January 2010 Entries
What you Do Not Know about Healthcare IT and Meaningful Use Will Cost you Dearly - Part One - January 11, 2010
Orlando Florida -- The massive new federal rule issued last week by the CMS has been getting most of the attention in the healthcare information technology community because it sets the meaningful-use criteria healthcare providers must meet to leverage billions of dollars in federal subsidies to purchase electronic health-record systems under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, known as the stimulus law. Most people do not remember this was a law signed in 2004 by the Bush Adminstration, to get Doctor's office to start sharing healthcare records.
Still, a smaller, companion rule also released on the same day by the Office of the National Coordinator at HHS packs a lot of IT wallop.
The stimulus law requires the national coordinator, in consultation with the director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to “keep or recognize a program or programs for the voluntary certification of health IT as being in compliance with applicable certification criteria adopted” by HHS. And, according to ONC rule writers, HHS is obliged under the stimulus law to adopt standards, implementation specifications and certification criteria that will “enhance the interoperability, functionality, utility and security of health information technology," says Brian J. McCarthy CEO from Sencilo HealthIT Solutions from Lake Mary, FL.
This same set of standards, implementation specifications and certification criteria were mandated by law to be produced by HHS before the end of 2009. The ONC beat the deadline with a day to spare, releasing them in a 136-page “interim final rule” on Dec. 30, 2009.
The ONC rule isn't expected to be officially published in the Federal Register until Jan. 13. It becomes effective 30 days after that. Public comments, however, will be accepted on the ONC rulemakers' handiwork for 60 days after official publication.
Here's how the CMS and the ONC rules are intertwined.
While providers must “meaningfully use” their subsidized EHRs, the systems themselves have to be “qualified” under a definition in the stimulus law and “certified” against criteria established through federal rulemaking by a certification organization “recognized” by the ONC.
Yet even after nearly 700 pages of new rules, another ONC rulemaking will be required. It will cover how certification bodies are recognized by the ONC.
“There will be a certification process,” ONC head David Blumenthal said during a public question-and-answer session when the two rules by the CMS and the ONC were released. The certification process “will be the subject of a second (ONC) rule which we hope to issue shortly. That will make clear how the process of certification will proceed.” That process will include how the ONC will go about vetting and “recognizing” an organization, or organizations, to do the testing and certification of EHR systems to meet the standards in the new rules.
ONC rulemakers noted there is nothing new about HHS anointing EHR certification organizations.
In 2006, CMS promulgated rules for an exception to the Stark law prohibition against hospitals compensating physicians in return for patient referrals.
Simultaneously, HHS' inspector general's office produced a waiver of the federal anti-kickback statute. Both the exemption and the waiver applied if a hospital, following the new guidelines, subsidized the cost of an EHR for an affiliated physician. The 2006 guidelines required that to qualify for the waivers, hospitals must provide an EHR that had been certified as “interoperable” by a certifying body “recognized” by the HHS secretary.
At the time, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt recognized the not-for-profit Certification Commission for Health Information Technology and its testing criteria as qualifying under the CMS and inspector general rules.
For more information please call (407) 641-5199 or visit us at: http://www.sencilo.com let us "uncomplexify your Health Information Technology.
Why Sencilo HealthIT Solutions
When it comes to your healthcare computing needs, Sencilo HealthIT Solutions's main objective is to provide a turnkey solution that can essentially sustain itself. When you choose Sencilo HealthIT Solutions, you don't just gain a vendor who provides you with technology. You get a business partner who walks with you through every step of the process
Sencilo HealthIT Solutions eHealthcare Architecture: More than technology
With Sencilo HealthIT Solutions eHealthcare Architecture, you can leverage the same productivity tools and technology resources that have transformed business. And you get a full portfolio of services too. By working with Sencilo HealthIT Solutions, you can get:
A dedicated customer team
A website customized for your institution
A full portfolio of robust solutions
Easy setup, implementation and maintenance
Simple ordering and delivery
Technology training
Flexible financing options
Sencilo HealthIT Solutions Professional Services makes it easy
In addition to providing high-quality technology at a low cost, Sencilo HealthIT Solutions Professional Services can help you plan your healthcare computing from the ground up. By working with you from the initial construction phases, we can help you save time and money ÂÂand lead to a truly customized solution.
