Posted by CEP America on Tue, Mar 16, 2010 @ 06:20 PM
By Michael Harrington, CEO, MedAmerica
As the healthcare reform debate continues, the overall complexity of our country's healthcare system seems almost overwhelming. Many healthcare organizations, physician groups, administrators and physicians are frustrated and unsettled by the pending sea change in how the government will fund and support our myriad healthcare programs.
Navigating the healthcare maze is challenging enough. But with total healthcare spending predicted to reach a staggering 20% of the entire US economy by 2017, and with per person healthcare expenditures looking to double during the same period, physicians and medical professionals will be hard pressed to spend quality time with their patients - adding to increased concerns about healthcare quality and safety.
That's why I firmly believe that the importance of a qualified, third party practice management organization has never been greater. To illustrate my point, I've identified the top 5 benefits a practice management organization can offer to health administrators and physician groups:
- Deep understanding of your business - The strength of a practice management organization is that you are working with a team of experienced professionals who understand the healthcare industry. You'll work with people who truly know and understand your business, and will treat you like a partner.
- Efficient and cost effective - Because a group offers comprehensive management specialties under one roof, you'll be able to take advantage of an array of management solutions without having to shop around to several consultants or smaller firms. This "one-stop shopping" approach increases overall efficiency and cost effectiveness.
- Collaboration - Collaboration ensures open lines of communication and a healthy sharing of ideas that lead to high-performance solutions that work for your practice. A practice management organization should be completely in sync with your unique needs.
- Technology - The benefits of a larger practice management organization include Information Technology services that are right for your needs, vs. a cookie cutter approach that may not serve your best interests. Looking toward the future, technology will be playing an ever greater role in maintaining a successful practice.
- Financials - having access to a full scope of financial, billing, reporting, benefits administration, etc. enhances the profitability of your practice. The best practice management firms offer these capabilities and take the burden off of you and your practice to keep up with ever-changing State or Federal mandates.
The bottom line is the healthcare industry isn't going to get any less complicated. The right healthcare practice management organization can really make a difference in running a successful practice. And as I like to say, it allows doctors to do what they do best - practice medicine!
Have any opinions on practice management groups? I'd love to hear them!
Posted by Guest Blogger on Fri, Dec 04, 2009 @ 12:54 PM
By Ellis Weeker, M.D.
As an emergency physician, I know the importance of an emergency department staffed with hard working, conscientious, and skilled Physician Assistants.
That's why in recognition of National Physician Assistant Week, I, along with my emergency physician Partners at CEP America would like to acknowledge the very significant contributions PAs have made - and continue to make - in our organization.
I speak for my fellow Partners who join me in recognizing our Physician Assistants as valuable healthcare professionals and colleagues who play a vital role in providing the highest-quality care in our EDs. We couldn't do what we do without them.
So on the occasion of National Physician Assistant Week, I want to acknowledge our PAs for being the best PAs we have ever worked with - and to thank them for their continued hard work, commitment, and dedication. Please join me in recognizing their important contributions.
Posted by Guest Blogger on Fri, Dec 04, 2009 @ 12:45 PM
By Chris Hannan
As a healthcare marketing professional, "better communication" and "technology" are certainly terms that I use every day. As a proponent of finding and leveraging better ways to communicate, I'm intrigued by how the latest communications technologies are making their way into healthcare delivery - all the way to the OR in some cases.
It's fascinating but at the same time, I wonder if we're utilizing Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and the Web etc. in ways that make sense on a business and patient-care level.
Can a web site help solve overcrowding problems in an emergency department? Some hospitals are posting their emergency room wait times on a web page. While there are many benefits to keeping the public informed - what happens if a patient shows up and has to wait 5 minutes longer than the posted wait time - does this lead to improved quality care or a better patient experience- or more stress for all involved?
