Home » Archives for July 2015

• CHIME and Fellow Industry Stakeholders Call on CMS to Expedite MU Modifications Rule

  Provider and Vendor Concerns Build Surrounding Delay in Rule’s Release

  ANN ARBOR, MI, July 31, 2015 – The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) joined a diverse group 18 industry stakeholders today, urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to finalize the rule that sets meaningful use requirements for 2015 through 2017.

  In May, the nation’s leading professional organization of chief information officers (CIOs) and senior IT executives in healthcare, submitted formal comments on the proposed changes to the EHR Incentive Program in which CHIME commended the agency for leading a series of changes to Meaningful Use, specifically the provision to shorten the EHR reporting period in 2015 from a full calendar year to 90 days.

  “The additional time proposed by the modifications rule could help hundreds of thousands of providers meet meaningful use requirements in an effective and safe manner. However, we are just 61 days away from the end of the fiscal year, and the final quarter of 2015, yet hospitals and physicians are without the rules outlining the requirements for participation in the program this year,” said Leslie Krigstein, Interim Vice President of Public Policy for CHIME.

  While, the efforts of CMS to simplify meaningful use in the 2015-2017 Modifications Rule are welcomed – and will be a key contributor to the ongoing success of the program – “providers and technology developers need to have the certainty now that comes with a Final Rule in order to be able to meet the reporting deadlines for 2015 and continue participation in the program,” stated the stakeholder group, which included provider and vendor representatives.

  Unfortunately with the end of the fiscal year CIOs are finding themselves questioning their ability to successfully participate in the meaningful use program if the rules are not released quickly.

  “CMS offered many beneficial changes in the proposed Modifications Rule, yet the delayed release may impede providers’ ability to not only take advantage of the proposed changes, but ultimately jeopardize their participation in the 2015 program year,” said Krigstein. “Immediate clarity on the expectations for providers in 2015 is the best hope for enabling success in the meaningful use program this year.”

  Citing the end of the fiscal year approaching, the letter states, “If providers do not receive the Final Rule shortly, it will be very difficult to make workflow adjustments in a timely manner to meet programmatic deadlines and facilitate Meaningful Use tracking and reporting.”

  To view the stakeholder letter in its entirety, click here.

  About CHIME
  The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) is an executive organization dedicated to serving chief information officers and other senior healthcare IT leaders. With more than 1,600 CIO members and over 150 healthcare IT vendors and professional services firms, CHIME provides a highly interactive, trusted environment enabling senior professional and industry leaders to collaborate; exchange best practices; address professional development needs; and advocate the effective use of information management to improve the health and healthcare in the communities they serve.

  Contact:
  Stephanie Fraser
  Director of Communications, CHIME
  734-665-0000
  [email protected]

  Posted 7.31.2015

• Tegethoff Named Vice President of CHIME Technologies, Inc.

  ANN ARBOR, MI, July 31, 2015 – The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) is pleased to announce the appointment of Gretchen Tegethoff, FCHIME, CHCIO as its Vice President of CHIME Technologies, Inc.  The new leadership role will help promote the organization’s for-profit entity created last year to support innovative and robust products and services from the healthcare industry.

  “We are extremely pleased to have a seasoned CIO and industry professional of Gretchen’s caliber join CHIME’s senior management team,” said CHIME CEO and President Russell P. Branzell, FCHIME, CHCIO.  “Her leadership and experience will be a significant asset in directing the development of CHIME Technologies, Inc. and working with our vendor and service firm partners to help solve healthcare challenges.”

  In her new role, effective August 1, 2015, Tegethoff will oversee the growth and development of CHIME Technologies’ core business operations and services.   Additionally, she will facilitate the development of new value added services that benefit the CHIME membership and the industry as a whole.

  “Gretchen played a major role in laying the groundwork for many of CHIME’s successes, and we are delighted that she has agreed to serve in this new role,” said CHIME Board Chair Charles E. Christian, FCHIME, LCHIME, CHCIO.  “Her talent and expertise will benefit CHIME Technologies greatly in fostering the kinds of advances and cutting-edge technologies that transform patient care quality and delivery.”

  Tegethoff comes to CHIME with 15 years of healthcare IT experience, most recently as the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Athens Regional Health System in Georgia.  She previously served as Chief Information Officer at The George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C.