Sencilo HealthIT Solutions Professional Services offers complete services that include:
Design
Procurement
Installation
Training
Maintenance
Support
About Us
Sencilo HealthIT Solutions is a Florida-based integrator specializing in EHR Cost Cutting storage, security and managed services solutions. Sencilo delivers a comprehensive portfolio of products from best-of-breed hardware and software from multiple manufacturers including Allscripts, VMware, Dell Fujitsu Data Domain, EMC, Hitachi, Symantec, HDS, IBM, Commvault, Xiotech and HP.
Sencilo has offices throughout Florida including: Orlando Lake Mary Daytona, Medical City
solutions include BC DR planning Replication De-Dup De-Dupe iSCSI SAN NAS VMware Security "meaningful use" "meaningful usage" EMC NetApp HP IBM Quantum Compliance VTL Data Domain vs Gartner Magic Quadrant Quadrent LTO Network Backup appliance Data Recovery Backup Health IT Healthcare IT Digital Hospital Allscripts Patient Data electronic health record P4P rules and the HITECH Act PayerView Rankings practice management tools $44,000 in Medicare or $66,000 in Medicaid from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act eClinicalWorks, Allscripts, NextGen, GE Centricity, and Meditech Electronic Healthcare IT Medical Records EHREHR Clinical Practices eClinicalWorks Allscripts Florida EMR, EHR, electronic medical record, health, records, practice management systems solutions, medication services, PHR Otolaryngology, Orthopaedics, Pain Nuerosurgery, Urology, Ophthalmology, Cardiology, Billing, Appointment Scheduling, clinicalworks, eClinicalWorks, solutions for physicians, hospitals, clinical education and medical services Computerized Patient CPR, Order Entry, CPOE, Document Clinical Information Informatics, Computer-based, SOAP, HIT, Healthcare Encounter Forms, web based, online, clinical rules database, electronic prescribing, e-prescribing, eprescribing, athenaClinicals, certified EMR, certified EHR, HITECH Act VAR Reseller Dealer hipaa privacy doctor, healthcare performance management, data security, hosting, arra, free, InterFAX, MyWay, HIPPA, EasyPayMedicare, MedicAID, SureScripts, FNC, billing, superbill iMedica Tiger on Windows, eprescribe pqri simple practice management revenue cycle e-cw e-clinicalworks greenway emds nextgen ge sage athena epic klas Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition Google Health, Microsoft Healthvault Health Internet certified proposed “meaningful use”
Uncomplexifying "Meaningful Use" in Healthcare IT for Practitioners - January 11, 2010
Orlando Florida -- With the long-awaited release of HHS’ proposed “meaningful use” guidelines for health IT, many of the nation’s healthcare practitioners will be focusing for quite some time on how, or even whether, they can meet federal requirements in order to qualify for the incentive payments promised under the HITECH provisions of the ARRA, says Brian J. McCarthy, CEO of Sencilo HealthIT Solutions and well known speaker on the subject.
But as healthcare providers work to align their IT systems with the expectations of federal policymakers, those same policymakers need to keep testing those expectations against the reality of what is taking place across the healthcare sector, says McCarthy.
Two recent stories point to the need for policymakers to remain flexible when it comes to the HIT puzzle.
First is the announcement of a report by the Center for Studying Health System Change which points to a gap “between policymakers’ expectations that electronic medical records can improve coordination of patient care and clinicians’ real-world experiences. . .”
According to the study, there are a number of areas where providers feel the design of EMRs need to be improved if they are to have the effect policymakers are after. For example, as currently configured, “EMRs may have unintended consequences for care coordination, such as creating information overload that complicates providers’ efforts to discern key clinical information.”
Meanwhile, other observers are commenting on trends in the implementation of EMRs which may ultimately impede progress toward the goal of using new health IT to improve patient care.
Specifically, this former CIO has noticed a move within hospitals away from catering to the IT goals of specific departments and toward a “one-size-fits all” mentality which may or not improve the overall care provided.
An undertaking as large as moving an entire sector toward a new generation of technology is bound to move, at best, in fits and starts. That said, however, federal policymakers hoping to encourage and enhance a sector-wide shift need to remain mindful of what change really looks like on the ground.
Otherwise, they’ll be making policy for the world as they wish it were, and not as it really is.
For more information please call (407) 641-5199 or visit us at: http://www.sencilo.com let us "uncomplexify your Health Information Technology.
