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Monday, November 29, 2010
A Milestone for the Direct Project
Nine months ago, I wrote about the NHIN Direct project and its effort to enable health information exchange for the little guy.
Since then, I've written many times about the need to transport standard specifications to accelerate interoperability. It's even one of my FY11 keep me awake at night topics.
Today, the Direct Project team issued this press release.
As Arien Malec, Coordinator of the Direct Project, noted in his Thanksgiving message to the project participants:
"We have two specifications that are content complete (needing editorial review and revision); two reference implementations that are at a 1.0 state and can "out of the box, just add trust" enable exchange with a simple install and configuration; some amazing documentation, from the elegant generalist overview, to the most geeked out installation and programming guides; a compelling presentation; solid best practices and security reviews to protect privacy, security and trust; and some incredible implementation geographies integrating directed exchange into physician workflow to enable meaningful use and improved quality."
This effort is terrific and I look forward to the thorough analysis of the implementation specifications that the HIT Standards Committee will do over the next month to ensure the work meets the design requirements for simple, direct, scalable, and secure transport.
Tomorrow, the HIT Standards Committee begins that process by taking public testimony from six leading HIE vendors. It will be interesting to see who commits to implementing Direct and how they compare its specifications to other implementations of SOAP, REST, and SMTP for point to point data exchange.
There is no question that having alignment and energy behind a data transport solution is a critical need for the industry. You don�t need to go any further than a hospital referral department, awash in paper and fax machines, to know that this is really important.
Since then, I've written many times about the need to transport standard specifications to accelerate interoperability. It's even one of my FY11 keep me awake at night topics.
Today, the Direct Project team issued this press release.
As Arien Malec, Coordinator of the Direct Project, noted in his Thanksgiving message to the project participants:
"We have two specifications that are content complete (needing editorial review and revision); two reference implementations that are at a 1.0 state and can "out of the box, just add trust" enable exchange with a simple install and configuration; some amazing documentation, from the elegant generalist overview, to the most geeked out installation and programming guides; a compelling presentation; solid best practices and security reviews to protect privacy, security and trust; and some incredible implementation geographies integrating directed exchange into physician workflow to enable meaningful use and improved quality."
This effort is terrific and I look forward to the thorough analysis of the implementation specifications that the HIT Standards Committee will do over the next month to ensure the work meets the design requirements for simple, direct, scalable, and secure transport.
Tomorrow, the HIT Standards Committee begins that process by taking public testimony from six leading HIE vendors. It will be interesting to see who commits to implementing Direct and how they compare its specifications to other implementations of SOAP, REST, and SMTP for point to point data exchange.
There is no question that having alignment and energy behind a data transport solution is a critical need for the industry. You don�t need to go any further than a hospital referral department, awash in paper and fax machines, to know that this is really important.
Airplane Travel With Food Allergies
We flew cross-country over the Thanksgiving holiday. We were booked on 3 Southwest flights for our trip. Southwest does offer peanuts for their in-flight snack, but will make a substitution upon request. As we were flying with dairy, egg, peanut and tree nut allergies, we at least take advantage of their "no-peanut snack", providing some sense of security.
For those of you who've never flown Southwest with a peanut allergy, here's what to do:
We were on 3 flights and the procedure worked perfectly. There were snack options for everyone ranging from pretzels to crackers to Lorna Doone® cookies, Ritz® cheese crackers and pita chips. Several of these snacks contained my child's allergens, but we read labels and chose accordingly. I know many food allergic flyers choose not to eat anything in-flight, and that's fine too. Of course one can always bring safe snacks from home.
I like the way Southwest handles peanut allergies. It saves me the worry of 150 people opening packets of peanuts and releasing peanut dust all over the cabin and I think most people don't even notice the substitution. When the man in the row in front of us requested peanuts for his snack, the flight attendant said, "We're a peanut-free flight, but ask me when you're getting off the plane and I'll give you a complimentary pack of peanuts. Would you like crackers or cookies now?".
Yeah Southwest!
For those of you who've never flown Southwest with a peanut allergy, here's what to do:
- Call Southwest a day or two before the flight to alert them of the peanut allergy. If booking your tickets online, on the "Southwest Airlines Payment and Passenger Information" screen, click on the link to "Add/Edit Disability Assistance Options."you can make note of the allergy. I'd still call prior to the flight.