  Tegethoff has been an active member of CHIME since joining the organization in 2007.  Most notably she served as a member of the CHIME Board of Trustees, the CHIME Education Foundation Board, and the Healthcare CIO Boot Camp faculty.  Tegethoff was instrumental in guiding the organization’s public policy efforts and previously served as Vice-Chair of the CHIME Advocacy Leadership Team. She is a Certified Healthcare CIO (CHCIO) and CHIME Fellow.

  Tegethoff has been nationally recognized with several industry awards and honors of recognition. In 2013, she was named as one of the “20 Health IT Leaders Who Are Driving Change” by InformationWeek and Becker’s Hospital Review’s “100 Hospital and Health System CIOs to Know.” In 2011, she was recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of twelve national leaders in the publication’s “Up and Comers” report.

  Tegethoff earned her Master’s degree in Information Systems Technology from the George Washington University School of Business and her undergraduate degree in Medical Technology from West Virginia University School of Medicine.

  “I am eager and honored to accept this new leadership position,” said Tegethoff. “This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to further serve CHIME’s membership and the industry overall.  I look forward to guiding the development of CHIME Technologies, Inc. and its innovative offerings.”

  About CHIME
  The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) is an executive organization dedicated to serving chief information officers and other senior healthcare IT leaders. With more than 1,600 CIO members and over 150 healthcare IT vendors and professional services firms, CHIME provides a highly interactive, trusted environment enabling senior professional and industry leaders to collaborate; exchange best practices; address professional development needs; and advocate the effective use of information management to improve the health and healthcare in the communities they serve. For more information, please visit www.chimecentral.org.

  Contact:
  Stephanie Fraser
  Director of Communications
  734-665-0000
  [email protected]

   

  Posted 7.31.2015

• KLAS Announces Top-Performing Vendors in 2015 Midterm Performance Review: Software & Services Report

  OREM, UT – July 30, 2015 — Thousands of healthcare providers at physician offices, clinics, hospitals and IDNs in Northern America weighed in to provide feedback about healthcare technology software vendors in 93 market segments. The 2015 Midterm Performance Review: Software & Services report, released today, provides a summary of the insights and feedback by shining a light on current vendor performance.

  The software products that have demonstrated the greatest score improvements since the 2014 Best in KLAS: Software and Services report published earlier this year are:

  • Allscripts Sunrise Emergency Care: +10%
  • CureMD EMR: +10%
  • McKesson Practice Partner: +15%
  • OnShift (Long-Term Care Only): +11%
  • Recondo Technology Patient Access: +15%

  The following KLAS software reports have the highest download rates and therefore serve as an indicator of provider and industry interest are:

  • Ambulatory EMR Perception 2014: New Leaders Emerging as Market Shifts
  • Cerner/Siemens Acquisition 2014: A Side-by-Side Look at the Data
  • EMR Interoperability 2014: Which Vendors Are Really Helping Providers?
  • Population Health 2014 Perception: Who Are Providers Betting on?
  • Population Health Performance: Emerging Market, Emerging Value

  “KLAS’ goal is to amplify the voice of the healthcare provider and match vendor claims with reality,” said KLAS President and CEO Adam Gale. “The Midterm Performance Review provides vendors with the opportunity to see what their customers are saying about their performance and what changes can be made to improve.”

  To access the 2015 Midterm Performance Review: Software & Services report, visit www.klasresearch.com.

  About KLAS
  KLAS is a research and insights firm on a global mission to improve healthcare delivery by amplifying the provider’s voice. Working with thousands of healthcare professionals and clinicians, KLAS gathers data and insights on software, services, and medical equipment to deliver timely reports, trends and statistical overviews. The research directly represents the provider voice and acts as a catalyst for improving vendor performance. Follow KLAS on Twitter.

  Posted 7.30.2015

• CHIME Applauds House Bill that Makes Necessary Improvements to Meaningful Use Program

  Statement from CHIME CEO and President Russell P. Branzell, FCHIME, CHCIO and CHIME Board of Trustees Chair Charles E. Christian, CHCIO, LCHIME, FCHIME

  ANN ARBOR, MI, July 30, 2015 – We commend Congresswoman Renee Ellmers for introducing H.R. 3309 – the Further Flexibility in HIT Reporting and Advancing Interoperability Act or “Flex-IT 2 Act” – and appreciate her continued leadership on this critically important issue.

