EHR Incentive Progam Update....

CMS is Holding a Second Webinar on the CQMs and the EHR Incentive Programs for Small-Practice Providers

Overview
     What: Webinar- The CMS EHR Incentive Programs: Small-Practice Providers and Clinical Quality      Measures (CQMs)
     When: October 25 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. EDT       
     Why: To help small-practice providers successfully report CQMs       
     How: Register online   
   
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is holding a second webinar on CQMs and their importance in attesting to meaningful use for the EHR Incentive Programs. CMS hopes to help small-practice and rural providers become more knowledgeable in the topics below:     
An overview of the CQMs     
   
How to report CQMs during attestation   
     
Why CQMs are included in the EHR Incentive Programs         
Answers to many FAQs on the CQMs and the EHR Incentive Programs         
Although, small-practice providers are the intended audience of this webinar, anyone is welcome to join.
The webinar presentation, a document with over 300 questions and answers from the webinar held on August 30, and an informational CQM fact sheet will be provided to participants before the webinar as downloadable handouts.
     
Additionally, registrants will be given an opportunity to submit questions through the registration site before the webinar that will be answered by CMS subject matter experts and posted to the CMS EHR website a few weeks after the webinar has been completed.
    
Registration

Individuals can register online for the webinar. After successfully registering, they will be sent a confirmation message with a link to the webinar site. Space is limited, so interested participants should register now to secure their place.
      
Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs?       

Make sure to visit the CMS EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.

EHR Incentive News.....

Updated Message on Important Information on Registration for the EHR Incentive Programs

This message is an updated  version of the registration listserv message that was sent by CMS on   October 4. This version of the message provides updated language to help  providers understand the difference in registration and attestation dates for  the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. 

CMS wants to remind eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals,  and critical access hospitals (CAHs) of the key registration and attestation  dates for the EHR Incentive Programs, and provide information to help them  successfully register and start their path to payment for 2011. 

Important Registration Details for Medicare and Medicaid 

Medicare - November 30, 2011, is the  last day for Medicare eligible hospitals and CAHs to register and attest to  receive an incentive payment for Federal fiscal year 2011.

Medicare - February 29, 2012, is  the last day for Medicare EPs to register and attest to receive an incentive  payment for calendar year 2011.

Medicaid - Each state may have different attestation deadlines. Please check with  your State Medicaid  agency to find out the last day you can attest. 

When Should Providers Register?

  CMS encourages providers to register for the Medicare and/or Medicaid EHR  Incentive Program(s) as soon as possible to avoid payment delays. Please note  that not all states have launched a Medicaid EHR Incentive Program yet. EPs  will not be able to complete their registration for the Medicaid EHR Incentive  Program until their state's program has launched and that state's site has  opened. Eligible professionals should check their state's status.

Note: Providers can  register before they have a certified EHR and can also register if they do not  have an enrollment record in PECOS.

Registration Resources

  CMS has a number of resources to help providers successfully register  for the EHR Incentive Programs:

Step-by-step registration guides, available on  CMS' Registration  page.

A number of FAQs  about registration on the EHR Incentive  Programs website.

Webinars on YouTube to help guide providers  through the registration .process– one for EPs, and one  for hospitals.

Want more information about the  EHR Incentive Programs?

Make sure to  visit the EHR Incentive  Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive  Programs.

ePrescribing....

Published on Healthcare IT News (http://www.healthcareitnews.com/)

Home > Successful eRx requires 'three-phased approach'

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Successful eRx requires 'three-phased approach'

By Molly Merrill, Associate Editor

Created 10/06/2011

 

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – A new study profiling how five physician practices successfully overcame their e-prescribing challenges has determined that the common thread among them was that each had carefully moved through three phrases: planning, implementation and use of the systems.
The research was led by Jesse Crosson at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and identified key techniques in the implementation and use of electronic prescribing.
"ARRA gives physicians an incentive to move toward electronic health records. More important, successful e-prescribing can increase medication safety for patients," said Crosson, an assistant professor in the department of Family Medicine and Community Health’s research division and principal investigator of the study. “E-prescribing also allows physicians to discuss medication options and the costs of drugs with patients at the point-of-care, having the potential to reduce healthcare costs and increase a patient’s compliance with the recommended treatment.”
Crosson’s research team looked at five practices of different sizes and organizational structures and how they planned, implemented and used the new systems.
The planning phase provided a review of workflow within the practice, established standard operating procedures and was inclusive to all team members, including those outside of the office such as local pharmacists.
Implementing e-prescribing required ongoing, easily accessible technical support that provided real-time solutions, training of all staff members in both hardware and software systems, and the training of “super users” who could provide support following the implementation, when IT personnel may not always be readily available.
“Creation of super users within the physician practices was an essential component for successful e-prescribing,” said Crosson. “They bridged the role between the staff and IT, preventing frustration and possible interruptions to workflow.”
Use of the systems presented challenges that successful practices needed to continually address. Some challenges were within the systems, such as the need to create shortcuts or templates to establish a more efficient process. But for many practices the biggest obstacle to overcome was the need to redesign procedures when exchange of information with patients' electronic health records, pharmacies or databases containing drug information wasn’t possible.
The lessons learned from the study resulted in key recommendations that practices wishing to implement -- and successfully maintain -- e-prescribing should consider:

• A practice should have a leader who will advocate the benefits of e-prescribing within the process of delivering clinical care to patients.
• Develop strategies to communicate with and include patients and pharmacies in the process.
• Have readily accessible technical support, particularly during implementation, to reduce user frustration.
• Be flexible and willing to transform traditional work processes of all staff members to effectively incorporate e-prescribing.

