tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182Mon, 07 Oct 2024 03:50:44 +0000At the crossroads of health care and technology, patient care and wellness, medical informatics and compliance from the shores of Lake Michigan.http://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)Blogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-2288340646179815387Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:01:00 +00002009-12-28T07:17:12.683-06:00Thirty years ago, when I embarked on this career - there was no PC, the word "informatics" was not yet coined, and my undergraduate advisor told me that I would never be accepted by physicians to assist with their operations and data.Now ...I am working toward a Masters of Science in Medical Informatics and the Nation has a National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.On December 24, http://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/12/help-wanted-skilled-health-it-workforce.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-3172255633817258739Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:46:00 +00002009-12-14T14:54:29.424-06:00Congratulations to local health care program Sinai Urban Health Institute, or SUHI, part of Chicago's Sinai Health System - for receiving an honorable mention in Promoting Prevention in Modern Healthcare's 17th annual Spirit of Excellence Awards, co-sponsored by Sodexo Health Care Services ... Read about it Getting into the spirit - Modern Healthcare and specifically Promoting prevention (http://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/12/chicagos-sinai-health-system.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-8871649434490621648Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:36:00 +00002009-12-04T14:40:13.946-06:00LEAPFROG GROUP ANNOUNCES ITS 2009 TOP HOSPITALSThe press release states:Thirty-four urban, eight children’s and three rural hospitals have been named 2009 Leapfrog Top Hospitals, based on results from The Leapfrog Hospital Survey. The survey (found at www.leapfroggroup.org) is the only national, public comparison of hospitals on key issues including mortality rates for certain common procedures, http://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/12/leapfrog-2009-top-hospitals.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-3972825545419598623Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:58:00 +00002009-11-26T10:08:30.394-06:00Last Thanksgiving weekend, many bloggers participated in the first documented “blog rally” to promote Engage With Grace – a movement aimed at having all of us understand and communicate our end-of-life wishes.It was a great success, with over 100 bloggers in the healthcare space and beyond participating and spreading the word. Plus, it was timed to coincide with a weekend when most of us are withhttp://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/11/engage-with-grace.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-3013406010356212189Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:28:00 +00002009-11-23T08:34:10.487-06:00I want to take this moment to thank everyone that sponsored me in this year's JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes - as well as all previous 20+ years. I often say thanks, but rarely have a video to share that is as informative about some research progress as this one. Please take a few minutes to watch this video on The JDRF Artificial Pancreas Project at UVA http://www.tudiabetes.org/video/http://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/11/jdrf-research-progress.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-3354806570854322930Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:29:00 +00002009-11-13T06:32:27.521-06:00During all this talk about healthcare reform, I’ve been wondering about the “cost of doing business”, The myriad of documentation, billing, and reporting regulations have to add to expenses at healthcare providers. People, special training, time, the list goes on.Recently, Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS), published Tangled Up in Rules: HOW DUPLICATIVE, UNNECESSARY, AND OUTDATED http://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/11/healthcare-costs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-6021394207952727930Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:11:00 +00002009-11-10T14:13:20.141-06:00As I spend my free time reading David Kessler's The end of overeating. Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite, this announcement comes at a great time.NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) PUBLISHES NEW HEART HEALTHY COOKBOOK Keep the Beat Recipes: Deliciously Healthy Dinners The new cookbook features 75 simple and delicious recipes influencedhttp://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/11/heart-healthy-cookbook.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-4076366879147214591Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:09:00 +00002009-10-28T16:16:42.789-05:00I was recently directed to this website World Plank. I was enamored by the photos of people in plank position. If you have seen me at the gym, you have probably seen me in a plank.Here's their philosophy as stated on the website:The PLANK is a simple exercise for body, mind and spirit. The power of intention is remarkable.Just 1 minute a day will make a difference when it comes to increasing corehttp://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/10/hold-plank.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-6595332161949885427Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:57:00 +00002009-10-26T14:02:31.642-05:00In a case of odd timing, just as I was writing an article about the need for health care interpreters, I received word that my friends at @Fotozio just launched a really cool iPhone app, http://pictranslator.com/. Translate signs and menus just by taking a picture!If you have an iPhone ... perhaps it's useful to you.To read about health care interpreters and the new certification commission, readhttp://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/10/pictranslator-for-iphone.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-530281100320364330Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:03:00 +00002009-10-22T08:06:12.413-05:00LogLogic® and the Ponemon Institute, recently announced results of a national survey of healthcare IT security professionals that shows privacy may be at risk.Read the press release here:LogLogic: New Study Reveals Push to Electronic Medical Records Puts Patient Privacy at RiskSome key findings are:80 percent of healthcare organizations surveyed had experienced at least one incident of lost or http://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/10/look-at-patient-privacy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-5517467830227315683Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:59:00 +00002009-10-13T13:49:05.493-05:00Today, as the Senate Finance Committee is set to vote on the health reform debate bill, I am reminded of an article I read last week in the USA Today. Craig Wilson wrote about seeing the bill for his birth (Final Word: 60 years later, it's clear: This baby was a bargain - USATODAY.com). The hospital bill for his birth in 1949 was $94. While the cost is striking for a 7 day stay for mom and baby http://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/10/health-care-billing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-1127210649030224801Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:22:00 +00002009-10-05T14:25:42.076-05:00U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology published – for public comment - The Consumer Preferences Requirements Document which describes a framework for the electronic exchange among multiple stakeholders of the preferences consumers may have regarding the management of and controlling access to their information and http://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/10/u.