Tag Archives: Healthcare

Posted on by

State of Connecticut Selects eiPortal for Healthcare Integration from PilotFish for Meaningful Use Testing

MIDDLETOWN, CT (PRWEB) March 04, 2013

Applied PilotFish Healthcare Integration, a provider of middleware solutions, announced today that the State of Connecticut has commenced implementation of the PilotFish eiPortal to support reporting requirements for Stage 1 Meaningful Use testing efforts.

The eiPortal, a cloud-based application, provides 24/7 access to all the implementation resources required to build an interface along with a fully automated, self-service, interface testing and validation facility that will be configured for reporting requirements.

Any common or standards-based message can be configured as an eiPortal service. Each service can be associated with a unique set of business rules, data quality checks and other validations. Once a service is configured, data exchange partners can submit messages electronically for automated review. Subsequently, a web-based UI displays immediate, detailed feedback. It also provides simulated responses (synchronous and asynchronous) to inbound messages, again without requiring human intervention or full test environments. Users can refine their interface and achieve conformance without involving their service provider.

“The State of Connecticut is really able to leverage the self-registration and automation capabilities of the eiPortal to perform Stage 1 Meaningful Use testing and HL7 format and content validation. This will enable all hospitals and practices in the State of Connecticut to build interfaces that will conform to healthcare interoperability standards,” said Neil Schappert, Executive Chairman of Applied PilotFish Healthcare Integration. “Starting with HL7 immunization messages, the State will configure services for each Meaningful Use reporting requirement. As each organization that is looking for documentation for Stage 1 attestation for reporting meets these requirements, a certificate will be issued through the eiPortal’s automated process. The time savings for State employees will be considerable.”

The eiPortal greatly exceeds the basic Meaningful Use requirements of just capturing and verifying the electronic transmission of this data. It is also capable of certifying the conformance of these messages against national standards and internal processing requirements. This capability positions Connecticut to manage future-stage Meaningful Use testing, and to use the eiPortal as a pre-production, self-service on-boarding tool to greatly benefit Connecticut healthcare providers. The on-boarding tool will ready them to begin the move to full production for Stage 2 reporting.

“We are excited to partner with PilotFish for our Meaningful Use testing,” commented Mark Raymond, CIO for the State of Connecticut. “The eiPortal allows us to eliminate significant human intervention, while providing a higher level of service to our providers, than would otherwise have been possible.”

“States and organizations are spending millions of dollars working with different partners implementing the same message over and over again. It is a repetitive process that is intensely reliant on expensive human capital. The eiPortal provides a unique solution to automating this process. It frees up IT staffs not just in Government, but in Labs, at HIEs and Manufacturers or any entity that offers a standard set of interfaces, file formats or web services for consumption by many customers,” said Neil Schappert. “Meeting this critical need for the State of Connecticut for Meaningful Use certification is just one example. We are thrilled with the opportunity to help our home state be more efficient. We are also pleased to provide the state’s practices and hospitals with an online resource that lets them meet Meaningful Use requirements faster and with far less effort.”

Applied PilotFish Healthcare Integration is exhibiting at HiMSS13, March 4-6, 2013, New Orleans, LA, Booth #7941 – see live demos of the eiPortal and eiConsole for Healthcare (an IDE featuring a graphical Assembly Line for configuring interfaces).

About PilotFish

Founded in 2001 and based in Middletown, CT, PilotFish Technology provides middleware software and services to enable the integration of disparate systems. The eiPortal for Healthcare Integration is distributed through Applied PilotFish Healthcare Integration, Inc. (APHII), a subsidiary of PilotFish Technology. Products are distributed directly to end users and through select channel partners.

Inquiries: Monika Vainius, Vice President, 860-632-9900 x303







Posted on by

Videotels HD2600 Industrial Digital Signage Media Players Recently Selected by Audio Video Distributor for Healthcare Facilities Nationwide

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) November 11, 2014

When Horton & amp; amp; Associated , a unique provider of audio and video equipment for health care facilities nationwide, sustainable necessary equipment for use in hospitals and treatment centers, he chose and HD2600 DVD player to become its industrial reliable solution.