In one of two editorials that accompanied the published study, Carlos Roberto Jaen, MD, of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, wrote that "the article by Crosson et al provides us with lessons learned from the successful implementation of electronic prescribing in five diverse exemplary practices. These lessons share a common pathway for success:

1. extensive efforts to redesign workflow with a deep understanding of the function that they are trying to deliver
2. willingness and sufficient trust to design protocols to allow non-clinician members of the team to safely deliver prescription-related work,
3. physician champions,
4. ongoing training for team members,
5. readily available technical support,
6. targeted communication to stakeholders outside the practice (patients and pharmacists), and
7. a commitment to continuing improvement.

Each of these steps requires substantial transformation of the mental models and processes that are often present in primary care practices."
The study “Meaningful Use of Electronic Prescribing in 5 Exemplar Primary Care Practices,” appeared in the September 2011 issue of the Annals of Family Medicine and can be found here.

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Source URL: http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/successful-erx-requires-three-phased-approach

Links:
[1] http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/e-prescribing-emerges-hot-issue
[2] http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/e-prescribing-guide-clinicians-aims-aid-adoption
[3] http://www.annfammed.org/cgi/content/abstract/9/5/392.

Local Company to Showcase in Dusseldorf, Germany

Published on Healthcare IT News (http://www.healthcareitnews.com/)

Home > Welch Allyn to showcase high-performance healthcare technology

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Welch Allyn to showcase high-performance healthcare technology

By Industry News Release

Created 10/10/2011

 

SKANEATELES FALLS, N.Y. – Welch Allyn, a leading global provider of medical diagnostic devices headquartered in Skaneateles Falls, NY, will showcase its newest generation of connected solutions designed to address the needs of busy medical practices next month at the 2011 Medica International Trade Fair and Congress in Dusseldorf, Germany. Designed to swiftly gather accurate patient data and transmit it to an electronic medical record (EMR), the new platform-based devices will be on display in hall 9, booth E15.

“The solutions we will feature next month at Medica allow providers to quickly and efficiently collect and record patients’ vital signs, which is important in fast-paced hospital settings,” said Gand. “We have a commitment to fostering high-performance healthcare environments, and our platform-based devices help reduce the chance of transcription errors and the time required to collect patient data—as well as providing all caregivers near-instant access to the most recent patient status.”

According to Pascal Gand, vice president, Global Strategic Marketing at Welch Allyn, the high-performance healthcare solutions Welch Allyn will feature at Medica are a direct result of the growing demand for connected and configurable solutions that anticipate and respond to unique healthcare provider needs around the world. The products offer easy-to-use features and options that provide clinicians with access to information they need to provide the best possible patient care.

The company will formally introduce a configurable system that integrates nearly 100 years of innovation into one unit including traditional Welch Allyn physical assessment instruments and twenty-first century vital signs documentation technology that electronically captures and transmits patient data to an EMR, enabling improvements in patient safety and clinical decision making and reducing risk to facilities—providing clinicians in non-critical care settings with immediate access to accurate vital signs anytime, anywhere.

“Scalability is having a profound impact on the way we develop our products,” added Gand. “Accuracy, workflow and patient safety are primary concerns in hospitals around the world, and the products we’ll have on display at Medica address each of these issues. We will showcase platform-based solutions that offer greater efficiency and more configurability options to help shape the future of healthcare delivery beyond traditional approaches to connect, manage, and share patient information—and improve patient care in the process.”

About Welch Allyn

Founded in 1915 and headquartered in Skaneateles Falls, NY (USA), Welch Allyn is a leading global provider of medical diagnostic equipment and a complete range of digital and connected solutions. With 2,750 employees working in 26 different countries, Welch Allyn is a family-owned business that specializes in helping doctors, nurses, and other frontline practitioners across the globe provide the best patient care by developing innovative products, breakthrough technologies, and cutting-edge solutions that help them see more patients, detect more conditions, and improve more lives. More information about Welch Allyn and its complete line of connected products and solutions may be found at http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.welchallyn.com&esheet=50019537&lan=en-US&anchor=www.welchallyn.com&index=3&md5=e13e56805cdbacfc90deedefefaea690.