- Speak with a Customer Service Agent (CSA) upon arrival at the airport. You will then be given a "Peanut Dust Allergy Document" and the CSA will alert the Boarding Agent to stock the plane with an alternative snack.
- This "Peanut Dust Allergy Document" entitles the family to pre-board, allowing a family member to wipe down a seating area if necessary.
- Upon boarding, the Peanut Dust Allergy Document is handed over to the on-flight crew.
We were on 3 flights and the procedure worked perfectly. There were snack options for everyone ranging from pretzels to crackers to Lorna Doone® cookies, Ritz® cheese crackers and pita chips. Several of these snacks contained my child's allergens, but we read labels and chose accordingly. I know many food allergic flyers choose not to eat anything in-flight, and that's fine too. Of course one can always bring safe snacks from home.
I like the way Southwest handles peanut allergies. It saves me the worry of 150 people opening packets of peanuts and releasing peanut dust all over the cabin and I think most people don't even notice the substitution. When the man in the row in front of us requested peanuts for his snack, the flight attendant said, "We're a peanut-free flight, but ask me when you're getting off the plane and I'll give you a complimentary pack of peanuts. Would you like crackers or cookies now?".
Yeah Southwest!
The latest health tips on cell phone radiation
To date, I have written in this column thirteen (13) articles on health tips on the use of cell phones… as a public service to remind cell phone users of the harmful effects of the excessive use of cell phone because of radiation exposure.
Here are additional health tips on the use of cell phones that I got from the internet. Should you wish to confirm the information I am sharing with the readers of this column; or should you need further information to convince you of the health risks of cell phone radiation, please check the internet:-
• Do you know that different cell phones emit different amount of radiation? And do you know that cell phones are just complex two-way radios and that if one is talking on a cell phone, he/she is actually talking and listening to a two-way radio that is broadcasting a very, very high frequency signal right next to one’s head;
• Do you know that the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a law requiring retailers of cell phones to post notices on how much dangerous radiation is reportedly being emitted by the cell phone units being sold - for consumers’ information;
• Do you know that one of the latest warning on cell phone radiation is to keep your cell phone at least one inch away from your body at all times while it’s on? A big problem for male cell phone users is that they put their cell phones in their pockets – without bothering to check whether their cell phones are on off or on mode;
• Do you know that many parents give their children cell phones as playthings and/or sometimes to soothe them to sleep and place the cell phone under the pillow – without realizing that the skulls of their children are thinner than the skulls of adults and that thinner skulls admits more radiation. There are research studies that show that a young brain is more vulnerable to brain damage/cancer than a mature brain;
• Do you know that in 2008, researchers in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that individuals who kept their cell phones against one side of their heads for several hours a day were fifty percent (50%) more likely to develop parotid tumors;
• Do you know that cordless phone chargers also emit radio frequency power even when not in use. This being so, Wi-Fi and cordless phone chargers should be removed in the bedrooms.
• Do you also know that pulsed digital signals are more damaging than the analog signals and they should not be anywhere near the head of the bed. Also, baby monitors should not be placed closer than 6 feet to the cribs.
(The above information was taken from Internet sites re the book Zapped; Why Your Cell Phone Shouldn’t be Your Alarm Clock and 1,268 Ways to Outsmart the Hazards of Electronic Pollution, by Ann Louise Gittleman, an award winning New York Times best-selling author of over 30 books on health and healing. In 2005, Ann Louise Gittleman was diagnosed with a benign tumor of the parotid, one of the salivary glands located just below the earlobe. It’s a very rare tumor. Ms. Gittleman is a heavy cell phone user for years.)
• Do you know that the French National Assembly passed a new environmental bill last June that included the following health protection directives against possible risk to electromagnetic fields (EMF). The radiation emitted by cell phone is known as electronic radiation.
– A prohibition on the use of mobile phones at school by students in kindergartens, elementary schools, and colleges.
– A prohibition on advertising and marketing mobile phones to children under 14 years of age.
– Every mobile phone sold in France must provide Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) along with a recommendation to use a hands-free kit. The details of how the information is to be presented are not yet finalized.
Let us reduce our cell phone radiation exposure by practicing health care measures on the use of cell phones.