Specifically designed as UL-approved and comply AnnexQ for use in hospitals and health facilities, the HD2600 allows these facilities to improve communication, educate, interact, entertain, and educate patients . It is a real content loop commercial DVD player designed for rugged use and displays video content on any screen. The HD2600 is designed to run on, automatically play and automatic repeat loop without any manual intervention.


“The industrial-grade DVD players Videotel and industrial media players certainly fill a need in the healthcare market we constantly service,” said Daniel Horton, president of Horton & amp; amp ;. Associates

The HD2600 is unmatched in quality and reliability. For health care facilities that require reliable digital media solutions to improve the patient experience, the HD2600 DVD player is the perfect solution, allowing continuous playback 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days year. Built to handle the tough demands of video content loop, the HD2600 is ideal for environments that want a cost effective solution to inform and entertain patients.


“Horton & amp; amp; Associates is unmatched in the quality of services they offer to their customers Videotel is proud to partner with them to trusted digital media players that facilitate a positive experience for patients,”. said Lisa Schneider, Vice President of Videotel business development and market strategy. “The HD2600 is the perfect solution for any medical facility looking for compact, reliable digital media players to communicate, entertain and educate patients. “


About Videotel Inc.


Based in San Diego, CA, Videotel is the leading manufacturer and distributor of the Nation of industrial Looping DVD players, digital media players, players Digital Signage, Interactive Digital Signage solutions, digital signage, digital custom Kiosks & amp; amp; PLV. Videotel has over 34 years of market experience in the development of the next generation and the niche of simple digital video products and industrial solutions. To learn more about Videotel Inc., visit http://www.videoteldigital.com or call us at 800-878-4056.


When Horton & amp; amp; Associates, a unique provider of audio and video equipment for health care facilities nationwide, necessary durable equipment for use in hospitals and treatment centers, he chose Videotel Inc. and its industrial HD2600 DVD player become his reliable solution.

clear = “all”

Posted on by

Digital Signage In The Healthcare Industry

Digital signs have long been a feature of many public places like airports, stations and shopping centres; now they are being used in the healthcare industry.

Information can be a static display, with for instance, a welcome message, or a continuous loop of text and pictures. Digital signage in the healthcare industry can be used in many more ways than this. A highly visible screen showing current waiting times and other such information is very useful for staff and patients alike. In the past, staff couldn’t make a report before completion of a procedure; now, automatic logging of the information displayed allows instant analysis of workflow. In a real sense the report is created as the various events occur.

People naturally find digital screens far more pleasing to the eye than badly written whiteboards or posters. Their ability to grab and hold attention can be used to the full. Of course, the screen layout has to be carefully thought about, as too much information is more liable to confuse than inform. The rule is: keep it simple. After all, the job of digital signage displays in the healthcare industry is not to advertise or entertain, but to provide vital, real-time information.

Staff will benefit from the use of an integrated system. For instance, a scanner can read the barcode on a patient’s wristband as they go into the operating theatre, giving information to staff outside the theatre. Temperature, humidity and other environmental readings can be automatically displayed on LCD screens, making it simple for staff to monitor activity around the clinic or hospital.

Frequently asked questions about directions and waiting times are responsible for taking up much of the staff’s time. An integrated digital signage system can answer these questions automatically, freeing up staff to carry out the job they are supposed to be doing. This, in turn, can only have positive benefits for the wellbeing of patients. Linking of the system to other hospitals and clinics is, of course, not a problem. Such simple information sharing between different teams and buildings makes workflow much easier. By looking at the LCD display screen in front of you, all the information you need for effective patient care is available without the need to ask questions by phone, email or memo.

Gaining people’s attention during the present cash-strapped times has forced advertisers to use the most effective means available. Advertisements on digital screens in visitor or patient waiting areas is the best way of reaching a captive audience. Advertisements, alternating with patient-focused information, provide a service to patients and visitors while simultaneously providing a revenue stream for the hospital, clinic or nursing home.