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Source URL: http://www.healthcareitnews.com/press-release/welch-allyn-showcase-high-performance-healthcare-technology

Links:
[1] http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.welchallyn.com%2Fdefault.htm&esheet=50019537&lan=en-US&anchor=Welch+Allyn&index=1&md5=32c26fa1df9523171e3cac213f847e35
[2] http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.medica-tradefair.com%2F&esheet=50019537&lan=en-US&anchor=2011+Medica+International+Trade+Fair+and+Congress&index=2&md5=708265a55448344a423693da6baea57c
[3] http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.welchallyn.com&esheet=50019537&lan=en-US&anchor=www.welchallyn.com&index=3&md5=e13e56805cdbacfc90deedefefaea690

October 3 is the Last Day for Eligible Professionals to Begin their 90-Day Reporting Period for 2011

Medicare EHR Incentive Program Website News
http://www.cms.gov/ehrincentiveprograms/

News Updates | September 23, 2011

October 3 is the Last Day for Eligible Professionals to Begin their 90-Day Reporting Period for 2011

The last day that eligible professionals (EPs) can begin their 90-day reporting period  in calendar year (CY) 2011 for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program is October 3,  2011. For EPs, this means that they must begin their consecutive 90-day reporting  period by October 3 in order to attest to meeting meaningful use  and be eligible to receive an incentive payment for CY 2011.

For EPs who have already completed their reporting  period, CMS has a number of tools available to help prepare for attestation.  EPs can use the CMS Eligible  Professional Attestation Worksheet to record their meaningful use measures to have as  a reference when attesting for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program in CMS'  web-based Registration  and Attestation System. The Meaningful  Use Attestation Calculator and Attestation  User Guide for Eligible Professionals can also help EPs to successfully attest to meeting  meaningful use.

CMS  encourages EPs not to miss the opportunity to participate in the Medicare EHR  Incentive Program this year. Begin your reporting period by October 3rd to get  on the path to payment for CY 2011.

Looking Ahead
Take a look  at all of the other EHR Incentive Program important dates that are coming up by  going to our CMS Medicare and Medicaid EHR  Incentive Programs Milestone Timeline,  or reviewing the “Important Dates” section of the EHR Incentive Programs’ Overview page.

Want  more information about the EHR Incentive Programs?
Make sure to visit the CMS EHR Incentive Programs website for the  latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs http://www.cms.gov/ehrincentiveprograms/

Published on FierceEMR (http://www.fierceemr.com)

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Why users should treat EHRs like a GPS

By mdhirsch

Created Sep 15 2011 - 10:13am

 

Would the adoption of electronic health records be more widespread if users saw the systems more as decision support tools, similar to GPS systems? According to Quadramed CMO and VP Joe Bormel, writing in Healthcare Informatics, it's all a matter of expectations.
For instance, GPS systems, like EHR systems, can be frustrating at times and pose special challenges, such as when directions conflict with a user's expectations, common sense, or signage. As a result, users set their expectations accordingly and temper their results.
Bormel suggests that EHR systems are similar, in that they provide "locations" of patient information, as well as care pathways. He maintains that if EHR users would adjust their expectations and work on understanding the limitations of the technology, less frustration and more adoption might result. "[An EHR] provides decision support," he writes. "The final decision still rests with the physician."
Marc Resnick, a professor of human factors and information design at Bentley University in Waltham, Mass., sees the analogy as true--to a degree. He notes that the differences between support provided by a GPS system and support from an EHR system should not be overlooked. For instance, while most people, including physicians, don't mind following the suggestions made by GPS, some EHR systems go beyond decision support.
"EMRs should give advice, suggestions which tests to run and why, but not correct the doctor," Resnick tells FierceEMR. "Doctors don't like being told what to do [in their practice] and won't follow it."
To learn more:
- here's Bormel's blog post [1]
Related Articles:
Dialing back the expectations for interoperable EHRs [2]
Med students expect EHRs for their practices [3]
Personal, electronic health records present challenges for physicians [4]

• Clinical Decision Support
• EHR
• electronic health records
• Fierce Exclusive
• GPS
• Joe Bormel
• Marc Resnick
• QuadraMed

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Source URL: http://www.fierceemr.com/story/ehrs-effectiveness-gps-dictated-user-expectations/2011-09-15

Links:
[1] http://www.healthcare-informatics.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=349DF6BB879446A1886B65F332AC487F&nm=&type=Blog&mod=View+Topic&mid=67D6564029914AD3B204AD35D8F5F780&tier=7&id=E955E5B449A84746AC45F9BA1E8F3385
[2] http://www.fiercehealthit.com/story/dialing-back-expectations/2009-10-05
[3] http://www.fiercehealthit.com/story/med-students-expect-ehrs-their-practices/2010-10-04
[4] http://www.fierceemr.com/node/9355/PHR-EHR integrations present challenges for physicians

Electronic Health Record Implementation and Consulting

Is your medical practice ready to update your old paper charts into an electronic health record?? Does the thought of that enormous task have you running for retirement?? If so, contact MSO Solutuions, LLC. We are a company in Syracuse, New York that offers EHR Consulting Services by knowledgable staff, with excellent prices and superior customer service!!

Some of the services we offer are:
*Assisting with the creation of your Request for Proposal (RFP)
*Pricing and Negotiation assistance for the EHR contract
*Workflow Analysis of Your Practice to Improve Efficiency and Lower Costs
*Provide Long-Term IT Support for Your Network

While we do NOT sell a specific EHR, we will assist you in the process of "weeding out" the good from the bad!!