  While CHIME remains committed to the success of Meaningful Use, and to making sure improved patient care is its lasting legacy, we believe significant changes are needed to address increased dissatisfaction with EHRs and growing provider dissatisfaction with the program. The introduction of the Flex-IT 2 Act serves to strengthen accountability and effectiveness of an e-enabled healthcare system and ensure long-term vitality of Meaningful Use.

  There is no doubt that the EHR Incentive Payments program has been a vital and successful driver of health IT adoption nationwide, setting the foundation for better population health, improved care delivery and lower costs. However, the ongoing challenges with program implementation must be addressed. Our members believe in the intent and promise of Meaningful Use, but providers and hospitals alike have been hamstrung by its often overly prescriptive requirements. We view the Congresswoman’s legislation as an opportunity to reevaluate and reorient this vital program that will provide the digital infrastructure to support a 21^st century healthcare system.

  We look forward to working with Congresswoman Ellmers, our membership, and colleague provider organizations toward the passage of this important bill.

  Posted 7.30.2015

• Huntzinger Management Group Appoints National Sales Director

  PLAINS, PA –  July 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — The Huntzinger Management Group, Inc. (HMG), a leading healthcare management consulting firm offering advisory and managed services, program implementation and staff augmentation services, announced the addition of Stephanie Wallace as National Sales Director. Founding Partner Bob Kitts, Chief Executive Officer of HMG, made the announcement.

  As National Sales Director, Wallace will be responsible for new business development and growing HMG’s portfolio of healthcare clients on a national basis. Her efforts will be concentrated on determining new client needs/requirements and supporting them with qualified talent as we emphasize the expansion of our supplemental staffing business. She will also assist in selling HMG’s expanded portfolio of services which was recently announced.

  Wallace is a member of HIMSS and past member and speaker at AHIMA, MGMA and AAMT. She has also served as a mentor/speaker for graduating medical language students and their educational institutions. Wallace has been the recipient of numerous awards for sales excellence including several Presidents awards recognizing elite sales performance.

  “At a time when HMG is expanding both our footprint and our scope of services, Stephanie is a great fit based on her extensive background in healthcare information technology and IT staffing. She’s been in leadership roles with consulting and staff augmentation companies that provided EHR implementation and optimization services. And with over 25 years of combined experience in HIT new business development, project management, operations management, optimization and transformation, Stephanie has keen insight and appreciation for her client’s needs and expectations – having been on both sides of the sales and service delivery equation,” said Bob Kitts, CEO of HMG. “This background is an incredible asset not only for our team, but for our clients. We welcome Stephanie to our team as we continue to work on being a preeminent force in helping clients leverage their IT investment and gain maximum value from their IT spend.”

  About Huntzinger Management Group, Inc.
  HMG provides advisory and managed services consulting to the healthcare industry. They focus on clinical and operational business performance optimization by ensuring alignment between IT, clinical, and ambulatory areas to position their healthcare clients for the future. For more information, visit www.huntzingergroup.com.

  Posted 7.29.2015

• Vital Images, Inc. Introduces Image Management & Business Intelligence Solutions to Australia & New Zealand Markets at RADaim 2015

  VioSuite™ Image Management & Vitality Solutions™ Business Intelligence Product Suites Deliver Unique Products & Services for Enterprise Image Management, Analytics & Business Intelligence

  GOLD COAST, AU – July 28, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vital Images, Inc., a Toshiba Medical Systems Group Company, introduces VioSuite Image Management and Vitality Solutions Business Intelligence product families, which provide healthcare administrators with a robust set of tools to improve system-wide image access and image data analytics. VioSuite and Vitality Solutions, as well as the company’s flagship products VitreaAdvanced® and VitreaView® software, will be showcased at the annual RADaim conference within the Toshiba Australia Pty Limited booth.

  “The development and commercialization of these new product suites is reflective of the company’s commitment to solving image access and business intelligence challenges within today’s complex environments,” said Toshio Takiguchi, President and CEO, at Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation. “Continuous innovation providing future-proof solutions that are clinically and administratively valuable is inherent in the Japanese culture. We are proud to bring these solutions to our customers.”

  VioSuite Image Management is a portfolio of flexible products supporting a variety of image management strategies. VioSuite software includes VioArchive™, a VNA (Vendor Neutral Archive) for unified storage and management of all imaging data created across all care operations, and VioStream™ software, which grants federated access to images residing in disparate DICOM and non DICOM archives.

  Utilising VioSuite products along with VitreaView software enables uniform access to patient imaging and improves workflow and support communication between clinicians, referring physicians and patients.