Why Sencilo HealthIT Solutions
When it comes to your healthcare computing needs, Sencilo HealthIT Solutions's main objective is to provide a turnkey solution that can essentially sustain itself. When you choose Sencilo HealthIT Solutions, you don't just gain a vendor who provides you with technology. You get a business partner who walks with you through every step of the process
Sencilo HealthIT Solutions eHealthcare Architecture: More than technology
With Sencilo HealthIT Solutions eHealthcare Architecture, you can leverage the same productivity tools and technology resources that have transformed business. And you get a full portfolio of services too. By working with Sencilo HealthIT Solutions, you can get:
A dedicated customer team
A website customized for your institution
A full portfolio of robust solutions
Easy setup, implementation and maintenance
Simple ordering and delivery
Technology training
Flexible financing options
Sencilo HealthIT Solutions Professional Services makes it easy
In addition to providing high-quality technology at a low cost, Sencilo HealthIT Solutions Professional Services can help you plan your healthcare computing from the ground up. By working with you from the initial construction phases, we can help you save time and money ÂÂand lead to a truly customized solution.
Sencilo HealthIT Solutions Professional Services offers complete services that include:
Design
Procurement
Installation
Training
Maintenance
Support
About Us
Sencilo HealthIT Solutions is a Florida-based integrator specializing in EHR Cost Cutting storage, security and managed services solutions. Sencilo delivers a comprehensive portfolio of products from best-of-breed hardware and software from multiple manufacturers including Allscripts, VMware, Dell Fujitsu Data Domain, EMC, Hitachi, Symantec, HDS, IBM, Commvault, Xiotech and HP.
Sencilo has offices throughout Florida including: Orlando Lake Mary Daytona, Medical City
solutions include BC DR planning Replication De-Dup De-Dupe iSCSI SAN NAS VMware Security "meaningful use" "meaningful usage" EMC NetApp HP IBM Quantum Compliance VTL Data Domain vs Gartner Magic Quadrant Quadrent LTO Network Backup appliance Data Recovery Backup Health IT Healthcare IT Digital Hospital Allscripts Patient Data electronic health record P4P rules and the HITECH Act PayerView Rankings practice management tools $44,000 in Medicare or $66,000 in Medicaid from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act eClinicalWorks, Allscripts, NextGen, GE Centricity, and Meditech Electronic Healthcare IT Medical Records EHREHR Clinical Practices eClinicalWorks Allscripts Florida EMR, EHR, electronic medical record, health, records, practice management systems solutions, medication services, PHR Otolaryngology, Orthopaedics, Pain Nuerosurgery, Urology, Ophthalmology, Cardiology, Billing, Appointment Scheduling, clinicalworks, eClinicalWorks, solutions for physicians, hospitals, clinical education and medical services Computerized Patient CPR, Order Entry, CPOE, Document Clinical Information Informatics, Computer-based, SOAP, HIT, Healthcare Encounter Forms, web based, online, clinical rules database, electronic prescribing, e-prescribing, eprescribing, athenaClinicals, certified EMR, certified EHR, HITECH Act VAR Reseller Dealer hipaa privacy doctor, healthcare performance management, data security, hosting, arra, free, InterFAX, MyWay, HIPPA, EasyPayMedicare, MedicAID, SureScripts, FNC, billing, superbill iMedica Tiger on Windows, eprescribe pqri simple practice management revenue cycle e-cw e-clinicalworks greenway emds nextgen ge sage athena epic klas Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition Google Health, Microsoft Healthvault Health Internet certified proposed “meaningful use”
CVS Caremark jumps on Allscripts MyWay for e-prescribing - January 8, 2010
Orlando Florida -- CVS Caremark Corp. said Thursday it will partner with electronic health records maker Allscripts-Misys Healthcare Solutions Inc., and begin switching clients to Allscripts' e-prescribing tool.
CVS said it will stop offering its iScribe prescription tool and transition thousands of clients to products made by Allscripts. E-prescribing allows physicians to send prescriptions directly to a pharmacy by e-mail, and gives the physician information about potential drug interactions and the patient's health insurance. They can also use it to follow up with patients about unfilled prescriptions.
CVS, of Woonsocket, R.I., said current iScribe users will have the opportunity to switch to a full electronic health record system made by Allscripts. That would allow the customers to qualify for up to $64,000 in federal economic stimulus funding starting in 2011.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
CVS runs more than 7,000 drugstores, along with the Caremark pharmacy benefits management business, which handles drug benefits for plans sponsors and beneficiaries.
In afternoon trading, CVS stock rose 81 cents, or 2.5 percent, to $33.37. Shares of Chicago-based Allscripts lost 10 cents to $19.58.
