by Strategic Interests News | Dec 15, 2017 | HIT Strategy, Practice Transformation, Quality Care
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Analytics has recognized Rochester Regional Health hospitals with HIMSS Stage 7 validation. Achieved by only approximately six percent of hospitals nationwide, HIMSS 7 validation is the industry’s highest standard for electronic medical record adoption and implementation. 
Getting there is a multi-year, eight stage process that requires collaboration and coordination of team members at every level of the health system.
Rochester Regional’s are the only hospitals in the Upstate New York that have achieved HIMSS 7 and actually comprise one third of all hospitals in New York State to have achieved Stage 7 designation.
Outside of Manhattan, Rochester Regional comprises four of the five hospitals that have achieved this distinction.
Not only was the milestone achieved, but Philip Bradley, regional director of North America for HIMSS Analytics stated, “Rochester Regional Health has accomplished an excellent deployment of a comprehensive acute care EMR. The case studies of quality and efficiency improvements are among the best we have ever seen.”
Strategic Interests has been working diligently with Rochester Regional for years in their EHR and healthcare technology transformation process. We’ve provided grant guidance, implemented population health programs, given DSRIP support, developed interoperability strategies, support data normalization initiatives — and a lot more.
HIMSS Stage 7 validation is based on the Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM). Stage 7 signifies the transition from paper charts to only using electronic medical records. There are eight stages (0-7) that measure a hospital’s implementation and utilization of information technology applications. The final stage, Stage 7, represents an advanced patient record environment.
HIMSS Analytics will recognize Rochester Regional Health at the 2018 HIMSS Conference & Exhibition, held from March 5-9, 2018, at the Venetian-Palazzo-Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, and Strategic Interests will be there to cheer our client on!
Isn’t is time for your health system to achieving the highest quality and efficiency possible using technology? SI can help!
by Brett Kinsler | Aug 13, 2017 | Conferences, DSRIP, HIT Strategy, innovation, Interoperability, Quality Care, Transitions of Care
Chicago, August 2017 — Al Kinel discussing care transition IT strategy at Allscripts Population Health University
As part of the Allscripts Population Health University held August 8 – 10, 2017 at Chicago’s McCormick Center, Strategic Interests president, Al Kinel, led a presentation explaining the improvement of care transitions using information technology. As seasoned implementation agents for Allscripts dbMotion product, SI understands first hand how the timely exchange of pertinent information positively impacts transitions of care from clinical, technical and strategic angles.
Kinel was joined by two SI clients who discussed their experience with interoperability and transitions of care: Erik Jacob, Manager of IT Interoperability at Rochester Regional Health, discussed the projects in Rochester from the Community Diabetes Collaborative through the merger of multiple hospitals and practices. Brian Henderson, Director of Physician IT Services at Sarasota Memorial Hospital presented the project connecting ambulatory community providers to the hospital’s health information exchange, SMHxchange. Finishing the talk, Strategic Interest’s Director of Clinical Services, Brett Kinsler, DC presented the methodology used to identify gaps and prioritize data elements to be exchanged to facilitate a Medicaid DSRIP program.
Chicago, August 2017 — Erik Jacob presented Rochester Regional Health’s interoperability process
Overall, the team defined the value of Health Information Exchange (HIE) with specific use case examples and described how innovative solutions can impact organizations and practices, increase care quality, decrease duplication of services, prevent unnecessary readmissions, and enable innovative payment models while attaining strategic objectives and enhancing partnerships among hospitals, LTPACs and community providers.
We appreciate being invited by Allscripts to present a topic we are so passionate about and are grateful to our client partners from RRH and SMH for bringing real life examples and experience to the discussion.
by Brett Kinsler | Dec 12, 2015 | Physician Stress, Quality Care, Telemedicine
A recent publication in publication Mayo Clinical Proceedings (2015;90(12):1600-1613) concluded that in the United States, physicians are worse off than they were just three years ago. The work-life balance has suffered and more than 50% of physicians report professional burnout. This is in contrast to the high degree of professional satisfaction reported with their career choice.
Burnout is a term that reflects emotional exhaustion, a loss of meaning in work, feelings of ineffectiveness and a tendency to view people as objects rather than as human beings. This has profound implications in healthcare and is likely one of the largest causes of high rates of physician turnover. The problem is pervasive and getting worse. The inventors of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) describe burnout as “…an erosion of the soul caused by a deterioration of one’s values, dignity, spirit and will.”
Researchers noted a 10% increase in burnout prevalence over the last 3 years despite no increase in the number of hours worked, no change in career satisfaction or symptoms of depression. And before you say that this is probably just a human condition of living in the United States, the trend among the general US working population does not follow suit.
What are the possible solutions to this problem? Here are a few suggestions:
1. Increase Efficiency: this does not mean pushing more patients through the office at a faster rate but rather helping organize, calibrate and fine-tune workflows to empower physicians to be more effective in the time they have during an encounter.