Wouldn’t it be great to know exactly how long you have to wait until it’s your turn to see the doctor?

Stephanie Andrew writes and publishes articles for Sussex base SEO consultants, ePage Solutions, whose clients include digital signs International.

Posted on by

Eight Healthcare Startups Selected for Rare Opportunity to Pitch Healthcare CIOs and Investors, June 10th at the Emerging Healthcare Technology Conference

Madison, WI (PRWEB) May 31, 2013

Eight in technology companies diversified health-start Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago and Minnesota, will present five minutes “elevator” pitches health care responsible for Information Officer (CIO), investors and healthcare leaders to “Start Me Up” Day care technology emerging health ( http://www.startuphit.com ) as part of the 11th Annual Conference June 10-12 Digital Healthcare Center for Executive Education Fluno.


“The biggest challenge for young IT companies in health before the scene becomes makers,” said Jonathan Baran, founder and CEO of healthfinch. “Start Me Up is a win-win situation for both start-ups and policy makers. Start-ups have access to a large number of decision makers in a small period of time. The makers have access to controlled companies that stimulate innovation in their organizations. ”


An independent advisory board of physicians, investors and health leaders selected the eight companies “shop.” WTN Media produces the conference in collaboration with WTN News. These entrepreneurs show how the technology of their business to improve the delivery of health care, quality and patient safety. health leaders will also hear from CIOs about the best approach to start-ups for pilot projects.


Dan Wilson, an entrepreneur and co-founder of Moxe Health, said: “The region is primed to be a leader in innovation in advanced health and partnerships with WTN Media to host the event Start Me Up Inaugural offer a phenomenal opportunity to spotlight some of the startups scene the most promising in the Midwest. We are delighted to continue our collaboration with industry leaders to advance the start-up ecosystem health in Wisconsin and beyond. This is just the beginning! “


The financing of information technology in health (IT) increased dramatically in 2012 and continues to grow. Today, there are huge opportunities for entrepreneurs to transform health care.


“However, the emerging health information technology providers face many technical and commercial challenges of partnership and integration with leading electronic medical records developers,” said Mike Klein, CEO Conference and editor. “Start Me Up function will informative and interactive discussion on how to develop and sell products for use by health professionals.”


The 2013 “Healthcare Technology Showcase” includes the companies listed below. Each CEO will present their business technology executives Health and investors. Reporters wishing to contact individual companies and CEO can do it through the media by calling 608-438-1007 WTN. More information on each of these companies is available at http: //www.startuphit .com.

healthfinch – Madison, WI.
CenterX – Madison, WI.
Wellbe – Madison, WI.
Health group before – Madison, WI.
Elli Health – Bloomington MN.
Catalyze – Milwaukee, WI.
Health Clinic – Minneapolis, MN.
SA Ignite – Chicago, IL.

“The big question is” Who pays for these things? ‘”Said Promod Haque A, a partner at Norwest Venture Partners.” If you are selling services to health care providers for large business, you must convince them that there will be a rapid return on investment and then investors are interested. ” There is a general awareness among institutional investors and strategic companies that vertical health is very important for the future, according to an article in VentureBeat.


In addition to targeting health leaders, the conference also includes a session to work with suppliers. Tim Thompson, a specialist in Epic supplier relations, Verona, Wisconsin – provider-based electronic medical records, will lead the session,

“Building partnerships and integration with third party providers of HIT.”

The registration fee is $ 25 for representatives of emerging companies, healthcare IT start-ups and entrepreneurs who have been in business for less than two years, and $ 50 for investors and other interested parties. You can register for the event at http: //www.startuphit com . For more information on the Digital Healthcare Conference href=”https://dev.digitalsignagereport.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/www.dhc20131.com” onclick=”linkClick(this.href)” see http: //www.dhc2013. com .