  Vitality Solutions Business Intelligence products and services deliver operational insight into existing clinical data across different modalities, information systems and locations. The Vitality Solutions tools allow healthcare leaders to enhance informed decision making and quality. Vitality IQ™ software delivers real-time access to critical business intelligence across an imaging department’s existing manufacturers, modalities, information systems and locations. By implementing Vitality IQ software, health administrators are able to improve management of quality, productivity and resource utilisation.

  “Adding these unique solutions to Vital’s imaging portfolio for the Australian and New Zealand markets will help our customers optimise their imaging investments,” said Ravi Shrestha, PhD, General Manager, Vital Images, ASPAC. “This helps imaging leaders make important decisions based on insights and data from their specific organisations, and we believe knowledge is empowering.”

  About Toshiba
  Toshiba Corporation, a Fortune Global 500 company, channels world-class capabilities in advanced electronic and electrical product and systems into five strategic business domains: Energy & Infrastructure, Community Solutions, Healthcare Systems & Services, Electronic Devices & Components, and Lifestyles Products & Services. Guided by the principles of The Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, “Committed to People, Committed to the Future”, Toshiba promotes global operations towards securing “Growth Through Creativity and Innovation”, and is contributing to the achievement of a world in which people everywhere live in safe, secure and comfortable society.

  Founded in Tokyo in 1875, today’s Toshiba is at the heart of a global network of over 590 consolidated companies employing over 200,000 people worldwide, with annual sales surpassing 6.5 trillion yen (US$63 billion).

  Toshiba Australia’s Medical Division provides industry leading products and service support in modalities where Toshiba is recognised for industry leadership.

  About Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
  Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation is a leading worldwide provider of medical diagnostic imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, such as CT, X-ray and vascular, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and MRI systems, as well as information systems for medical institutions. Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation has been providing medical products for over 80 years. Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toshiba. Visit Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation’s web site at www.toshibamedicalsystems.com/

  About Vital Images, Inc.
  Vital Images, Inc., a Toshiba Medical Systems Group Company, is a leading provider of health imaging informatics solutions, including advanced visualisation, enterprise image viewing solutions and business intelligence technology, designed to help healthcare organisations deliver exceptional care while optimising resources across multi-facility organisations. The company’s solutions are scalable to meet the unique needs of hospitals and imaging centers and are accessible throughout the enterprise anytime and anywhere. For more information, visit www.vitalimages.com or join the conversation on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

  CONTACT VITAL IMAGES:
  Nichole Gerszewski
  1.952.487.9647
  [email protected]
  www.vitalimages.com

  Posted 7.28.2015

• Zynx Health Adds Android Device Support to ZynxCarebook Solution

  Mobile care team coordination platform strengthens safe & timely patient transitions on Android-powered devices

  LOS ANGELES,CA – July 27, 2015 -– Zynx Health™, the market leader in providing evidence- and experience-based clinical improvement solutions, today announced that its ZynxCarebook™ mobile care coordination solution is now available on Android smartphones and tablets. With this expansion, care team members at inpatient and post-care organizations can use ZynxCarebook to securely exchange messages and share assessments on the same patient’s condition, streamline care transitions to other care settings, and improve clinical outcomes using Android as well as iOS mobile devices.

  “The ability to coordinate transitional patient care between interdisciplinary teams working within a hospital as well as in different care settings is a priority for provider organizations and a major step forward in supporting new value-based payment models,” said Siva Subramanian, PhD, senior vice president of mobile products at Zynx Health. “Expanding the ZynxCarebook platform to empower harmonious interactions between Android and iOS users–all while the patient is at the center of care team-based communication–significantly enhances the delivery of quality care, reduces costs, and improves the patient’s overall experience.”

  With ZynxCarebook, care teams are intelligently built around their patients using pick-up, assignment and referral logic that is customized to an organization’s workflow, integrates with Admit Discharge Transfer (ADT) feeds, and is designed to follow the patient at each venue of care. This person-centered approach organizes all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant messages, risk assessments, and discharge plans around the patient, enabling team members to easily access the latest clinical information.

  Evidence-based best practices and risk-based interventions such as those found in Project RED^® and Project BOOST^® can be customized and built into ZynxCarebook workflows, ensuring that patients consistently receive the highest-quality care at the appropriate level of intensity.

