Care Coordination and the Labor Shortage: How We Can Prepare
Today’s care coordination is often a manual and time-consuming process that depends on hard-copy patient lists, notes, and other physical documentation. Improving this state of affairs has historically involved throwing people at the problem—dedicating hours and staff to tasks like closing care gaps, securing referrals, placing follow-up calls, and more.
30 Years Solo: Advice From a Doctor on Staying Independent
My practice—despite tightening reimbursement prices and wild economic times—is doing quite well. Here are some tips I’ve learned over the years, all of which are founded on a simple philosophy: Caring for patients and providing good service is the primary goal. Happy, healthy patients are the financial lifeblood of any independent provider.
Better Quality Through Better Scheduling
A recent report from KLAS called “Patient Perspectives on Patient Engagement Technology 2022” talks about patient, provider, and vendor alignment on patient engagement technology and which of these technologies are most desirable for the patient. Rising to the top of that list are tools that help patients schedule, register for, or check in to an appointment; refill prescriptions; communicate with a physician’s office before a visit; and find a doctor.
What Makes a Healthcare Organization ‘Future Ready’?
How are organizations preparing for the future, and is the industry ready to leverage its technology, skill, and leadership for what lies ahead? We discussed this with James Domine, chief technology for Avail Medsystems, which provides solutions to connect procedural healthcare professionals regardless of their location through audio, video, and other software.
Shared Decision-Making Comes Into Its Own
Providers, payers, and pharmaceutical manufacturers consequently must consider and incorporate shared decision-making opportunities and mechanisms when developing therapeutic pathways, differentiated treatment options, and reimbursement strategies.
Electronic Peer-to-Peer Consulting to Combat Long Wait Times
The issues of access and available trained personnel are more complex in a world that has gone through a pandemic. “We’re seeing practitioners who are truly burned out,” says Chi. “COVID really drove everyone to the mat. It caused a large transition in specialty and PCP levels—people who were thinking about retiring are saying, ‘I’m done.’ ”
Addressing the Challenge of IV Dislodgement
IV dislodgements happen on a daily basis, so common that everyone in the hospital environment is aware of them. Whether it’s a caregiver tripping over tubing or a patient rolling over in their sleep, these incidents are understandable. But because they’re so universal, IV dislodgements cost the U.S. healthcare system as much as $2 billion annually.
How AI-Enabled Remote Patient Monitoring Is Improving Patient Adherence and Outcomes
The rapid shift toward telehealth accelerated the adoption of remote patient monitoring and played a significant role in making at-home care a reality. This new care delivery model helped to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among the most vulnerable and allowed providers to deliver the full continuum of care for patients with acute and chronic illnesses.
Six Strategies to Reduce Patient Discharge and Care Transition Risk
Four in 10 hospitals have struggled to appropriately discharge patients due to staffing shortages. Moreover, 86% of hospitals say COVID-19 has made it harder to secure placement for discharged patients. With the lack of postacute care staffing, health systems are under pressure to extend the length of hospital stays—making the cost of care dramatically more expensive.
Value-Based Care: What Makes a Successful Transition?
VBC should be a familiar concept these days, as CMS is pushing to have 90%–100% of reimbursement under VBC by 2030. That’s driving commercial relationships, employer/employee relationships, contracting, and more.