Give us a call today!!

EHR Implemenation-Things to remember.....

While all physician practices are not the same, neither are all EHRs.  Therefore, it is important to remember some basics when starting to think about your EHR implementation.

1.  Teamwork-it is important that when implementing your EHR you not only involve the clinical staff, but that the billing and administrative staff have some involvement too.  EHR's do NOT just effect the physician and clinical work flow.  Coding and reporting are also VERY important especially when trying to capture Meaningful Use.  Make sure everyone has "bought into" the EHR transition-failure to do so will lead to failure in your practice.

2.  Clearly define your expectations and goals-  Jumping into an EHR implementation without set timelines will only lead to failure.  You want to plan every aspect of the implementation from beginning to end.  I know it sounds tedious, but it will pay-off in the long run.

3. Investment- not only are you investing in the immediate future with all of the technology needs you will now have, but you are also investing in your long-term future.  While many still find it hard to believe, EHRs will improve your office work flow and overhead.  Just ask any physician who has been using and EHR for 5 or more years.

Now it's time for my sales pitch!!

MSO Solutions, LLC offers EHR Implementation Consulting Services.  Our EHR Consultant is a Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) with the National Healthcareer Association and is also a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) with the American Academy of Professional Coders.  She also has over 10 years of experience in the medical field in various positions.  We offer HIGHLY competitive rates and great customer service.

Give us a call today!!
Phone: 315-484-8885

Security Threats to EHR Systems

Security Threats to Electronic Health Records: What You Need to Know

Simply implementing an EHR and encrypting its data will not guarantee patient information is safe.  Breaches to protected health information (PHI) occur and with expensive consequences.  According to an article published in the September 2011 issue of Health Data Management, “Connecticut Health Net faced an unexpected expense when it moved to an electronic health records system: a $250,000 fine from the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office after a disk drive filled with PHI was lost.” 

Not addressing your security needs and flaws can cost you not only fines, but also loss of patients.  A report posted from the Ponemon Institute suggests that “44 percent of the cost of data loss isn’t the data loss itself, but customers heading for the exits.” 

It is imperative that you hire an IT consulting company that is aware of HIPAA Security Breach Standards and incorporates them into your security system and procedures.

We at MSO Solutions, LLC have the training, expertise and experience needed to ensure that your EHR system is secure. 

Contact us today to and ensure YOUR system is ready!!

Phone: 315-484-8885

Email: jlsprague@msosolutions.com

Published on Healthcare IT News (http://www.healthcareitnews.com/)

Home > HHS awards $137M to states for health IT, prevention

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HHS awards $137M to states for health IT, prevention

By Bernie Monegain, Editor

Created 08/25/2011

WASHINGTON – The Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday awarded $137 million to nearly every state to strengthen prevention efforts and to improve public health. Many of the awards include a health IT component, such as immunization information technologies and registries.
"More than ever, it is important to help states fight disease and protect public health," said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "These awards are an important investment and will enable states and communities to help Americans quit smoking, get immunized and prevent disease and illness before they start."
The grants will fund key state and local public health programs supported through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Most of the grant money comes from the Prevention and Public Health Fund created by the Affordable Care Act. Additional SAMHSA funds supplement the investment.
"CDC supports state and local public health departments, which are key to keeping America safe from threats to health, safety, and security from this country or anywhere in the world," said CDC Director Thomas Frieden. MD. "With these funds, CDC is strengthening our ability to prevent and combat diseases and keep Americans safe against expensive and dangerous health threats."
The awards include:

• Up to $75 million to fund nine Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment programs over the next five years. These programs will allow communities throughout the nation to provide more comprehensive substance abuse screening, secondary prevention, early intervention and referrals to treatment for people at higher risk for substance abuse. The actual award amounts may vary, depending on the availability of funds and the performance of the grantees.
• More than $42 million to support: improvements to the Immunization Information Systems (registries) and other immunization information technologies; development of systems to improve billing for immunization services; planning and implementation of adult immunization programs; enhancement of vaccination capacity located in schools; and evaluations of the impact on disease of recent vaccine recommendations for children and adolescents.
• $9.2 million to eight national non-profit professional public health organizations to assist state, tribal, local and territorial health departments in adopting effective practices that strengthen their core public health systems and service delivery. They will also enhance the workforce by providing jobs in critical disciplines of epidemiology and informatics, thus attracting new talent to public health.  
• Nearly $5 million to help states and territories enhance and expand the national network of tobacco cessation quitlines to increase the number of tobacco users who quit. Quitlines are the toll-free numbers people can call to obtain smoking cessation treatments and services.
• $2.6 million to the Emerging Infections Programs around the country to continue improvement in disease monitoring, professional development and training, information technology development and laboratory capacity.
• $1.5 million to evaluate and prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia to reduce cases of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections and protect Americans from healthcare-associated infectious diseases.
• $1 million to further enhance the nation's public health laboratories by hiring and preparing scientists for careers in public health laboratories, providing training for scientists, and supporting public health initiatives related to infectious disease research.

