The digital health space refers to the integration of technology and health care services to improve the overall quality of health care delivery. It encompasses a wide range of innovative and emerging technologies such as wearables, telehealth, artificial intelligence, mobile health, and electronic health records (EHRs). The digital health space offers numerous benefits such as improved patient outcomes, increased access to health care, reduced costs, and improved communication and collaboration between patients and health care providers. For example, patients can now monitor their vital signs such as blood pressure and glucose levels from home using wearable devices and share the data with their doctors in real-time. Telehealth technology allows patients to consult with their health care providers remotely without having to travel to the hospital, making health care more accessible, particularly in remote or rural areas. Artificial intelligence can be used to analyze vast amounts of patient data to identify patterns, predict outcomes, and provide personalized treatment recommendations. Overall, the digital health space is rapidly evolving, and the integration of technology in health

Friday, April 11, 2014

Meaning Use, Patient Portal: Engaged Patients and More :

The Patient Portal: Meaningful Use, Engaged Patients & More
Successfully Implement Patient Portal For MU2

Practices that have invested time and money in choosing, implementing, and converting to electronic health records are ready to reap the benefits—and patients portals are an important key to success. A well-implemented patient portal will help you achieve Meaningful Use incentives AND improve patient engagement and compliance while also simplifying time-consuming office tasks like reporting lab results and medical records requests. In addition to the financial and workflow benefits, patients are actually eager to connect with their physicians electronically. You just need to know how to make it all happen!

Laurie Morgan of Kareo suggests these strategies to help you.

  1. Successfully implement your patient portal
  2. Improve patient engagement, compliance, and outcomes
  3. Meet some requirements to attest for Stage 2 of Meaningful Use


Wednesday, April 16, 2014
1:00 PM Eastern, 10:00 AM Pacific

Although some practices have offered patient portals to their patients, the acceptance and utilization rates are poor.  This seems to be a unique issue for health care providers. It may be due to one of these, or all of the reasons listed here.

1. Poor education and/or training.

In most other industries computer registration is common, and access for information, trouble shooting and/or questions are done through a portal. Often times new patients (and old) are left to their own devices.

Remedies can include information printed on your practice brochure, with brief instructions on accessing the link, and selecting a password. This can also be mailed with the monthly statement, or an email blast to patients who have an email. Followup is essential via email.  Telephone waiting trees can also be used to inform patients while they wait on hold. Include something like this,

“If you prefer you can wait on hold or if you wish go to our web site to make appointments, select a refill or leave a question. Replies are usually made the same day.”

Portals should reduce the work load at the front desk and throughout the practice.  The patient can be sent a confirmation via email (if HIPAA secure)

Portals will be required for meaningful use attestation in Stage II requirements for attestation and incentives from Medicare.


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