Have a joyful day!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Medical transcription outsourcing: Make an informed choice for desired results
Outsourcing medical transcription has been acknowledged to be a sensible option for healthcare facilities and healthcare professionals looking for accurate, speedy, secure and cost effective medical transcription services. However while outsourcing a vital component of the healthcare process like medical transcription it is important to make an informed choice so as to ensure a long term partnership.
To achieve the desired objective of outsourcing medical transcription it is imperative that the healthcare facility follow a clear cut process of outsourcing, consisting of the following steps:
- Identify the objective of outsourcing: While outsourcing an important aspect of the healthcare delivery chain like medical transcription it is important to identify what exactly one hopes to gain from the outsourcing decision. It would seem obvious that the desired outcome of outsourcing medical transcription would be to save on costs, but there could also be other objectives like expansion of services, better time management, gaining access to a larger pool of talent & technology etc. Identifying the desired outcome of the outsourcing decision can help in the evaluation the medical transcription service provider based on their capability to help achieve this objective. Focusing only on the cost saving aspect can lead to the wrong choice.
- Identify the risks: Outsourcing medical transcription involves certain inherent risks and it is better to identify these risks; this will help in evaluating the medical transcription service provider on the basis of their capability to minimize these risks. The inherent risks involved in outsourcing medical transcription are:
- The inability of the medical transcription service provider to cope with volume fluctuations.
- The risk of pricing with hidden costs
- Security risk
- Technology mismatch risk
- Quality risk
- Evaluate the service provider: This step of the outsourcing process involves evaluating the medical transcription service provider to ensure that the potential risks that may arise out of outsourcing can be mitigated.
- Years of experience: The number of years the medical transcription service provider has been in existence is an indication of the robustness of the service provider
- Relevant experience: The experience of the medical transcription service provider in having served healthcare facilities and healthcare professionals of similar types is an important aspect to be evaluated as this indicates the capability of the service provider.
- References: Getting feedback of the existing customers of the medical transcription service provider establishes the service provider as being capable of delivering services as promised
- Pricing: While outsourcing medical transcription it is important to study the cost quoted by the service provider in detail. As cost saving is one of the main objectives of outsourcing it is important to evaluate the billing method used by the service provider to ensure that the components of pricing are understood by all concerned
- Accuracy: As patient medical records support the operational, legal and commercial aspects of the healthcare facility it is important to ensure that the information captured in the patient records is as accurate as possible. To evaluate the capability of the medical transcription service provider to deliver accurate transcription it is important to focus on the training methods and the quality check procedure
- Turnaround time: Timely transcription helps in clinical decision making and in quickening the reimbursement process. The capability of the medical transcription service provider to meet the turnaround time requirements can be evaluated by assessing the availability of trained transcriptionists and the technology used
- HIPAA and HITECH compliance: Protecting confidential information is not only the moral obligation of the healthcare facility, but it is also mandated by law. As the medical transcription process requires the transmission of this data to and from the healthcare facility it is important to evaluate the measures taken by the service provider for HIPAA / HITECH compliance
- Technical compatibility: The technology used by the medical transcription service provider ensures speed, security and convenience. It is important to assess this to ensure compatibility with the systems of the healthcare facility to ensure that no further investments are required
- After sales service: Outsourcing medical transcription requires a certain period of hand holding, having multiple channels of communication can help resolve any issues as soon as they arise. It is important to establish that the service provider possesses adequate after sales service.
- Scalability of services: It is important to evaluate the scalability of the medical transcription service provider's services to suit future service requirements like expansion of operations, adopting EMR, providing speech recognition software editing services etc.
- Getting started with outsourced services: Once all these factors have been evaluated the next step is to sign the contract and getting started on availing outsourced medical transcription services.
Following a systematic and scientific approach to outsourcing medical transcription can help the healthcare facility avail maximum benefits from outsourcing option.
TransDyne, a leader in the outsourced medical transcription industry has been providing medical transcription services for over a decade. TransDyne offers quality medical transcription at reasonable prices, executed by experienced and qualified medical transcriptionists with a very quick turnaround time executed through secure HIPAA and HITECH compliant channels, with very high levels of accuracy and all this with technology that is advanced but easy to use!
To avail outsourced medical transcription services from TransDyne, click here.
