Christina's Considerations

Healthcare Bloggers for Every Interest

Trusted.MD Network has a pretty nice list of healthcare bloggers who are posting on just about every topic imaginable.  Pay them a visit if you are looking for one that fits with your specific interests and passions. 

ASK FOR THE MONEY!!!!

Martin at Healthcare IT Transitions Group Is known to speak his mind, and did so in their HIT List 2009 on the subject of grant funding for RHIOs and HIE efforts.  He referenced one of Michael's articles in Healthcare Informatics. 

I agree that these foundations should be asked nicely, but more importantly they need to be educated on "why HIE" and "how this impacts their mission to support healthcare or their "community"".  On face value, most private foundations won't understand the link between the technology investment and the patient, program or provider they currently serve.  So, it is the job of the RHIO Executive Director to paint a picture that shows improved access and quality and the direct impact on the patient(s).   

Speaking of pictures, the boys at HIT Transitions Groups are pretty good with cartoons like this one.

Ideal boss or a pickle sucker?

Hospital and Health Networks is currently hosting a weblog from the  Rural Healthcare Leadership Conference.  The wonders of technology are helping to bring the lessons and sparks of knowlege to those of us who could not attend and I'm most impressed by the question of whether we hospital administrators are an ideal boss or a pickle sucker.

I've certainly worked for and with a few pickle suckers in my day and because of this have strived to be an ideal boss -- or at least come as close as I can to to this lofty status.  Great leaders will monitor the actions and behaviors to ensure a toxic culture isn't brewing in their organization, because Michael is correct when he says that what we do and how we lead is directly proportional to the pain and suffering our patients experience.

Shaun White: Boarder and Entrepreneur

I was never really cool until I bought a convertible Beetle and dropped my kids off in the new car for the first time at our local elementary school.  My coolness factor may only be high with a limited and really young crowd, but at least I too can finally feel cool! 

However, some people have the coolness gene when they are young -- like Shaun White the Gold Medal winner in snowboarding at the 2006 Olympics.  My last issue of Fast Company had a great article about Shaun.  Yes, I'm really impressed by his accomplishments on snow and skateboards, but I'm more impressed by his maturity when it comes to money and making decisions for his future.  In my book, he is a cool dude who has a gnarly eye for investment that will produce some awesome results if he stays true to his plan.

Who knows the Burton snowboarding jacket in my daughter's closet just might be from his line.  Either way, I wish him much success as he works his plan and will definitely look up his line at Target the next time I'm there with the kids.

Greatest Healthcare IT Generation

I have to agree with the Geekdoctor that we will be known as the Greatest Healthcare IT Generation because the growth in this area has been the most widespread and focused that I've ever seen.  The amazing thing is that I remember getting my first office computer (as a hospital COO) in the early 1990s and today we are electronically sharing health information between providers.  Who (aside from a few) could have imagined?

I've been a little busy with self-reflection, rejuvenation and a job search, so I really appreciate Dr. Halamka posting on the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Plan,  Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) and Ways and Means Bill.  I'm so glad to see the change in this area continue and look forward to the ride as momentum continues to build. 

And, yes, I can't wait to the day when I think back and remember when we were still trying to find a way to bring all of a patient's health information to the point of care!  Sometimes even I just can't imagine!

Connecting Consumers

Consumers of healthcare are key stakeholders in efforts toward the electronic exchange of health information for patient care decision making.  An opportunity for payors, providers and others to explore the vital role of the consumer will take place in Carlsbad, CA on February 23 and 24th at the World Health Care Congress 2nd Annual Leadership Summit on Consumer Connectivity and Web Empowerment.

Participants will examine technology as a key enabler of system wide reform and identify strategies to revolutionize health care through the integration and adoption of eHealth applications and personal health management tools.  Strategies, such as, web-based technologies, including PHRs, physician/patient portals, social networks, and online decision support tools shift the power in health care to consumers and offer solutions to accelerate quality initiatives, increase access and help control escalating costs.

Please join me in Carlsbad to learn more about these exciting new tools.  And, if you want to save an extra $200 off the current registration rate, contact World Health Care Congress at 800-767-9499 and use promotional code PDG485.

Physician/Patient Online Communication - Does it Pay?

I have a couple of questions for my readers, especially those of you who are physicians. 

• Do you see any benefits of physician and patient online communication?  What are they?

• Is there a direct impact to your bottom line? 

• Does it add value to the services you provide and indirectly benefit your bottom line?

• Do

you currently communicate with your patients online?

I'm interested in your thoughts whether posted as a comment here or sent via email to me at cthielst@cox.net.

The new political landscape and HIE

A couple of months ago I was invited to share my thoughts about the state of affairs of health information exchange (HIE).  Since I was also told that the this first issue of HIMSS HIElights was going to be distributed far and wide to policy makers I thought I'd try to really bring the issue home as it relates to hospital and physician providers.  

If you enjoyed my contribution and agree or disagree, feel free to leave a comment.

One thing I must note is that I'm no longer the COO at Santa Paula Hospital, a campus of Ventura County Medical Center and safety-net provider.  The current financial landscape in California has lead to a re-structuring and the elimination of my position.  While I'm so sad to leave this beautiful "hospital on the hill", I look forward to potentially exciting opportunities in this new year!