A full list of the awards by state and their projects is on the next page.

The awards by state

Alabama
Alabama State Department Public Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $105,155; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $1,438,016 
American Somoa Government - SAMHSA Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment, $8,304,000 
Arizona
Arizona State Department Of Health Services - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $118,909; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $1,162,818 
Arkansas
Arkansas State Department of Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $91,895; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $1,786,942 
California
California Department of Public Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $340,245; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $765,000; CDC Emerging Infections Program, $216,151; CDC Vaccine Effectiveness Monitoring, $381,103 
Colorado
Colorado State Department of Public Health & Environment - CDC Tobacco Quitlines.$107,45; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $1,800,000; CDC Emerging Infections Program, $166,864; CDC Vaccine Effectiveness Monitoring.$191,878
Colorado State Government -SAMHSA Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment, $8,330,000 
Connecticut
Connecticut State Department of Public Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines. $96,478; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $1,225,182; CDC Emerging Infections Program, $296,877; CDC Vaccine Effectiveness Monitoring, $199,515
State of Connecticut - SAMHSA Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment, $8,330,000 
District of ColumbiaAmerican Public Health Association - CDC Improve Public Health Infrastructure Investments, $464,400
Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs - CDC Improve Adoption and Use of Evidence-Based Preventive Services, $61,137
National Association of City/County Health Officials - CDC Improve Adoption and Use of Evidence-Based Preventive Services, $266,821; CDC Prevent Healthcare-associated infections, $100,000; CDC Improve Public Health Infrastructure Investments, $558,400; CDC Accelerate Accreditation Readiness, $835,000; CDC Enhance the Ability for States to Bill Insurance for Immunization Services Provided in a Health Department Clinic, $200,000
The Public Health Foundation - CDC Improve Adoption and Use of Evidence-Based Preventive Services, $296,329; CDC Improve Public Health Infrastructure Investments. $464,400; CDC Strengthen workforce development and training, $172,000
Delaware
Delaware State Department of Health & Social Services, CDC Tobacco Quitlines. $77,285
Florida
Florida State Department of Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $205,000; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $718,920 
Georgia
Georgia Department Of Community Health - CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $1,036,494; CDC Emerging Infections Program, $235,911; CDC Vaccine Effectiveness Monitoring, $212,612
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists - CDC Prevent Healthcare-associated infections, $290,000; CDC Strengthen Public Health Informatics Training, $1,162,081; CDC Strengthen workforce development and training, $1,934,625 
Guam
Guam Department Of Public Health and Social Services - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $50,000 
Hawaii
Hawaii State Department of Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $80,274; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization. $933,189
Idaho
Idaho State Department Of Health And Welfare - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $82,100 
Illinois
Office of the Governor - SAMHSA Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment. $8,324,317
Indiana
Indiana State Department of Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $117,651; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $271,141
Office of the Governor - SAMHSA Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment, $8,329,906 
Iowa
Iowa State Department of Public Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $92,758; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $900,000 
Kansas
Kansas State Department of Health And Environment - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $91,379; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $3,115,885 
Kentucky
Kentucky Cabinet For Health And Family Services -tCDC Tobacco Quitlines, $102,279 
Louisiana
Louisiana State Department of Health & Hospitals - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $103,575
National Network of Public Health Institutes - CDC Improve Adoption and Use of Evidence-Based Preventive Services, $249,582; CDC Improve Public Health Infrastructure Investments, $564,400 
Continued on next page.
Maine
Maine State Department of Health and Human Services - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $80,443; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $1,256,896
Maryland
Maryland State Department Of Health and Mental Hygiene - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $112,377; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $1,297,548; CDC Emerging Infections Program, $239,195; CDC Vaccine Effectiveness Monitoring, $145,460
Association of Public Health Laboratories - CDC Partnership for Quality Laboratory Practice, $1,000,000 
Massachusetts
Massachusetts State Department of Public Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $118,894; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $2,570,827
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care - CDC Streamlined surveillance for ventilator associated pneumonia: reducing burden and demonstrating preventability.$1,508,825 
Michigan
Michigan State Department Of Community Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $143,503; DC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $1,235,590 
Minnesota
Minnesota State Department Of Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $109,218; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $1,261,172; CDC Emerging Infections Program, $313,593; CDC Vaccine Effectiveness Monitoring, $328,791
Mississippi
Mississippi State Department Of Health - CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $484,195 
Missouri
Missouri State Department of Health & Senior Services - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $114,477; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $1,397,940
The Children's Mercy Hospital - CDC Vaccine Effectiveness Monitoring, $201,220
Montana
Montana State Department of Public Health & Human Services - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $77,939
Nebraska
Nebraska State Department of Health & Human Services - CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization,$492,300
Nevada
Nevada State Department Of Health and Human Services- CDC Tobacco Quitlines $90,099; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization $539,989 
New Hampshire
New Hampshire State Department Of Health And Human Services- CDC Tobacco Quitlines $80,488 
New Jersey
New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services - CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $876,197 
New Mexico
New Mexico State Department of Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $85,482; CDC Emerging Infections Program, $254,826; CDC Vaccine Effectiveness Monitoring, $162,131
New York
New York State Department of Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines $213,269;  CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $2,573,336; CDC Emerging Infections Program, $300,477; CDC Vaccine Effectiveness Monitoring, $409,254
University of Rochester - CDC Vaccine Effectiveness Monitoring, $201,220
State of New York - SAMHSA Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment, $8,330,000
North Carolina
North Carolina State Department of Health & Human Services - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $139,210; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $1,023,484; SAMHSA Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment, $8,330,000
North Dakota
North Dakota State Department of Health - CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $226,418
Continued on next page.
Ohio
Ohio Department Of Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $154,966; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $252,275
National Association of Local Boards of Health - CDC Improve Adoption and Use of Evidence-Based Preventive Services, $265,449
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center - CDC Vaccine Effectiveness Monitoring, $201,220
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State Department Of Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $97,707; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $1,046,675
Oregon
Oregon State Public Health Division - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $98,711; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $639,590; CDC Emerging Infections Program, $268,693; CDC Vaccine Effectiveness Monitoring, $167,139 
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State Department of Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $162,708 
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Department of Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $99,750 
Rhode Island
Rhode Island State Department of Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $78,510
South Carolina
South Carolina State Department of Health and Environment - CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $654,034 
Tennessee
Tennessee State Department of Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $116,726; CDC Emerging Infections Program. $307,413; CDC Vaccine Effectiveness Monitoring, $162,890
Vanderbilt University Medical Center - CDC Vaccine Effectiveness Monitoring, $201,220
Tennessee State Department of Mental Health - SAMHSA Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment, $8,330,000 
Texas
Texas State Department of Health Services - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $251,470; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $540,000
Houston City Health & Human Services - CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $134,842 
Utah
Utah State Department Of Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $91,130; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $515,979 
Vermont
Vermont Department Of Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $75,365; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $792,138 
Virginia
Virginia State Department Of Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $128,289; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $452,061
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials - CDC Improve Adoption and Use of Evidence-Based Preventive Services, $305,682;  CDC Prevent Healthcare-associated infections, $100,000; CDC Improve Public Health Infrastructure Investments, $558,400; CDC Strengthen Public Health Informatics Training, $337,920; CDC Strengthen workforce development and training $75,000
Washington
Washington State Department Of Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $119,408; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $1,736,427
Seattle Children's Hospital - CDC Vaccine Effectiveness Monitoring, $201,220
Department of Social and Health Services - SAMHSA Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment, $8,330,000 
West Virginia
West Virginia State Department of Health and Human Resources - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $84,098; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $1,317,124 
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Health Services - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $112,051; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $756,548
Wyoming
Wyoming State Department of Health - CDC Tobacco Quitlines, $74,800; CDC Strengthen Public Health Immunization, $485,906 
*Note: All CDC award amounts represent the first year of funding for multi-year projects. All SAMHSA award amounts represent the maximum amount for which grantees are eligible over a five-year grant period.  The actual award amount may vary, depending on the availability of funds and the performance of the grantee.
 

