and delivery reform efforts across other payers. The law will allow clinicians to develop new care models and encourages new collaborations between plans and hospitals, but, according to the survey, nearly 8 in 10 physicians prefer traditional fee-for-service or salary as compensation.”
Physicians Have Yet to See EHR ROI
In their annual Technology Survey, Physicians Practice analyzed the responses of more than 1,500 physicians across the U.S. They found that 74 percent of respondents said they have not noticed a return on their investment in EHR systems. Less than half believe that use of EHR is actually reducing their patient volume. Seventy-eight percent of respondents indicate they use a mobile device to access EHRs. Finally, those responding to the report indicated that EHR use has improved documentation processes.
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Louisiana Health Agency Adopts Smoking Cessation App
Smoking cessation app, SmartQuit, is going to be free for many patients in Louisiana through a deal with the state health department. Through the department’s Well-Ahead program, the app will be made free to pregnant women and those in their households wishing to quit, according to a statement. The app was developed by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and been successfully tested in clinical trials that use an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approach to assist users in learning new ways to deal with cravings.
Patients Could Get Drug Scripts by Telehealth, if MI House Approves
Residents of the State of Michigan would be able to utilize telehealth services to fill prescriptions under a new proposal from the State Senate now before the House of Representatives. If the bill becomes law, healthcare professionals will be able to prescribe using telehealth technology, with the exception of controlled substances. SB 0753 passed the Senate 36-0, it now moves to the State House for approval.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, July 28, 2-3 pm ET, Council of Data Analytics Experts featuring Mark Segal, VP Government and Industry Affairs for GE Healthcare IT. Mark will discuss the importance of big data and analytics regarding the recent MACRA and MIPS legislation.
Wednesday, August 17, 2-3 pm ET, Advisory Board on Business and Clinical Motivators
Thursday, August 25, 2-3 pm ET, Council of Data Analytics Experts
Monday, September 12, 2-3 pm ET, Interoperability
Tuesday, September 27, 9 am- 4 pm ET, Executive Advisory Board of Privacy & Security
October 4-5, 2016, Innovation Showcase at House of Sweden in Washington, D.C.
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Updox Introduces Pharmacy Connect During Cardinal Health Retail Business Conference
eHI member, Updox, is introducing a new platform: Pharmacy Connect. Pharmacy Connect is a care coordination suite for pharmacists. The announcement was made during Cardinal Health’s 26th annual Retail Business Conference, recently held in Chicago. Pharmacy Connect offers retail and independent pharmacists a unique opportunity to enhance their ability to communicate and connect as the industry shifts to a value-based care model.
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Laura Crawford, M.I.S.
Advisor, Global Patient Outcomes and Real World Evidence
Eli Lilly and Company
To read the full article, please click here.
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CMS Acting Director Slavitt Suggests MACRA Could be Delayed Before Congress
CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt told lawmakers in testimony before the Senate Finance Committee that CMS is concerned that some smaller practices may not be ready for changes in reimbursement fallout from MACRA. Several medical groups, including the AMA, the AAFP, and MGMA have encouraged the idea of delaying MACRA. The effect on small practices seemed to be the primary concern for Senators. Slavitt suggests further encouragement of alternative payment models.
Senators Introduce Bill to Offer EHR Program Relief
Six Senators introduced legislation that aims to offer regulatory relief and flexibility for those using EHR systems, trying to meet obligations of the CMS Meaningful Use program. The authors of the EHR Regulatory Relief Act, S-3173 believe that regulatory flexibility is needed to assist users to focus on transitioning into the patient-focused payment policies created by Congress via MACRA. Senator Thune (SD-R), a co-sponsor of the bill, indicated that the Obama Administration is receptive to the bill and assisted in crafting it.
ONC Offers New Guidance Around Privacy and Security Not Covered by HIPAA
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) issued new guidance on devices and entities not covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. When HIPAA was passed, fitness trackers, social media, and mHealth in general were still years away and were not considered in the bill. To encourage adaptation in the marketplace, the ONC offers guidance. In a joint venture with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the ONC sent the Examining Oversight of the Privacy & Security of Health Data Collected by Entities Not Regulated by HIPAA report to Congress, which discusses the lack of guidance and serves as the first step toward regulation.
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mHealth Future Murky Due to Privacy and Security Concerns
One of the greatest disruptive technologies with the potential to shake up healthcare with both risks and benefits is mobile health. This premise is the consensus of witnesses and members of Congress appearing before the House Sub-commitee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade hearing. Currently, there are 165,000 mHealth apps available in various app marketplaces. The data generated by those mHealth apps indicates promise in correcting patient behavior to improve patient outcomes. Regarding privacy and security, mHealth apps generally are not connected with HIPAA-covered entities, indicated Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), ranking member of the subcommittee. A possible solution to privacy concerns is anonymizing data generated by the apps.
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IMS Health Addresses Business and Clinical Motivators Workgroup
This week, IMS Health’s Institute for Healthcare Informatics addressed eHI’s Advisory Board on Business and Clinical Motivators. They brought their unique perspective on the challenges and promise of mHealth in the future of healthcare. Of particular note was their emphasis that although there are over 165,000 applications on the market, only 17 percent of these actually target specific health conditions. For the slides from the presentation, please visit our website by clicking here.
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