About WTN Media:

WTN Media is a global business-to-business media that helps clients to establish strategic relationships with high-level management online, print and conferences and symposia. WTN Media allows you to convey your brand message and brings you closer to your customers and prospects. With an update of the online offer, WTN Media is a valuable partner for your marketing efforts.

clear = “all”

Posted on by

Estes Park Medical Center Selects Summit Healthcare to Integrate Meditech HCIS and MEDHOST EDIS System

Braintree, Mass. (PRWEB) December 11, 2013

Estes Park Medical Center (EPMC) has selected Summit Healthcare as their vendor partner to streamline integration between their Meditech HCIS and MEDHOST EDIS. EPMC is a 25-bed critical-access acute-care hospital located in Estes Park, Colorado.

Health information technology has dramatically improved the quality of healthcare delivery, increased patient safety, and decreased medical errors. However, to accomplish these improvements, organizations must find the strongest system integration possible. Estes Park Medical Center uses Meditech 6.0 as their main hospital information system (HCIS) and is implementing MEDHOST as their emergency department information system (EDIS), with a planned go-live of March 4, 2014. The different systems pose unique challenges related to the integration of emergency department data with the hospital’s electronic medical record. Information such as orders, results, and medications administered must be integrated between the HCIS and the EDIS to give clinicians rapid access to critical patient data.

EPMC looked to Summit Healthcare as an integration leader and for Summit’s experience with Meditech and MEDHOST to handle this unique integration. Leveraging the Summit Interoperability technology platform and expertise, Summit Healthcare will be tasked with ensuring the integration is seamless between the systems. The Summit EDIS integration solution goes well beyond simply establishing and managing EDIS integration projects by providing increased efficiencies, better patient outcomes, and helping to create a complete electronic medical record.

The integration process between the systems will be near real-time including the ability to process critical messages between the systems within one minute of being received. The first focus will be to integrate Laboratory results, Radiology reports, and in/outbound ADT feeds.

“As we embark on integrating our Meditech HCIS with our MEDHOST EDIS, working with Summit Healthcare is the clear solution with their strong technology offering and unique expertise. We look forward to working toward a successful live date,” said Gary Hall, Chief Information Officer, Estes Park Medical Center.

“As EPMC faces the challenge of integrating their Meditech HCIS with their MEDHOST EDIS, Summit Healthcare is eager to step up to the challenge of this unique project,” said Ted Rossi, CEO, Summit Healthcare. “This tighter level of integration will allow for better patient care and safety which are crucial factors for all hospitals today. Summit Healthcare is committed to helping organizations continue to march forward in supporting all levels of integration.”

###

ABOUT SUMMIT HEALTHCARE

Summit Healthcare delivers the right results- every time, guaranteed. Offering an easy-to-use, flexible and robust technology platform with proven industry experience, Summit Healthcare is the smart choice. With a complete toolset for addressing integration, workflow automation and business continuity needs, taking control of your healthcare systems has never been easier. Since 1999, we have worked to provide the industry with the most flexible technology with complimentary tailored services and solutions.

Summit Healthcare values true partnership with over 1,000 clients worldwide, including complementary technology and value-added resellers. Visit us at http://www.summit-healthcare.com.

ABOUT ESTES PARK MEDICAL CENTER

Estes Park Medical Center is a 25-bed critical-access hospital with a 24-hour emergency department, 24-hour Advanced Life Support Ambulance Service, medical/surgical services, obstetrics, and home health and hospice services. Emergency air transport services are available from our healthcare associates in the Colorado Front Range communities. Estes Park Medical Center’s physicians are board-certified in many different areas and specialties. EPMC has served the Estes Valley and surrounding areas since 1975, and is designated as a Level IV Trauma Center. EPMC has a full-service laboratory, diagnostic imaging department, and a 60-bed nursing home, and provides services to the residents of and visitors to our beautiful valley. We are a community-initiated and community-nurtured organization dedicated to promoting wellness and providing the highest level of quality health care that ensures the confidence and loyalty of our patients.