  In fact, use of ZynxCarebook has delivered a 22 percent reduction in 30-day all-cause readmission rates and a half-day reduction in average length of stay at Marin General Hospital in Greenbrae, Calif. Positive results were also measured within care teams: Seventy percent of users reported that they could “easily or efficiently contact all members of a patient’s care team to notify them about changes to the discharge plans.” Prior to ZynxCarebook’s implementation, this sentiment was expressed by only about 10 percent of users.

   

  About Zynx Health
  Zynx Health, part of the Hearst Health network, is the pioneer and market leader in evidence- and experience-based clinical improvement and mobile care solutions that provide the care guidance to enhance quality, improve care coordination, and decrease variation across an individual’s health journey. With Zynx Health, healthcare organizations exceed industry demands for delivering high-quality care at lower costs under value-based reimbursement models. Zynx Health partners with healthcare organizations to continuously and measurably improve care every day, for every patient, every time. To learn more, visit zynxhealth.com or call 855.367.ZYNX.

  Posted 7.28.2015

• Huntzinger Management Group Announces Expanded Offerings

  Company reports new line of technology advisory & managed services

  PLAINS, PA – July 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — The Huntzinger Management Group, Inc. (HMG), a leader in healthcare advisory and managed services consulting recently announced an expansion of their Technology Practice with a new line of services. These new services will fall under HMG’s suite of advisory and managed services and will be focused on technology-based functions within healthcare organizations’ IT.

  “We are currently working with and have assisted many clients in assessing their infrastructure strategy and have helped them implement a best practices model for their infrastructure technology,” said Bob Kitts, HMG’s Chief Executive Officer. “It seemed only logical that we package these capabilities and communicate them in a way that better enables us to assist our clients in recognizing maximum value from their IT investment.”

  HMG’s expanded suite of Technology Service Offerings will include:

  • Technical Advisory Services – Assessments, EMR Infrastructure and Technology Program and Project Management
  • Security Services – Policy Development, Security Program Development, Training and Education & Interim Management
  • Operational Improvements – Customer Service, KPI Dashboards, Refresh Cycles, Disaster Recovery & Financial and Business Justification for Upgrades and Expansion
  • End User Services – Device Management, Device Deployment Services and Device Architecture

  Nancy Ripari, Vice President and Partner at HMG continued, “Our clients look to us for help in evaluating and implementing new and advanced solutions to meet their organizations’ strategic initiatives. We’ll continue to shape our services to support our clients with a technology direction that enables them to leverage existing investments while positioning for the future of healthcare and its evolving requirements. Today’s technology decisions are complex; we assist our clients in making the right decisions through evaluation of options available from internally hosted to vendor or cloud based solutions that will meet their organizations’ technical requirements, timelines and financial objectives. Our experts have been CTOs, CISOs, CIOs and vendor executives who understand the challenges and the demands placed on Technical Managers.”

  About Huntzinger Management Group, Inc.
  HMG provides advisory and managed services consulting to the healthcare industry. We focus on clinical and operational business performance optimization by ensuring alignment between IT, clinical and ambulatory areas to position our healthcare clients for the future. For more information, or to learn more about these new offerings, visit www.huntzingergroup.com or call 570.824.4721.

  SOURCE The Huntzinger Management Group, Inc.

  Posted 7.22.2015

• Zynx Health Names Nurse Team & Individual Winners of Inaugural “Clinical Improvement Through Evidence” CITE Award

  Zynx Health recognizes six teams of nurses plus individuals for excellence in use of clinical decision support tools to advance care

  LOS ANGELES,CA – July 21, 2015 —Zynx Health™, the market leader in providing evidence and experience-based clinical improvement and mobile care coordination solutions, announced today the nursing winners of its inaugural 2015 “Clinical Improvement Through Evidence” (CITE) award. The annual CITE award recognizes nurses for excellence in the use of clinical decision support (CDS) solutions to drive improvements in patient care.

  Grant Campbell, MSN, RN, senior director for nursing strategy and informatics at Zynx Health, said, “It was a difficult process choosing our CITE winners from so many impressive submissions. Each nursing professional and team demonstrated remarkable achievements. We’re excited to recognize and congratulate them all for their excellent work using clinical decision support to deliver measurably improved care to their patients.”

  Zynx Health names CITE award winners in the following categories: patient-centered approach, innovative use of CDS, process improvement, and measurable outcomes.