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Source URL: http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/hhs-awards-137m-states-health-it-prevention

Links:
[1] http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/hhs-use-it-help-enroll-kids-medicaid-chip
[2] http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/obamas-new-rural-jobs-initiative-includes-health-it

MSO Solutions, LLC-IT Outsourcing and EHR Consulting Services

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself.  My name is Jennifer Sprague and I am the Sales Representative and EHR Consultant for MSO Solutions, LLC.  We are a company specializing in Information Technology (IT) Outsourcing and Consulting Services.  We currently work with small to mid-sized Corporate and Healthcare Clients.  We want to help your business increase productivity and revenue by helping you improve your current IT infrastructure.

As a full service IT Company we have products and services to help you design the IT network that is best suited for your organization.  We work with local IT product distributors to offer you an extensive range of products to meet all of your needs and at a price that is guaranteed to fit your budget.  And, we will deliver and install ALL of your IT products so your project is done correctly, on-time and on-budget.

Some of the services we offer are:

                *The Design and Implementation of Windows Networks

                *Hardware and Software Selection

                *Installation and Configuration of Wireless Networks

                *Workstation and Network Maintenance and Repair

                *Remote Network Support

                *Beginner to Intermediate Computer Training

                *Digital Transcription Services-Healthcare and Corporate

We also offer EHR Implementation Consulting Services.  Our goal is to prepare you for the implementation and set-up of your new EHR.  This service includes:

                *Assisting with the creation of your Request for Proposal (RFP)

                *Pricing and Negotiation assistance for the EHR contract

                *Workflow Analysis of Your Practice to Improve Efficiency and Lower Costs

                *Provide Long-Term IT Support for Your Network

What sets us apart from other IT companies is our personalized service and custom designed solutions for your business.  For a free quote, please call us today at 315-484-8885 or visit us online at http://www.msosolutions.com/

Survey reveals docs' perceptions of EHRs at potential buyers, users

Published on Healthcare IT News (http://www.healthcareitnews.com)

Home > Survey reveals docs' perceptions of EHRs as potential buyers, users

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Survey reveals docs' perceptions of EHRs as potential buyers, users
By Molly Merrill, Associate Editor
Created 08/08/2011
TAMPA, FL – Meaningful use remains the strongest driver to implement electronic health records for physicians, according to a new survey that finds both potential EHR buyers and current users valuing the technology, but with substantially different perceptions and expectations.

