U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and U.K. Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt signed a bi-lateral agreement this morning for the use and sharing of health IT information and tools. The historic agreement between the U.S. and U.K. strengthens efforts to increase the use of health IT tools […]
Archive for the ‘Blog’ Category
Physician Data Analytics and 2014 Challenges – Part 1
Last year, I wrote several blogs on physician data analytics – basic framework, questions to ask, why do it, key problems, support for a new payment model, where to start, benefits, relationship to meaningful use (MU), population health, patient health, mobile health, stages of progress and what it can mean for your practice. As 2014 […]
Texas Health Resources’ CEO Doug Hawthorne to step down
Texas Health Resources’ CEO Douglas D. Hawthorne will step down from his role by the end of this year, the health system announced today. “For 43 years, my family and I have been blessed to serve Texas Health Resources,” said Hawthorne in a letter to the board and other leaders of Texas Health. “This has […]
Mark your calendars for April 22 Employee of the Year Luncheon
The Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation’s 18th Annual Employee of the Year Luncheon has been scheduled for April 22, 2014 in the ballroom of the Irving Convention Center. Winners will be announced from a pool of more than 100 nominees. Nominee forms will be distributed to hospitals later this month. For information, please contact Chris […]
Texas to implement an All-Payer Claims Database
You may be scratching your head and asking “What is an All-Payer Claims Database (APCD)?” It is a large-scale database that collects health care data from many payer sources. It includes claims from hospitals, physician offices, pharmacies and labs. It is typically created under a state mandate and in Texas that would be Senate Bill […]
Workforce provides update on regional collaborative
As we close out the year, we would like to give a summary of the 2013 Regional Healthcare Workforce Planning Collaborative here in North Texas. Project Background The Regional Healthcare Workforce Planning Collaborative consist of the regional coordinator, the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation (DFWHC Foundation) Workforce Center; software vendor Orca Eyes; participating hospitals, Baylor […]
One size does not fit all!
When did it ever become the popular notion that one size fits all? Almost everyone at some point or another has been in an uncomfortable situation. Choosing between one’s conscience or belief can make the job very stressful. In the clinical setting, best practices dictate certain steps called core measures be followed to the letter […]
North Texas health workforce gets a major boost
As the conversation continues from the “C-Suite” to the nursing unit and all points in between, it is clear there needs to be a boost in the healthcare workforce. This need to find qualified healthcare professionals is urgent. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has taken steps to ensure this need is met […]
Physician Data Analytics – The Stages of Data Progression
Last month, I discussed how mobile patient monitoring could fit into your physician data analytics program. So, if you were to do this, what are the typical stages in this process? If you have been participating in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Meaningful Use (MU) incentive program, the overall focus has been […]
NTREC to host two webinars in early 2014
Teaming with the regional extension centers of Texas, the North Texas Regional Extension Center (NTREC) will be hosting two free educational webinars in early 2014. The first webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, January 14 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Titled “Stage 2 Changes – Core, Menu measures and how CQMs will be handled,” the […]