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-8768823343039512493Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:46:00 +00002009-10-02T09:09:05.746-05:00Over the past couple of weeks, there has been a litany of announcements from the Department of Health and Human Services about the release of funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Including:$120 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for prevention and wellness programs for U.S. states and territories$27.8 million to health center-controlled networks and http://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/10/recovery-dollars.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-5725757319211337286Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:33:00 +00002009-09-22T09:36:02.028-05:00Today, September 22 - and next Tuesday, September 29, you can still win an Organ Donor T-Shirt.REGISTER! On the dates above, visit https://www.donatelifeillinois.org/donatelife/registration.aspx to register as a organ/tissue donor. Be sure to select "T-shirt Tuesday" from the drop down menu asking how you heard about the registry. This is our only way of tracking a registration back to you! The http://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/09/donor-t-shirt-tuesday.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-3966764834610254933Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:24:00 +00002009-09-17T10:28:52.610-05:00Vantage Point, the monthly publication of HIMSS, which surveys healthcare IT professionals on current industry trends, published the results of a survey completed in August related to the Healthcare IT Workforce. There were 352 respondents. The report is available here: HIMSS Vantage Point.The results indicate that more than two-thirds will have to hire staff over the next two years to meet thehttp://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/09/himss-survey-healthcare-it-workforce.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-5954200770736370029Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:23:00 +00002009-09-14T20:30:33.934-05:00The White House created a website to help people understand Health Insurance Reform -it's called Reality Check. The website is complete with topics and videos. The videos feature White House experts and attempt to explain the topic in a way that consumers of health insurance and health care will understand. There is a quiz - "What's In It For You". You answer a series of questions and then you http://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/09/reality-check-from-white-house.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-4000805157398324401Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:04:00 +00002009-09-10T13:08:34.439-05:00HHS has released a new report on the employer-sponsored insurance market. The new report, Insurance Insecurity: Families Are Losing Employer-Sponsored Insurance Coverage is available in the Reports section at www.HealthReform.govThe new report indicates:A full one in six Americans with employer-sponsored insurance in 2006 lost that coverage by 2008.When an employee and his or her family lose http://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/09/hhs-report-on-insurance.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-47029629675788068Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:01:00 +00002009-09-03T10:05:46.654-05:00Improve the health of the community. This is routinely set as a goal when a health care organization implements information technology. It is an ambitious and non-controversial aim. However, it is also non-trivial. That’s why these two information system implementations are especially notable.The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society announced the recipients of the 2009 Publichttp://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/09/public-health-awards.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-5964115753319566245Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:10:00 +00002009-08-31T11:46:26.239-05:00The past couple of weeks have brought several news items related to health information technology. Here are a few highlights.HITECH Grants ProgramHealth Information Technology Extension ProgramState Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement ProgramTo help potential applicants and other interested parties better understand the federal grants process, The Office of the National Coordinator http://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/08/hit-updates.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-7203578610563460116Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:07:00 +00002009-08-26T09:25:49.654-05:00With the spotlight on health reform and the recent passing of Senator Kennedy, I have found myself reflecting on many challenges of the healthcare system. However, this week, I am focused on the acute need for organ transplantation that exists in the United States and around the world.About a week ago, Donate Life sent this twitter: GiveandLetLive U.S.- Waiting list - All Organs 101,943. This http://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/08/organ-waiting-list-tops-10000.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-2988177942094883864Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:29:00 +00002009-08-20T05:33:11.678-05:00On Wednesday, I had the privilege of attending the presentation of the 2009 American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The ceremony was billed as a “re-enactment” of the presentation that occurred at the Health Forum/AHA Leadership Summit in July. Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association, washttp://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/08/on-wednesday-i-had-privilege-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-1884918356479378457Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:29:00 +00002009-08-18T07:32:24.578-05:00Through my writing, I often have an opportunity to speak with some of the best performing health care organizations in the country. One of those organizations recently was named in a Thomson Reuters report that identified “THE 100 TOP HOSPITALS®: Health System Quality/Efficiency BENCHMARKS”. According to the report, the top 10 are:Advocate Health Care, Oak Brook, IL Catholic Healthcare Partners,http://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/08/thomson-reuters-top-hospitals.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-109104463348945971Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:58:00 +00002009-08-12T06:32:52.471-05:00I almost missed it ... Donate Life Illinois reminded me ...It's Tell-A-Friend Tuesday! Here's a link to their easy tool to help you remind friends, family, coworkers and others to register as organ/tissue donors in Illinois. Thanks for the continued support!Donate Life Illinois – Organ & Tissue Donor RegistrationAnd, click here to Register in Illinois ... please check your State's website forhttp://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/08/tell-friend-tuesday.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-7272987976495632482Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:41:00 +00002009-08-06T11:43:21.370-05:00On August 3, 2009, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced that the Secretary of Health and Human Services has delegated to the Director of OCR the authority to administer and enforce the HIPAA Security Rule. This means that the privacy and security rules of HIPAA will be enforced by the same agency. CMS retains its enforcement authority for these other HIPAA rules, including Unique http://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/08/hipaa-security-enforcement.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5338235737989799182.post-3630808142629308131Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:33:00 +00002009-07-31T06:52:06.459-05:00Ask anyone familiar with healthcare delivery in the United States and one concern you are likely to hear is the fear of getting an infection while hospitalized.The HHS Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections states that“Healthcare-associated infections are one of the most preventable causes of leading mortality in the U.S. The infections also add a significant economic burden to http://suzismuzings.blogspot.com/2009/07/healthcare-associated-infections-hai.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Suzi Birz)0