Another example of new technology in the OR comes to us from Des Moines Iowa, where a 70-year-old patient's children followed her hysterectomy and uterine prolapse surgery progress via Twitter. A hospital staffer sent more than 300 tweets over more than three hours from a computer just outside the operating room. Nearly 700 people followed them. Eight people tweeted questions to the staffer. Is this a good thing, or is it just that, thanks to Twitter, it's possible to tweet about virtually anything?
What do you think about these growing trends? What kinds of technologies do you see in your ER or hospital? Is it too much information? A fad that will pass? Or a prelude of things to come?
Posted by Guest Blogger on Thu, Dec 03, 2009 @ 11:10 AM
By Chris Hannan
Technological innovations are nothing new in the medical field. But like many other business categories these days, new technologies in the form of electronic "social media", such as blogs (like this one!), Youtube, Facebook and Twitter are becoming part of the lexicon of many hospitals and medical practioners.
The fact is, an increasing number of people in medicine are using social networking to discuss medical topics, talk about hospitals, provide opinions, ask questions, look for jobs, keep in touch with past colleagues - you name it. To see how, spend a few minutes with this article that discusses how many medical facilities are climbing aboard the new media bandwagon: http://tinyurl.com/caed8g
Earlier this month, Medimix International, provider of advanced marketing research solutions for the healthcare industry, released info on its recent study that shows that physicians are increasingly using social networking sites like Facebook to communicate and collaborate with their peers. It makes for some interesting reading: http://tinyurl.com/caed8g
This video, now on Youtube, was originally broadcast on ABC News. It shows doctors doing a knee replacement procedure on a woman, while also Tweeting to colleagues during the surgery in real time. Sounds hard to believe? See the video and you decide: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=7347728&page=1
These are just a few examples of how various forms of social media are quickly becoming commonplace. While many may hear the words "social media" and think of teenagers texting away for hours, the fact is, online networking sites such as Linkedin, Facebook, and others are being used regularly by millions of professionals. And the average user age is 41 years old. So if you haven't already, you might find it interesting to get acquainted with these evolving forms of business communication. As they say, "the horse is out of the barn" - so why not climb on board and take the ride!
If you have an intriguing link about healthcare innovation-send it along - we'll share it with others here...
Posted by Guest Blogger on Wed, Dec 02, 2009 @ 12:27 PM
By Joel A. Stettner, M.D.
From my viewpoint, it's clear that President Obama's drive for healthcare reform is gaining momentum. I don't think a day goes by without a reminder from him or his administration that reform must be done soon in order to rescue the American economy.
For those of us practicing emergency medicine on the front lines, it's easy to see the myriad of issues that need to be addressed; ranging from providing basic insurance coverage for the millions of Americans who lack it, as well as fixing the inequities that exist almost everywhere in coverage and access.
So, a few thoughts as the train picks up both speed and passengers on its way to an unknown final destination:
Who do we trust? The "industry" has pledged 2 trillion in savings over 10 years, but I don't see how food fights can be avoided in delivering on this laudable goal. My experience suggests that the "industry" is fragmented, driven by myriad special interests, and without a universal voice backed by authority. So who carries the water for the train?
Where do we start? Healthcare is years behind other industries in adopting useful information technology. Residencies seem to be training fewer physicians in needed specialty areas. Hospitals are often at near-capacity with very few new facilities on the drawing board. And there is little coordinated effort to allocate resources even as the remaining strands of the "safety net" are unraveling. So how is the direction of our train set?
What about Medicare and Medicaid? New projections suggest "bankruptcy" within a few years, thanks to the recession and to folks who are part of my Baby Boomer generation. So these Federal programs will need to be resuscitated with taxpayer dollars, which have to come from our decimated economy. Or perhaps from future generations who hopefully will benefit from a new approach. So where do we get the financial fuel to keep the train moving?
Please don't get me wrong. I'm a firm believer in the need for reforming our creaking system. But 35 years as a practicing clinician and medical group leader have left me with a healthy dose of skepticism. I'm almost ready to get on board, but I want to be sure we stay on the tracks! I'd love to hear your opinions - pro or con!