  For patient-centered approach, Zynx recognizes Mercy Medical Center’s Jeannette Jefferies, MS, RN, CCRN, Mary Ann Dipietro, MSN, RN, April Saathoff, MS, RN, CPHIMS, Beth Kilmoyer, DNP, RN-BC, Bobbi Pierre BSN, RN, Elizabeth Soliman, BSN, RN, Kris Olszewski, BSN, RN, Gloria Benton, RN, Jenica Scollan, RN, Ann Willner, RN, Maria Michaels, RN, Kelly Ackerman, RN, and Brittany McCormick, RN. The nursing team used the evidence-based content in ZynxCare^®to build entirely new plans of care to focus on the patient and family rather than the clinician’s workflow. They further designed their plans of care to be used across multiple care disciplines, allowing for better communication between providers and more continuity of care. The results: Patient-specific, appropriate care plan documentation increased from 66 percent to more than 90 percent, evidence-based patient education is now provided to 100 percent of patients, and 90 percent of nurses report high satisfaction with the care plan process.

  For innovative use of CDS, Zynx recognizes Meritage Accountable Care Organization’s Andrea Kmetz, RN, Nhi Train, RN, Theo Wirt, RN, Nazeena Gill, RN, and Dorsa Barzin, RN. This nursing team is an early adopter of ZynxCarebook™, an evidence-based mobile care coordination solution used to improve their communication. The team’s creation of a standardized care process ensured that all Meritage ACO beneficiaries received proper education about their discharge plan, could schedule follow-up visits with their primary care physician, and had adequate safety measures in place at home. The results: A remarkable 10.2 percent 30-day hospital readmission rate for its highest-risk patients, well below the national average of 21 percent for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries.

  For process improvement, Zynx recognizes Erie County Medical Center’sBill Arnold, RN, Lynn Whitehead, RN, and Nicole Knox, RN. This nursing team created a replicable and sustainable process to consistently improve and update their evidence-based plans of care using ZynxCare content. The plans of care are closely monitored to meet standards, and the outcomes are reported monthly for process improvement. The results: More than 97 percent of the plans of care are initiated and updated to reflect changes in patient condition. Appropriate outcomes are identified and prioritized based on assessment data approximately 97 percent of the time.

  For measureable outcomes, Zynx Health recognizes three nursing teams, all of whom generated outstanding outcomes:

  • Monongahela Valley Hospital’s entire Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nursing Team, as well as Cheryl Panza, RN, CMSRN NCIS, and Tricia Golden, RN. To achieve an aggressive goal of zero central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in the ICU, the team researched best practices using ZynxCare evidence and created evidenced-based interventions and protocols to care for these patients. For example, nurses now bathe patients using chlorhexidine-based disinfectants on a daily basis and consolidate lab draws. The results: Monongahela Valley Hospital not only achieved their “stretch” goal of being CLABSI free in the ICU, but has also sustained this outcome for more than two years.

  • Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center’s Traci Navin, RN. Navin created a quality and safety committee that evaluates fallouts in regards to catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), CLABSIs and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). She helped to develop evidence-based nurse driven protocols for removal of Foley catheters and created a decision tree to inform care for hypoglycemic patients. The result: Florida Hospital Memorial has reduced their CAUTIs by 50 percent.

  • Banner Children’s at Cardon Children’s Medical Center’s Kimberly Byrne R., BSN, CPN, AE-C. Byrne assisted in the development of clinical practice guidelines for pediatric patients with asthma and bronchiolitis. These guidelines call for a collaborative approach among physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists to assess and score a child exhibiting either asthma or bronchiolitis symptoms. That score then determines the interventions needed to administer the right care. Results: A decreased asthma length of stay from 2.7 percent in 2011 to 0.9 percent in 2014, and decreased cost per case for asthma from $2,069 in 2010 to $1,419 in 2014.

  Zynx Health awarded an honorable mention to the Harlem Hospital pressure ulcer reduction strategy team for their work implementing evidence-based practices to reduce pressure ulcers.

  About Zynx Health
  Zynx Health, part of the Hearst Health network, is the pioneer and market leader in evidence- and experience-based clinical improvement and mobile care solutions that provide the care guidance to enhance quality, improve care coordination, and decrease variation across an individual’s health journey. With Zynx Health, healthcare organizations exceed industry demands for delivering high-quality care at lower costs under value-based reimbursement models. Zynx Health partners with healthcare organizations to continuously and measurably improve care every day, for every patient, every time. To learn more, visit www.zynxhealth.com or call 855.367.ZYNX.