For more information please call (407) 641-5199 or visit us at: http://www.sencilo.com
Why Sencilo HealthIT Solutions
When it comes to your healthcare computing needs, Sencilo HealthIT Solutions's main objective is to provide a turnkey solution that can essentially sustain itself. When you choose Sencilo HealthIT Solutions, you don't just gain a vendor who provides you with technology. You get a business partner who walks with you through every step of the process
Sencilo HealthIT Solutions eHealthcare Architecture: More than technology
With Sencilo HealthIT Solutions eHealthcare Architecture, you can leverage the same productivity tools and technology resources that have transformed business. And you get a full portfolio of services too. By working with Sencilo HealthIT Solutions, you can get:
A dedicated customer team
A website customized for your institution
A full portfolio of robust solutions
Easy setup, implementation and maintenance
Simple ordering and delivery
Technology training
Flexible financing options
Sencilo HealthIT Solutions Professional Services makes it easy
In addition to providing high-quality technology at a low cost, Sencilo HealthIT Solutions Professional Services can help you plan your healthcare computing from the ground up. By working with you from the initial construction phases, we can help you save time and money ÂÂand lead to a truly customized solution.
Sencilo HealthIT Solutions Professional Services offers complete services that include:
Design
Procurement
Installation
Training
Maintenance
Support
About Us
Sencilo HealthIT Solutions is a Florida-based integrator specializing in EHR Cost Cutting storage, security and managed services solutions. Sencilo delivers a comprehensive portfolio of products from best-of-breed hardware and software from multiple manufacturers including Allscripts, VMware, Dell Fujitsu Data Domain, EMC, Hitachi, Symantec, HDS, IBM, Commvault, Xiotech and HP.
Sencilo has offices throughout Florida including: Orlando Lake Mary Daytona, Medical City
solutions include BC DR planning Replication De-Dup De-Dupe iSCSI SAN NAS VMware Security "meaningful use" "meaningful usage" EMC NetApp HP IBM Quantum Compliance VTL Data Domain vs Gartner Magic Quadrant Quadrent LTO Network Backup appliance Data Recovery Backup Health IT Healthcare IT Digital Hospital Allscripts Patient Data electronic health record P4P rules and the HITECH Act PayerView Rankings practice management tools $44,000 in Medicare or $66,000 in Medicaid from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act eClinicalWorks, Allscripts, NextGen, GE Centricity, and Meditech Electronic Healthcare IT Medical Records EHREHR Clinical Practices eClinicalWorks Allscripts Florida EMR, EHR, electronic medical record, health, records, practice management systems solutions, medication services, PHR Otolaryngology, Orthopaedics, Pain Nuerosurgery, Urology, Ophthalmology, Cardiology, Billing, Appointment Scheduling, clinicalworks, eClinicalWorks, solutions for physicians, hospitals, clinical education and medical services Computerized Patient CPR, Order Entry, CPOE, Document Clinical Information Informatics, Computer-based, SOAP, HIT, Healthcare Encounter Forms, web based, online, clinical rules database, electronic prescribing, e-prescribing, eprescribing, athenaClinicals, certified EMR, certified EHR, HITECH Act VAR Reseller Dealer hipaa privacy doctor, healthcare performance management, data security, hosting, arra, free, InterFAX, MyWay, HIPPA, EasyPayMedicare, MedicAID, SureScripts, FNC, billing, superbill iMedica Tiger on Windows, eprescribe pqri simple practice management revenue cycle e-cw e-clinicalworks greenway emds nextgen ge sage athena epic klas Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition Google Health, Microsoft Healthvault Health Internet certified
To Host or Use Web-based EHR software, that is the Question? - January 8, 2010
Orlando Florida -- If the choice between client / server based or hosted web-based EMR and EMR system, which would be the best choice for you?
See in these difficult economic times, physicians are increasingly faced with this crucial issue, which requires a decision.
For starters, it's a good idea to ensure that you understand what both terms mean. Client-server based EMR systems are the most popular and that is where the program will be hosted on theWebsite of the supplier. On the other hand, ASP or Web-EMR system, as the name suggests is based hosted from a third party through the Internet.
In reality, both systems have their advantages and disadvantages, the doctor has to examine carefully in order to be able to make an informed decision.
There is no doubt that the control is always much more with an EMR system client. It's faster and not rely exclusively on the Internet, which can access patient data. However, there is a priceBusinesses must pay, and it starts with the initial investment is much higher, yes, to a server and software outright purchase. In addition, remote access to your records EMR when you are away from the clinic is limited and usually much more complex the case would be with a web-based system.
