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Use of Advanced EHR Can Lower Patient Costs
Advanced electronic health record use may lead to major patient savings, according to a study in the American Journal of Managed Care. In this study, the researchers defined advanced EHR use as meaningful use. The researchers identified 550 hospitals for the study, with 104 found to be advanced EHR users. On average, those found to be advanced users saw a drop in per patient cost to the tune of $731, or just over 9.5 percent, than those treated at other facilities.
Video Game Developer, Akili, Gets Further Funding from Pharma
Boston-based mobile games developer, Akili Interactive Labs, gained further funding from the venture capital arms of pharma companies Merck and Amgen. This merging of software and medicine is emphasized in their development of therapeutic devices and games known as Project: EVO. The product is designed to target a patient’s core neurological ability to process multiple information streams. The technology opens a path that may improve attention, working memory and executive function while simultaneously monitoring and screening for neurological and psych disorders. Akili also has partnerships with Pfizer and Shire Pharmaceuticals to develop the technology.
National Center for Policy Analysis Releases Report on MACRA
The National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) recently released a report detailing their concerns on the MACRA legislation and regulations. They state that the legislation imposes substantial burdens on clinicians by requiring them to follow federal regulations and to participate in specific APMs. NCPA Senior Fellow and Lead Author, John Graham, explains, “Future regulatory and legislative reforms must do both more and less than the currently proposed rule does.” He also touches on limitations in the MIPS program.
Essentia and Medica Join Forces to Launch ACO
Minnesota-based integrated health system, Essentia Health, and payer, Medica, are joining forces to launch an accountable care organization (ACO) within the Upper Midwest beginning November 1. Essentia and Medica plan to offer ACO enrollees same day primary care appointments, direct access to specialists without the need for a referral, online tools to track health information, a nurse patient navigator, and a single point of contact to call for questions about health plan benefits.
New Study Examines Alarm Fatigue
Alarm fatigue from clinical decision support platforms is a significant hazard in medicine. These platforms can emit excessive amounts of alarms, which are becoming so commonplace, and impact patient safety. In a study published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, researchers found that tailoring bedside monitor alarm limits using data-driven parameters may help reduce the frequency of false alarms, thus avoiding alarm fatigue. The study examined charts from a set of 7,202 patients.
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Mississippi Hospital Pays Multi-million Dollar Fine for Missing Laptop
Officials from the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) said in a statement that they have agreed to pay a $2.75 million dollar fine to the HHS Office for Civil Rights for the 2013 disappearance of a laptop computer that contained the healthcare information of up to 10,000 patients. OCR said that UMMC concluded that a visitor to the ICU probably stole the laptop after asking to borrow it. As the laptop could access the local wireless network, whoever absconded with the device could easily gain access to patient data. Officials made clear that there is no evidence for an actual breech. UMMC is required to report to OCR for three years, under the agreement.
Pharma and Healthcare Sectors Least Prepared for External Cyber Threats
In a new survey from Ponemon Institute and cybersecurity vendor, BrandProtect, only 16 percent of health and pharma organizations have formalized processes for monitoring the internet and social media regarding cyber threats. Additionally, 26 percent of respondents in the industry believe they have the tools and resources to understand these threats, 29 percent indicate they have abilities to mitigate the threats, and 34 percent think they can effectively monitor the threats. Five hundred ninety-one respondents were surveyed regarding external cyber threats. Six industries were interviewed: finance, health, manufacturing, public sector, services, and retail. The survey indicated that finance is most prepared and health, the least.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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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athenahealth Now Reimbursing Clients for MIPS-Related Payment Cuts
A new program from eHI member athenahealth emphasizes the idea that providers should not shoulder the responsibility for risk-based care alone. Vendors will also have to play a role. The company announced it will reimburse clients that face a downward payment adjustment under MIPS, a part of MACRA. Called The MIPS Guarantee, it ensures that those using athenaOne services will perform at or above the threshold set by CMS.
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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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Health and Human Services Awards $36M for HIT Adoption
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an additional $36 million for funding 50 health center-controlled networks nationwide. These networks bring together health centers to address operational and clinical challenges along the lines of implementation of HIT. Networks in 41 states and Puerto Rico will receive funding from this grant program. It will promote enhanced information sharing to support health centers in meeting the requirements of the EHR incentives offered, adapting technology-enabled quality improvement strategies, and participating in HIE.
CMS Plans to Test Value-Based Payment on Cardiac Care
Medicare payments previously bundled only to hip and knee replacements will now be applied to cardiac care for certain facilities. This plan is made possible by a demonstration program recently announced by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The proposal targets heart attack and bypass surgery procedures, making them eligible for payments under MACRA. HHS plans to pilot the program in 98 metro areas; participation for the selected is mandatory. Under the new system, hospitals are responsible for cost and quality of care during inpatient care up to 90 days’ post discharge.
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