  About Hearst Health
  Zynx Health is part of the Hearst Health network, which also includes FDB (First Databank), MCG and Homecare Homebase, and Hearst Health International. The mission of the Hearst Health network is to help guide the most important care moments by delivering vital information into the hands of everyone who touches a person’s health journey. Each year in the US, care guidance from the Hearst Health network reaches 84 percent of discharged patients, 174 million insured individuals, 35 million home health visits, and 4 billion prescriptions. Extensions of the Hearst Health network include Hearst Health Ventures and the Hearst Health Innovation Lab. www.hearsthealth.com

  Posted 7.22.2015

• JPS Health Network’s Melinda Yates-Costin and CTG Health Solutions’ Linda Lockwood Co-Speak at SINI 2015

  DALLAS,TX – July 21, 2015

  WHAT:
  Melinda Yates-Costin, CHCIO, FHIMSS, CPHIMS, Vice President and CIO, JPS Health Network and Linda Lockwood, RN, MBA, Solutions Director, Advisory Services, CTG Health Solutions, will lead Track D, including presenting “Key Concepts and Relationships in Data Analytics,” at the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s 2015 Summer Institute in Nursing Informatics (SINI) conference. Yates-Costin and Lockwood will co-present with Ann Tinker, MS, RN. The panel will be moderated by Judy Ozbolt, PhD, RN, FANN, FACMI, FAIMBE.

  TIME/PLACE/REGISTRATION:
  Wednesday, July 22, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm (EDT) ; University of Maryland School of Nursing in downtown Baltimore, Maryland. Click here to register.

  PRESENTATION TOPIC:
  Healthcare organizations are awash in data. Many struggle to obtain answers to key business questions, or to understand how to leverage that data to drive quality and process improvements. There are several reasons attributed to this disconnect, such as a lack of common definitions, and the inability of users to develop their own dashboards and drill-down analytics and proliferation of data silos.

  Participants of the “Key Concepts and Relationships in Data Analytics” panel will discuss the critical need for data governance as a foundational element for analytics, how it relates to the Healthcare Analytic Adoption Model and the key principles required, the guiding principles for big data use in nursing, and a self-assessment to help nurses determine how well they can apply data governance principles to their own organizations. Other sessions in this track will cover two case studies, small group workshops, and lessons learned and takeaways for attendees to apply to their work settings.

  INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY:
  Melinda Yates-Costin, CHCIO, FHIMSS, CPHIMS, Vice President and CIO, JPS Health Network
  Linda Lockwood, RN, MBA, Solutions Director, Advisory Services, CTG Health Solutions

  Pre- and post-event interviews can be arranged. Click here for Yates-Costin’s photo. Click here for Lockwood’s photo.  

  CTG develops innovative IT solutions to address the business needs and challenges of companies in several higher-growth industries including healthcare, technology services, energy, and financial services. Its health IT division, CTG Health Solutions (CTGHS) is a leading information technology consulting firm dedicated solely to helping healthcare institutions, physician practices, payers, and related organizations achieve clinical and financial goals through effective technology and business solutions. Over the last 25 years, CTGHS has provided healthcare IT, and operational and strategic consulting support to more than 700 healthcare organizations. CTG is a publicly-traded IT services and solutions company that was founded in 1966 and operates in North America and Western Europe. For more information, visit www.ctghs.com.

  Posted 7.21.2015

• Scott Pillittere Joins Impact Advisors’ Leadership Team

  Vice President to bring proven revenue cycle delivery skills

  Chicago, IL – July 20, 2015 -– Impact Advisors, LLC, a leading provider of healthcare information technology services, announced today that Scott Pillittere has joined the organization as a Vice President and will be responsible for further enhancing the firm’s revenue cycle management practice.

  In this leadership role, Pillittere will develop and set the strategic direction and go-to-market strategies for the firm’s revenue cycle service offering. In addition, Pillittere will be responsible for business development as well as engagement delivery and oversight with an emphasis on building and growing a sustainable practice.

  “Scott will be a wonderful addition to our leadership and revenue cycle team,” said Peter Smith, CEO and Co-Founder of Impact Advisors. “Scott’s leadership skills combined with his vast knowledge and proven results in the area of revenue cycle management make him an exceptional fit for this role.”