Sage Healthcare Division, a developer of electronic health records for medical practices across North America, worked with Forester to conduct a survey among physicians nationwide in an effort to examine perceptions and determine attitudes toward these systems. The sample included both physicians using EHR and those in the market for the technology.

The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of potential cost savings, benefits of these systems to small and mid-sized practices and to find any intangibles of using EHRs, such as physicians providing care from multiple locations or helping physicians have more time away from the office because of increased mobility and connectivity.

“Implementation of EHRs in the U.S. continue to grow as an increased number of physicians and staff gain a better understanding of the efficiency and cost-saving benefits of using the technology,” said Betty Otter-Nickerson, president of the Sage Healthcare Division. “However, a significant number of office-based practices have yet to implement an EHR solution. Sage’s survey was conducted to examine current perceptions and predominant trends that will help us design the best solutions to maximize the benefits of EHR.”

The survey findings indicated that meaningful use incentives are still one of the strongest drivers for most physicians (64 percent) to implement EHR technology, but for 32 percent of those who are in the market for EHRs, insufficient capital is still a key challenge to the switch.

The survey found that EHR users said they measure their success through reporting and tracking healthcare outcomes (64 percent) and error reduction (62 percent), but those who have yet to purchase EHR responded they would measure EHR success through increased revenue (74 percent) followed by reporting and tracking healthcare outcomes (60 percent).

Also, current EHR users are more aware of additional benefits than those who haven’t implemented the technology yet and expected achievements with EHR are stronger for those who have already purchased the solution.

Key findings of the survey in general:

77 percent saw ease of use and quickness as a top characteristic in an EHR solution
39 percent of respondents ranked improved and timely access to accurate patient information as the most important reason to achieve their EHR goals, followed by reduced time spent in information search and management (34 percent)
Physicians who have already implemented EHRs perceive more value in lower costs and improved staff efficiency than those in the market for an EHR solution (35 percent versus 25 percent)
When surveyed physicians were asked about SaaS as an alternative to an in-office solution, both those with or without EHR (39 percent) had security and data privacy concerns about the outsourced solution
For EHR users:

Physicians who have already implemented EHR largely reached their business goals of lower costs and improved patient service (80 percent) and improved staff efficiency (74 percent)
72 percent of those surveyed saw the increased availability of floor space that was previously occupied by paper records as a major advantage of EHR, second only to reduced administrative costs (82 percent)
56 percent see error reduction as the number one tangible benefit of EHR, followed by ability to share patient information (38 percent)
68 percent have seen mobile access to information as the biggest intangible benefit of EHR (34 percent)
Of all the EHR users surveyed, 52 percent said that reduced paper and office expenses saved them the most money
76 percent of respondents said they would invest in EHR again

For non-EHR Users:

Of all non-EHR users, 30 percent would prefer having in-office EHR to an outsourced solution, such as SaaS or off-client software
“Some of our EHR customers have indicated they are spending more time away from the clinic because of the system’s efficiency and accessibility off-site,” said Otter-Nickerson. “This accessibility also saves them time during each patient visit, which translates into more quality time spent with the patient. Another great advantage of EHR is that doctors can look up a patient’s entire history and have a comprehensive view of their health. Consequently, doctors can make more informed decisions, thus improving the quality of care and potentially generating better health outcomes.”


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Source URL: http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/survey-reveals-docs-perceptions-ehrs-potential-buyers-users
Links:
[1] http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/400m-ehr-incentives-delivered
[2] http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/top-5-worst-emr-myths
[3] http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/survey-finds-trepidation-uncertainty-about-ehrs

Top 5 worst EMR myths

Top 5 worst EMR myths

July 26, 2011 | Molly Merrill, Associate Editor

http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/top-5-worst-emr-myths

SAN FRANCISCO – Rumors about electronic medical records continue to persist, but one vendor is trying to separate the myths from the facts.