On the other hand, means a web-based electronic medical records system that dramatically reduces costs. Not only for the initial configuration, but also for maintenancebecause the professional hosting service provider is to maintain and you have no costs in this context. Not to mention the online backup service that is available for your enjoyment. And it's always possible to access data from anywhere in the world until you have an Internet connection, one of the biggest plus is another web-based system.
But in this the greatest strength is also its greatest weakness. And that is the fact that access is fullydepends on a sense of the Internet, that is, access in some areas simply not be possible. Then there are the normal risks that go with the web-based systems. For example, the data may eventually be completely inaccessible if the hosting company online is belly up.
All these factors must be evaluated and taken into consideration before making a decision. There, much will depend on your practice, what you want to do with it and, of course, availableBudget.
For more information please call (407) 641-5199 or visit us at: http://www.sencilo.com
Why Sencilo HealthIT Solutions
When it comes to your healthcare computing needs, Sencilo HealthIT Solutions's main objective is to provide a turnkey solution that can essentially sustain itself. When you choose Sencilo HealthIT Solutions, you don't just gain a vendor who provides you with technology. You get a business partner who walks with you through every step of the process
Sencilo HealthIT Solutions eHealthcare Architecture: More than technology
With Sencilo HealthIT Solutions eHealthcare Architecture, you can leverage the same productivity tools and technology resources that have transformed business. And you get a full portfolio of services too. By working with Sencilo HealthIT Solutions, you can get:
A dedicated customer team
A website customized for your institution
A full portfolio of robust solutions
Easy setup, implementation and maintenance
Simple ordering and delivery
Technology training
Flexible financing options
Sencilo HealthIT Solutions Professional Services makes it easy
In addition to providing high-quality technology at a low cost, Sencilo HealthIT Solutions Professional Services can help you plan your healthcare computing from the ground up. By working with you from the initial construction phases, we can help you save time and money ÂÂand lead to a truly customized solution.
Sencilo HealthIT Solutions Professional Services offers complete services that include:
Design
Procurement
Installation
Training
Maintenance
Support
About Us
Sencilo HealthIT Solutions is a Florida-based integrator specializing in EHR Cost Cutting storage, security and managed services solutions. Sencilo delivers a comprehensive portfolio of products from best-of-breed hardware and software from multiple manufacturers including Allscripts, VMware, Dell Fujitsu Data Domain, EMC, Hitachi, Symantec, HDS, IBM, Commvault, Xiotech and HP.
Sencilo has offices throughout Florida including: Orlando Lake Mary Daytona, Medical City
solutions include BC DR planning Replication De-Dup De-Dupe iSCSI SAN NAS VMware Security "meaningful use" "meaningful usage" EMC NetApp HP IBM Quantum Compliance VTL Data Domain vs Gartner Magic Quadrant Quadrent LTO Network Backup appliance Data Recovery Backup Health IT Healthcare IT Digital Hospital Allscripts Patient Data electronic health record P4P rules and the HITECH Act PayerView Rankings practice management tools $44,000 in Medicare or $66,000 in Medicaid from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act eClinicalWorks, Allscripts, NextGen, GE Centricity, and Meditech Electronic Healthcare IT Medical Records EHREHR Clinical Practices eClinicalWorks Allscripts Florida EMR, EHR, electronic medical record, health, records, practice management systems solutions, medication services, PHR Otolaryngology, Orthopaedics, Pain Nuerosurgery, Urology, Ophthalmology, Cardiology, Billing, Appointment Scheduling, clinicalworks, eClinicalWorks, solutions for physicians, hospitals, clinical education and medical services Computerized Patient CPR, Order Entry, CPOE, Document Clinical Information Informatics, Computer-based, SOAP, HIT, Healthcare Encounter Forms, web based, online, clinical rules database, electronic prescribing, e-prescribing, eprescribing, athenaClinicals, certified EMR, certified EHR, HITECH Act VAR Reseller Dealer hipaa privacy doctor, healthcare performance management, data security, hosting, arra, free, InterFAX, MyWay, HIPPA, EasyPayMedicare, MedicAID, SureScripts, FNC, billing, superbill iMedica Tiger on Windows, eprescribe pqri simple practice management revenue cycle e-cw e-clinicalworks greenway emds nextgen ge sage athena epic klas Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition Google Health, Microsoft Healthvault Health Internet certified