  Pillittere has more than 20 years of healthcare and information technology experience with expertise in large-scale revenue cycle strategies and implementations. He is a proven industry leader in the areas of revenue cycle process redesign, revenue cycle metrics and best practices, optimizing revenue cycle technologies and improving clients’ financial performance and patient satisfaction.

  Prior to accepting the position with Impact Advisors, Pillittere was a Managing Director, Huron Healthcare with the Huron Consulting Group. While in this role, he managed multiple projects including leading a strategic initiative centered on the firm’s revenue cycle solution. In addition, Pillittere was responsible for developing and managing client relationships and identifying and securing new customer accounts.

  Pillittere earned his Masters of Finance from Texas A&M University and his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin. In addition, he is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and is a member of HFMA.

  For more information on Impact Advisors, visit www.impact-advisors.com or visit the company on Facebook.

  About Impact Advisors, LLC
  Impact Advisors, a distinguished healthcare information technology consulting firm, improves its clients’ healthcare delivery through technology. As a trusted healthcare leader, the firm helps hospitals and health systems maximize clinical and operational performance with its Best in KLAS® strategic advisory, implementation and optimization services. Since its inception, Impact Advisors has consulted to more than 140 hospitals and health systems nationally and internationally. The firm has earned a number of industry and workplace quality awards including Best in KLAS® for seven consecutive years, Healthcare Informatics HCI 100, Crain’s Chicago Business Fast Fifty and Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work. For more information about Impact Advisors, visit www.impact-advisors.com.

  Posted 7.20.2015

• John Glaser, PhD, Joins Aventura Board of Directors

  Seasoned Healthcare IT Executive to Lend Expertise &  Counsel
  to Situational Awareness Company

  BOSTON, MA – July 20, 2015 -– Aventura, the leading provider of situational awareness technology for the healthcare industry, today announced the appointment of healthcare veteran John Glaser, PhD, to its board of directors. Glaser is a senior vice president at Cerner Corporation (NASDAQ: CERN), and is responsible for driving its technology and product strategies, interoperability and government policy development. Previously, Glaser was CEO of Siemens Health Services, a company acquired by Cerner in February 2015. “John has spent his career working in and helping to define the healthcare technology space, particularly with respect to interoperability and the technology needed to transform the industry,” said John Gobron, CEO, Aventura. “We are delighted to add John to our board at this stage in our company’s growth and look forward to leveraging his proven experience and knowledge.” 

  Prior to joining Siemens, Glaser was vice president and chief information officer at Partners HealthCare, Inc. Previously, he was vice president, information systems at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Glaser was the founding chairman of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), and is the former chairman of the eHealth Initiative Board and the Board of the National Alliance for Health Information Technology. He is a former senior advisor to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). He is also past president of the Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society (HIMSS), and is a fellow of HIMSS, CHIME, and the American College of Medical Informatics.Aventura situational awareness technology is being utilized across the U.S. by healthcare providers to help address strategic initiatives pertaining to Meaningful Use, Electronic Health Record (EHR) adoption and value-based care. Most recently, the company introduced Sympatica™, a platform for integrating the EHR with third-party applications at the point of care.

  Leveraging Aventura’s awareness computing capabilities, Sympatica delivers patient-centric, contextual views from analytics and performance measurement applications. As a result, relevant and useful clinical information is brought directly to providers in real-time.

  “Situational awareness of the user, patient, location and device type has significant potential to improve care delivery, increase provider productivity and enhance operational efficiency. The introduction of awareness to a clinician’s interaction with an EHR not only brings gains today but also will evolve to transform the user experience and the EHR from a static application to one that is dynamically configured based on context,” said Glaser. “I am looking forward to working with a terrific management team, an exceptional board and a great current and future customer base.”

   

  
  About Aventura
  Aventura is the leading provider of awareness computing for the healthcare industry. For decades, clinicians have had to adapt their workflow to the limitations of computers; with Aventura, computers can now adapt to how clinicians work. Through its patented technology, Aventura delivers awareness of a user’s identity and role, their location within a facility, what device they are working on and what patient they are treating. Based on this awareness, Aventura immediately delivers a virtual desktop and dynamically provisions the applications and exact screens a user needs to care for that particular patient. As a result, Aventura helps customers achieve their important initiatives in the areas of EHR adoption and Meaningful Use requirements, PHI security, mobility and cost containment. Aventura has offices in Denver, COand Westborough, MA. Visit www.aventurahq.com; follow them on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook; or call 888.484.4643 to learn more.

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  Posted 7.20.2015