Posted on by

Digital Collaboration Solutions Expands Dynamic Advisory Board with Addition of Healthcare IT Leaders Naomi Fried, Chuck Podesta, and Charlene Underwood

Boston, Mass. (PRWEB) January 28, 2014

Digital Collaboration Solutions (DCS), the health care solutions leader for facilitating critical business process change and improved outcomes through innovative care coordination, communications and collaboration, is pleased to announce the addition of three dynamic healthcare industry veterans to its advisory board: Chuck Podesta, senior vice president and chief information officer, Fletcher Allen Health Care and Fletcher Allen Partners; Naomi Fried, chief innovation officer, Boston Children’s Hospital; and Charlene Underwood, senior director of government and industry affairs, Siemens Medical Solutions.

Each brings deep industry experience and perspective to DCS that will accelerate the organization’s growth and unique position in the healthcare IT marketplace.

Podesta brings 30 years of experience, including numerous leadership roles. At Fletcher Allen, his healthcare IT experience is integral to Fletcher Allen Partners’ success as an integrated care system and accountable care organization. Under his leadership Fletcher Allen has successfully implemented Epic as its hospital information system. He is vice chair of the board of directors for Vermont Information Technology Leaders (VITL), which is both the designated health information exchange (HIE) for the state of Vermont and its federally designated regional extension center (REC). Podesta came to Fletcher Allen in 2008 after serving as SVP and CIO at Caritas Christi Health Care (now Steward Health Care) in Brighton, Mass.

As a longtime health IT veteran, Podesta lends often his expertise to the national stage, including seats on Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) working groups. He also serves on the advisory board for HealthSystemCIO.com and the editorial board at Healthcare Informatics Magazine.

Naomi Fried offers more than a decade of thought leadership expertise in several senior leadership roles as well as an in-depth understanding of how technology can spur healthcare innovation. As Boston Children’s Hospital’s first Chief Innovation Officer, Fried leads a team that promotes technological, clinical-process, and business model innovation across the world-renowned pediatric institution.

The Innovation Acceleration Program she leads focuses on enhancing the innovation culture by supporting strategic innovation initiatives, resourcing grass roots innovation, and identifying unmet innovation opportunities. Prior to joining Children’s, Dr. Fried served as Vice President of Innovation and Advanced Technology at Kaiser Permanente, where she built and managed a team of clinicians and technologists charged with identifying and assessing emerging clinical technologies and introducing them to operational leaders within Kaiser Permanente.

As Senior Director of Government and Industry Affairs at Siemens Healthcare, Charlene Underwood continues to build upon her reputation as one of the country’s foremost healthcare informatics experts. She directs Siemens outreach and advocacy activities in emerging market initiatives, specifically those related to government activities in healthcare IT. Underwood is delivering Siemens’ message to key stakeholders throughout the healthcare industry and on Capitol Hill, while developing programs that enable Siemens leadership in key government and industry initiatives.

Underwood served as the Vice Chair and Chair, HIMSS Board of Directors and as the first chair of HIMSS Electronic Health Record Vendor Association (EHRVA), is on the Federal Health IT Policy Committee Meaningful Use Workgroup, the HL7 Advisory Board, a member of the American Health Information Community (AHIC) Quality Workgroup and Expert Panel, and has sat on many other advisory groups involved in HIT development. Her many accomplishments include earning the HIMSS Fellow designation and being elected to HIMSS board. She boasts an accomplished history of actively advocating for industry involvement in defining how health IT is a means to improving patient safety and outcomes while reducing costs.

“We are extremely pleased and excited to add Charlene, Chuck and Naomi to our distinguished advisory board,” said Michael Levinger, president and CEO of Digital Collaboration Solutions. “Each brings deeply unique experience to the health IT field that recognizes the power of eCollaboration as an industry game-changer. We are eager to continue to build our organization through their steady guidance and invaluable insights.”