Practice Fusion, a San Francisco-based EMR developer has identified the top five worst EMR myths:

1. EMRs are bad for “bedside manner." Does a computer ruin the interaction between patients and doctors? The opposite is true, according to a 2010 Government Accountability Office report. The study found that EMRs help doctors have more information about the patient and contribute to better communication. A good EMR allows a doctor to spend more time with a patient and less with paperwork. Plus, patients can get real-time access to their own health records online through the doctor's EMR system.
2. You can't teach old doctors new tricks. Although there is an initial learning curve during the EMR adoption process, an easy-to-use EMR can significantly improve workflows once an EMR is fully implemented. Older physicians often lead the charge for an EMR transition in order to prepare their practice for sale when they retire. Tools such as dictation software and customizable templates can help win over even the most technology-adverse docs.
3. Only hospitals use EMRs. While EMRs are more common in large medical facilities such as hospitals, health technology is starting to sweep into smaller private practices. Private practice physicians deliver more than 80 percent of all care provided for uninsured patients and serve as the front-lines for primary care in the U.S. – so getting them to use technology that improves the quality of care is especially important.
4. Having my data stored in an EMR is a security risk. Federal HIPAA regulations are very strict about who can see inside your chart and give your EMR records protection beyond what's possible with paper charts. In order to open an electronic chart, a medical professional needs strict login permissions. The EMR system tracks each time your records are accessed and backs up data in a safe and secure way so that records are always available to you and your doctors when needed. Plus, Web-based EMR systems protect from disasters, floods, building fires, and tornadoes that could easily destroy paper records.
5. EMRs are expensive. The final myth is actually true a lot of the time. Legacy EMR vendors still charge small medical practices $100,000 or more for software, with additional money spent on hardware and IT maintenance. However, new affordable EMR technology is emerging that is making it easier for small practices to join the technology transformation.

New York eHealth Collaborative taps e-MDs for meaningful use

New York eHealth Collaborative taps e-MDs for meaningful use-Healthcare IT News

July 22, 2011 | Mike Miliard, Managing Editor

NEW YORK – The New York eHealth Collaborative (NYeC) has selected Austin, Tex.-based EHR vendor e-MDs as a partner to help promote and assist with the adoption of health IT technologies across the Empire State.

NYeC serves as the federally designated Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (HITREC) for the state of New York. As a meaningful use partner, e-MDs will assist members of NYeC in managing efficient implementation of EHRs and achievement of meaningful use in a cost-effective manner.

NYeC officials say e-MDs offers affordability, a remote hosting option, ePrescribing capabilities, the ability to interface with a State Health Information Exchange (HIE) system, extensive system functionality and overall benefit to providers.

"I am delighted that NYeC is partnering with e-MDs," says Dave Whitlinger, executive director of the New York eHealth Collaborative (NYeC). "The meaningful use program is a very important incentive for providers. Establishing a group of meaningful use partners will increase the number of providers who can receive services from NYeC and will help physicians, who have become EHR users, learn how to qualify for federal reimbursements. NYeC's mission is to improve the quality of patient care through health information technology. This partnership program will contribute to that goal and benefit the public good."

"We are delighted to have been recognized as a meaningful use partner for the state of New York," says Michael Stearns, MD, president and CEO of e-MDs. "NYeC is a very forward thinking organization, and their efforts will have an important impact on the adoption of sophisticated healthcare technology that will benefit the entire state of New York."

HHS Must Address Confusion Over EHR's, Meaningful Use, Group Says

Published on FierceEMR (http://www.fierceemr.com)


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HHS must address confusion over EHRs, Meaningful Use, group says
By jsimmons
Created Jul 7 2011 - 10:06am
The Department of Health and Human Services should consider Medicare and Medicaid electronic health record (EHR) incentives and Meaningful Use in its retrospective review of existing regulations, the American Hospital Association (AHA) urges in a letter to HHS Kathleen Sebelius.

When the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs were introduced, hospital leaders were excited about the opportunity to be rewarded for adopting health information technology. However, the rules set out by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) "are overly complex and confusing--leaving many hospitals concerned about their ability to meet the programs' demands," AHA writes.

Simplified regulations that recognize how health information technology is actually acquired, used and implemented are "needed for these programs to fully succeed and for hospitals to be able to meet the national goals of an e-enabled health care system," AHA maintains.

In addition, the requirements for Meaningful Use should be "clear, but not over-specified," it said. Hospitals and physicians should be given easier ways to use a combination of vendor products--but still meet requirements to use certified EHR technology and receive EHR incentive payments, says AHA.

The organization also criticized ONC's certification requirements under Meaningful Use as an example of "regulatory complexity that acts as a barrier" for hospitals trying to use certified technology. This has created the opposite of the intended goal--causing hospitals to buy technology that they will not be using, AHA says.

For more information:
-see the AHA letter [1]
-read the Becker's Hospital Review article [2]


Related Articles:
HHS relaxes EHR meaningful use rule to encourage adoption [3]
Most hospitals would struggle to meet meaningful use now [4]

American Hospital AssociationDepartment Of Health And Human Serviceselectronic health records. Meaningful UseKathleen Sebelius

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Source URL: http://www.fierceemr.com/story/hhs-must-address-confusion-over-ehrs-meaningful-use-group-says/2011-07-07
Links:
[1] http://www.aha.org/aha/letter/2011/110630-cl-hhs-es-2011-002.pdf
[2] http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/aha-pushes-hhs-to-address-meaningful-use-ehr-incentives.html
[3] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/hhs-relaxes-ehr-meaningful-use-rule-encourage-adoption/2010-07-13
[4] http://www.fiercehealthit.com/story/study-just-2-1-percent-hospitals-would-meet-meaningful-use-now/2010-08-30