Christina's Considerations

Physicians On Call

California Health Care Foundation explores emergency department coverage in their latest paper and presents opportunities for improvement that include the application of telehealth technologies (see page 14) and community call. I was especially impressed with the creativity of some of... Read more →

If you go to New Orleans... go see the Mardi Gras!

My husband and son took a trip to New Orleans and last night took the advice of Professor Longhair and went to the Mardi Gras! Hearing this song really makes me wish I were there too! Read more →

HIMSS Store

The HIMSS Conference Bookstore had both of my books for sale and I guess Social Media in Healthcare did really well. When I checked on Wednesday morning, I learned they were running out and had to order more the evening... Read more →

Floyd Medical Center - Communicating Expectations

One of my readers thought I would be interested in how his hospital is educating and informing its staff on their new social media policy. Developing a policy is easy, but finding a creative way to entertain while you are... Read more →

Car Crash & Death in Hospital Parking Garage

Security and emergency response issues are highlighted during the events surrounding a gentleman crashing his car in a hospital parking structure; and this presents an opportunity to revisit your policies with staff. My impression is that this hospital staff responded... Read more →

Children & Telehealth

A Pacific Rim Department of Defense study found that telehealth cuts pediatric costs; reducing spending by as much as $750,000 annually. Not surprisingly, reductions were most notable in remote areas where pediatric specialists are not available. The also found that:... Read more →

Bloggers and Social Media Risk

I'm in Orlando this week for HIMSS and presenting later today at the Social Media Center on managing risks. My slides were submitted in advance, but I do want to reference a really great conversation related to ethics and risks... Read more →

HIT Exchange Magazine

A new health information technology focused magazine will be released at HIMSS next week. It will be interesting to see how HIT Exchange Magazine converges healthcare business with technology. I'm impressed right from the start since they recognize healthcare as... Read more →

Hospital Ranking Sites and Resources

Hospitalicious has a list of hospital ranking sites and resources for the US. These along with the data being made public by state agencies (CA Mortality, CA Surgical Procedure Costs, etc) will be useful as you conduct your own research.... Read more →

CA Healthcare Workforce

Last weekend I participated in a web talkshow with college students interested in HIT careers and today my audience is high school. High School Career Days are also a great time to make an impression upon the future healthcare workforce.... Read more →

Making a Virtual Connection

Just saw the digital copy of For The Record Magazine and the article on making virtual connections with social media. Read more →

Hospital Evacuation: It can happen!

For the last couple of years, I've been planning for hospital evacuations -- something that is really difficult to think will really happen. However, it can and does, so it is better to be prepared. The current issue of the... Read more →

Health in a Networked Life

Markle identified some interesting social and cultural findings in their survey Health in a Networked Life. They include: Many doctors and patients surveyed believe key information is lost in their health care conversations. A majority of the doctors surveyed indicate... Read more →

Telehealth Technology Assessment Center

I needed to share a link to the Telehealth Technology Assessment Center site this week and was reminded of the great work they have been doing. Some of my blog readers/visitors will find value in the toolkits focused on telemedicine... Read more →

Lower Door-to-Needle Times for Acute Stroke Show Better Clinical Outcomes

Gregg C. Fonarow, M.D., professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of California-Los Angeles is lead author of the Timeliness of tPA Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Patient Characteristics, Hospital Factors and Outcomes Associated with Door-to-Needle Times within 60 Minutes... Read more →

Waiting Times for Key Diagnostic Tests in England

Transparancy is England's Department of Health sending out a tweet on their waiting times for key diagnostic tests. Main findings include: The number of patients, for whom English commissioners are responsible, waiting over 6 weeks for any one of the... Read more →

Medicare Reimbursement Checklists

The Center for Telehealth & eHealth Law has released checklists for both the originating site and professional services based upon Medicare's 2011 changes in reimbursement. Read more →

ATA Recommends Six Fixes to Federal Policy Makers

Over the last few months the American Telemedicine Association has been working with the White House and federal agencies to identify specific changes that can be made to immediately improve the delivery of healthcare using telemedicine. The six fixes identified... Read more →

Re-engineering the Hospital Discharge

I'm really interested in operational and clinical applications of social media to help hospital employees get the job done more efficiently and effectively. I've been thinking about creating a list of examples on my blog and may start a new... Read more →

Informal Learning and ACOs

Healthcare Leaders has a new report titled The Bridge to Accountable Care Organizations in a digital magazine format. I does a nice job of orienting readers to what an ACO might look like, but it is also an example of... Read more →