The new advisory board members join: Michael Aldridge, vice president of operations at Kansas Foundation of Medical Care and President and CEO of Synovim Healthcare Solutions, Inc.; Karen Bell, M.D., chairperson of the Certification Commission for Health IT (CCHIT) and member of the healthcare IT Policy Committee Accountable Care Workgroup; Andy Freed, president, Virtual, Inc. and former CIO of the Massachusetts Hospital Association; Roger Holloway, executive director, IL-HITREC and Joe Heyman, M.D., a Massachusetts board-certified gynecologist, member of the Board of Directors of the Whittier Independent Practice Association and past chairman of the American Medical Association Board of Trustees.

About Digital Collaboration Solutions, LLC

Digital Collaboration Solutions is a consulting and services company that helps healthcare organizations improve care coordination, patient experience, and provider engagement through innovative care coordination, communications, collaboration, and technology. Our team combines healthcare, healthcare IT and communications experience with the latest in digital collaboration technologies to deliver measurable results and improved outcomes. Visit thinkdcs.com and follow us at @thinkdcs for the latest in healthcare collaboration.







Posted on by

Online media research agency DigitalMR forms partnership with leading Italian healthcare communications specialists Brandnew Marketing Communications

London (PRWEB UK) 25 September 2012

Social media research experts DigitalMR have formed a new partnership with Brandnew Marketing Communications (BNMC), the Italian health and well being marketing specialists.

BNMC, will work in partnership with UK based DigitalMR, developing the latest online marketing and research solutions, to create more effective health & wellbeing marketing communication campaigns.

Using consumer feedback from innovative online research methodologies the partnership will seek to identify areas for improving customer engagement and driving online advocacy. A core feature of the partnership will be to develop solutions with the specific requirements of pharma and healthcare clients in mind.

BNMC, which has offices in Rome and Milan, will be official distributor of DigitalMR platforms and solutions to the pharma and healthcare categories in Italy.

Letizia Affinito, founder and MD of BNMC said, “This partnership will allow us to create marketing communications in a new way, using insights to improve customer engagement and amplify positive word of mouth thus creating more effective campaigns for our clients.”

DigitalMR founder and Group MD, Michalis Michael, said “Next generation market research is about co-creating among brand and product advocates, working in partnership with marketing to produce optimised communications campaigns.”

Contact

Michalis A. Michael

mmichael(at)digital-mr(dot)com,

tel: +44 751 571 0370

http://www.digital-mr.com


Letizia Affinito

laffinito(at)brandnewmc(dot)com

tel: +39 06 95061569

http://www.brandnewmc.com/company/letizia.html

About DigitalMR

DigitalMR understands what people think and feel when they share views online. It is a specialist agency which provides a holistic approach to web based market research. It specialises in utilising social media research, especially active web-listening, and online communities to enhance its business consulting approach.

The agency has pioneered new methods in online focus groups alongside tools such as video diaries, bulletin boards and online ethnography. DigitalMR is headed by founder and MD, Michalis Michael and has presence in London UK, Nicosia Cyprus, Warsaw Poland and Columbus Ohio, in the US.

About Brandnew MC

Brandnew MC stands out in the Italian landscape for its innovative business model.

The value proposition of BNMC is based on three fundamental pillars:

    Integration of the three key competencies for success in the evolving healthcare scenario in Italy: market access, innovation, and digital technologies
    “Leverage” of international resources through strategic alliances and partnerships
    Mastery and strategic understanding of new digital technologies/social media and how to use them. BNMC has pioneered new formats to develop and deliver webinar programs, executive workshops and crowdsourcing/open innovation projects.

BNMC is headed by founder and MD Letizia Affinito and has offices in Milan and Rome.







Posted on by

POLICY WATCH: RISARC CEO Richard Stephenson Asks, Did Hillary Clintons Message to the Healthcare Industry at HIMSS14 on Electronic Health Records Get it Right?

Burbank, California (PRWEB) March 11, 2014

Richard Stephenson, Founder and CEO of RISARC, a leading national high-technology and revenue recovery consulting firm to the health care industry, has endorsed the view of Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that federally-mandated electronic health records (EHR) are transforming the health care industry.

