Christina's Considerations

Make Wellness a Brand

I read my latest issue of HealthLeaders and came across a friend included in the article on Wellness:  The Way to a Healthy Bottom Line.  Ray Hino is a Critical Access Hospital administrator and a fellow blogger. 

I liked the story about how his small facility is being creative about their role in the community and finding ways to benefit from local tourism.  Mendocino is a beautiful natural area and I can see the benefit of combining wellness activities with a vacation to the area. 

Hmmmm, now that gives me an idea for my next vacation!  I've been wanting to get up to the Northern CA coast and could probably benefit from some wellness activities!

Letting go and dying in real peace!

I had some time before heading off to the nursery today and thought I'd visit some of my blogroll and came across a wonderful, open and honest opinion about one of the most difficult subjects in healthcare -- when it is time to let go.  Visit McLeod or the New Yorker article directly.

This isn't something I can summarize or cover highlights!  You just need to read it -- 14 pages in all.

By the way, I got some really cool succulent's for my garden!  If I had terminal cancer, I'd rather be out buying cool new plants for my garden!

Telehealth in California

The California Telehealth Network was lauched this week and it will be the largest in the Country.  It will connect over 800 California healthcare providers in underserved areas to a state- and nation-wide broadband network dedicated to healthcare.  This has been in the making for a while and the launch is pretty big news for California and telehealth, which includes telemedicine and remote monitoring.

Disaster Hero

While a great deal of my professional interest these days is in telehealth, I still maintain involvement in local disaster preparedness and response.  And, as I've noted before, being prepared in the hospital means making sure those around us (employees, volunteers, medical staff and their families) are prepared.  I also like to see the community-at-large being prepared, because that helps, too.

So, a new resource will be available for kids (and I bet a few adults) to test their survival know-how with a new game that simulates dire scenarios, such as earthquakes, floods, tornadoes and hurricanes.  Disaster Hero will be available in 2011 thanks to the American College of Emergency Physicians and funding from the US Department of Homeland Security.  Players will also be able to learn preparedness skills and first-aid tips thanks to those who see the results of a disaster first-hand. 

Staff Fired for Posting Pictures of a Dying Patient to Facebook

Here is a story that should get just about anyone worked up.  It certainly has gotten me a bit upset.

http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/facebook-firings-photos-dying-patient-get-four-hospital-workers-fired-three-disciplined/2010-0?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

I have to say that this is the best reason I've ever seen for why hospitals need a social media policy and to follow it up with staff orientation and education.  Just as we educate our staff on our compliance and safety policies each year, we should be clearly explaining our expectations as it relates to social networking. 

Now, I don't know if this hospital had a policy and if they indeed have oriented their staff to it.  If they did, then there isn't much more they could have done with these staff.  Sometimes, people just don't get it.

So, check and see if your organization has a policy and whether or not all staff have been oriented and understand your expectations.  If you need some help, visit the examples I've included in my book's online companion.  And,read the book -- it really will help our healthcare leaders prepare for this new world.

Integration Strategies to Address Health Reform Implementation Challenges

This year Healthcare Executives of Southern California is partnering with World Health Care Congress and Loma Linda University Medical Center to present the 7th Annual American Health Care Congress (AHCC) on December 7 - 8, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA.  The HCE board will host our annual member meeting that morning and then we will move over to the Congress.

 

If you are in the Southern California Area you should consider attending and learn more about HCE of So Cal. Registration is open and you can save $200 with code ZQX859 at World Health Care Congress or 800-767-9499!  I hope to see you there!

What is a RHIO? The song remains the same!

It has been three years since HIMSS released the Guide to Establishing a RHIO and four since I released Forming a RHIO?.  And, with all of the talk about health information exchange (HIE) people still find my blog when searching for "what is a RHIO?"

Now, I have to share that I've had people recently tell me that RHIOs are no longer important and they have been replaced by HIEs.  My response, is that the formal organization that RHIOs provide are still needed for some HIEs.  Remember, HIEs are the electronic movement of health related information, not the convening of stakeholders or governance and administrative oversight that is needed to ensure that it is done properly.

So, I say that the guide to Establishing a RHIO is still relevant today and coupled with the white paper update it is required reading for anyone involved in HIE today.