2. Promote Work-Life balance: end the ridiculous long shifts of residents and encourage physicians to optimize their career with their families. Create an environment that nurtures community, flexibility and control that will yield more meaning in the care of patients. Establish programs that provide healthy outlets for physicians in the workplace such as exercise facilities and farmer’s markets. Permit physicians to exert control over their work hours whenever possible.
3. Encourage Self-Reflection: give physicians time and space to examine their own wellness as well as personal and professional values. Teach strategies for conflict resolution and stress reduction. Skills for resilience in challenging situations can be taught and learned. Workshops and group discussions can help doctors know they are not alone in their feelings and give them a sounding board for their symptoms.
4. Leverage Technology: utilization of tools such as telemedicine can allow physicians to schedule treatment time without a physical presence. This provides flexibility and a refreshing newness to the work.
5. Focus on the Value: physicians should be permitted to shift their focus to the aspects of health care they find most valuable. For some, this is research. For others, teaching. Finding a good career fit may not be the same thing they thought it was in medical school.
Physician burnout can lead to rising costs, reduced quality of patient care and even medical errors. Doctors who are stretched to the limit are unable to provide necessary empathy to their patients. If you are a physician who is experiencing burnout or an administrator who recognizes the symptoms in your employees, examine whether or not your health system is overworking the providers or simply failing to provide needed support. Changes can lead to improvements in all aspects of the care spectrum, for patients and for the organization as a whole.
by Marla Cybul, RNC MBA | Dec 12, 2015 | Electronic Health Records, Physician Stress, Quality Care
Much time and effort is expended in the EHR selection, implementation and deployment process but too infrequently are providers asked how the EHR is helping or hindering them. What can the vendors do to enhance this process? At times, we need to be reminded to take a step back and remember that healthcare needs to be safely and effectively provided. The onslaught of new technology can affect providers and patients in both positive and negative ways. Here are 5 questions and examples of the potential impacts:
Q. What are the positive impacts the EHR has had on your practice?
A. Providers often note increased collaboration with other providers and more thorough documentation of care events.
Q. What, if any, are the negative impacts the EHR has had on your patients?
A. Not having eye-to-eye contact with patient when interviewing and documenting has become a necessary side-effect of using the technology in the examination room. Providers find the need to force themselves to look up from the screen to establish a visual connection with the patient.
Q. What are the positive impacts the EHR has had on your workflow?
A. It is much easier to find information needed and to have that information presented in a way that is meaningful and trackable.
Q. What are the negative impacts the EHR has on your workflow?
A. It is more difficult to complete documentation in a timely manner. Providers may find, especially in the early implementation stages, it takes more time to document visits.
Q. What actionable ideas do you have that could enhance the EHR for your patients and your practice?
A. Easier access for patients, such as the use of private kiosks in the office would allow patients to update their information privately prior to appointment and with a staff member to help if necessary.
All new technology has pros and cons. Clinically, financially and for population health success, the use of EHRs can and does push practices to deliver better care. With proper usage and workflow, providers can adapt and improve so all patients can realize better outcomes.
by Marla Cybul, RNC MBA | Nov 16, 2015 | Electronic Health Records, Quality Care
Today, so much of healthcare seems to be about the technology available to provide more cost effective and safer care to our at-risk patients, such as those on Medicaid. At times, we need to be reminded to take a step back and remember healthcare is about our patients. The onslaught of new technology can affect patients in both positive and negative ways. Below are 5 ways that may not be apparent at first glance:
Patients are unaware of the astounding amounts of information that is available within their EHR that may be able to impact their quality of life
While some patients are hesitant to share information freely, the open sharing of health information with appropriate providers can help make great strides in an individual’s health status.
As patients share reliable information, providers are able to create and collaborate to facilitate the best plan of care
Collaborative care plans yield better results and a more personal approach to treatment. Without shared information, the best care plans cannot be created.
Providers have the ability to track their care and thus provide the services necessary for a positive outcome
Patients who cannot make it to an appointment or are more concerned with finding food or a place to sleep may put those priorities ahead of having a needed procedure. Healthcare information access can uncover patient needs that go beyond those that are purely medical.
Patients are uninformed of the education they can utilize through their EMR
Patients can access specific articles and data directly related to their care and become active partners in their own treatments. Research is clear that outcomes improve when patients have ownership of their own health.
Patients are unfamiliar with the patient portal and how valuable communicating with their providers can affect their care
Faster, more efficient communication is possible when patients take advantage of options provided by the patient portals. Too few utilize this important resource that is provided free, often as a result of Meaningful Use requirements.
Do you remember to keep the “care” in healthcare or does the data too often cause you to look at patients as cases and treatments as events?
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