Secretary Clinton appeared at the Annual Conference on February 26. HIMSS is the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, the world’s largest global health information-technology association. HIMSS is based in Chicago and has more than 52,000 members worldwide.

Electronic efficiencies

Said Stephenson: “Secretary Clinton, herself a pioneer advocate for a broad national healthcare system, was on point in her address at this important annual conference of the health care industry’s IT leaders. The success of the Affordable Care Act depends a great deal on the efficiencies that electronic health records are bringing to the industry.”

“We are finally seeing the promise of electronic health care records leaving behind the outdated, obsolete, 20th Century – in some cases, 19th and 18th Century – ways that records are kept,” said Secretary Clinton at the conference which was held in Orlando, Florida.

Paper losses

Secretary Clinton spoke of the chaos that followed Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans when thousands lost their paper-based health care records in the storm’s destruction. Clinton expressed particular concern for the thousands of elderly patients who relied heavily on the information contained in that mountain of paper work lost in the floods and building disasters across the city for maintaining their prescriptions and treatment plans.

In the same week, Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services, spoke about far reaching challenges that the EHR revolution is bringing to the industry. Secretary Sebelius addressed the Care Innovation Summit put on by the Aspen Institute and Advisory Board Co. in Washington on February 27.

Health-first attitude

Said Stephenson: “The $ 20-billion electronic health records incentive program, part of the 2009 federal stimulus package, was intended principally to aid in the efficient management of individual health care regimens. Under the leadership of Secretary Sebelius and her team at HHS, the abundant digital information mined from individual EHRs is also capable of providing the structure and tools enabling a health-first attitude in wellness, diagnosis and treatment. ACA gives healthcare providers the structure and tools to develop a health first attitude – leading to better patient care, management and provider/patient partnerships by improving access on both sides to critical medical documentation.”

But that only happens, according to Stephenson, if the information is made widely available. An initiative inside Secretary Sebelius’ own HHS has begun to do just that.

Said Stephenson: “The new Hospital Compare website, sponsored by Secretary Sebelius, protects anonymity but aggregates and repurposes the information now flowing into the federal system. It also allows patients to match and compare their own experiences in categories such as patient experience, average wait times and whether a hospital has medical imaging capabilities.”

A July 2013 press release on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services CMS) website points out that approximately 80 percent of eligible hospitals and more than 50 percent of eligible professionals have adopted EHRs and received incentive payments from Medicare or Medicaid. The article continues, stating that the upside of EHRs is, according to CMS Administrator, Marilyn Tavenner: “Electronic health records are transforming relationships between patients and their health care providers. EHRs improve care coordination, reduce duplicative tests and procedures, help patients take more control of their health and result in better overall health outcomes.“

Obamacare 2.0

Added Stephenson: “I see this as Obamacare 2.0. The first stage of healthcare reform was to provide broad public access to care and to convince the industry to elevate its game with digitized EHRs. As virtually all providers and insurers have come on board, we are now seeing the way that this abundant digital information will quickly transform everything across the landscape – from public health, Medicare and clinical trials to spending on healthcare by the public and private individuals.”

About RISARC

RISARC is a leading national high-technology and revenue recovery consulting firm to the health care industry. RISARC, founded in 1990, has recovered over $ 1 billion for its clients. The company offers the RMSe-bubble™ for secure electronic document exchange and the signature RISARC 360° single-source solution that combines health care revenue cycle expertise with innovative cloud-based, cost-saving technology to help clients optimize existing resources, meet business objectives and reach financial goals. RISARC is a pioneer in health care technology solutions and is a certified Health Information Handler for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, esMD project. The RMSe-bubble provides the industry’s best secure, HIPAA-compliant environment for electronic record and document exchange and has been endorsed and accepted by providers, commercial insurance carriers and government agencies across the United States.

Please visit us at http://www.risarc.com for additional information.