Mass Media Articles
This category contains resources found in mainstream media, such as newspapers, magazines (Macleans, Harper’s, etc.) and the websites of news organizations.
June 13, 2011
According to a new report (registration required) from Fitch Ratings, not-for-profit hospitals that utilized information technology achieved higher profits and quality ratings than hospitals that did not employ similar technology.
A synopsis of the report on Modern Healthcare illustrates some of the major findings, such as the fact that technology advanced hospitals were more likely than low-tech hospitals to receive a rating of A- or higher, as well as see greater profit over cost growth and more available cash and investments.
Posted in Mass Media Articles, READ Portal | Tagged with Benchmarking, Economics, Health technology, Hospital administration, Technology | No Comments
June 9, 2011
“Pfizer Inc. is conducting a drug trial in which patients participate from their homes using computers and smartphones rather than visiting a clinic.
The company plans to compare the results to those obtained from a previous, traditional trial of the same drug. The study involves the company’s overactive-bladder drug Detrol.
If successful, the methods used in the study might eventually be used to help drive down the high cost of bringing new medicines to market.”
Posted in Mass Media Articles, READ Portal | Tagged with e-health, Efficiency, Health technology, Telehealth | No Comments
June 1, 2011
This article from Modern Physician presents an overview of a 2011 study that examined the correlation between surgeon awareness of costs and number of blood tests administered. The study found that when surgeons knew the dollar value of tests, they preformed less blood tests. The decreasing number of test had no impact on mortality rates, length of hospital stay, transfer to ICU, etc. Additionally, the hospitals monitored in the study saw huge costs savings from the decrease in blood tests. The original study is available at the Archives of Surgery, though subscription is required to access the full text version.
Posted in Mass Media Articles, READ Portal | Tagged with Economics, Efficiency, Hospital administration | No Comments
May 12, 2011
‘Gilbert Hospital, noted for its “Door to Doc in 31 Minutes” slogan, now allows en route registration via a call-ahead phone line. With the new program, which started in March, patients on their way to the hospital can call the toll-free VIP (Very Important Patient) line to provide basic registration information, saving precious seconds once they arrive.’
‘”It’s just speed and convenience for the patient,” said Tim Johns, an emergency-department physician and a Gilbert Hospital founder and medical director. “We get to focus on their medical needs instead of asking, ‘What was your phone number again?’ It’s another way to make the point that we don’t make people wait.”‘
Read how the process works at http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2011/05/06/20110506gilbert-hospital-speeds-registration-process-vip-line.html.
Posted in Mass Media Articles, READ Portal | Tagged with Patient-centered care, Process improvement | No Comments
April 6, 2011
This article looks at some of the many problems that still exist with the implementation of electronic medical records. Issues such as cross-compatibility between systems, differences in record keeping standards, and operator error stop electronic health records from reaching their full potential. Additionally, the author reviews concerns about patient privacy due to the sharing of confidential health information and the potential of theft of records.
Despite the problems associated with electronic health records, however, they still have the ability to be a force of improvement within a healthcare setting. They reduce waiting times associated with print records, ensure ease of access across multiple facilities if implemented correctly, and reduce work time for practitioners as they have instantaneous digital access to information, including best-practice standards in similar patient cases.
Posted in Mass Media Articles, READ Portal | Tagged with e-health, Efficiency, Health technology | No Comments
March 7, 2011
February 23, 2011 (Toronto, ON) – Better preparing medical students to practice in modern, technology-enabled, clinical environments is the aim of a new initiative launched today by the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) and Canada Health Infoway (Infoway). Canada’s medical schools, students, and residents are invited to join in this three-year effort to strengthen learning on effective clinical use of information and communications technologies (ICT).
“In Canada and around the world, clinicians are improving quality of care, access, and productivity through the use of information and communications technologies,” said Jennifer Zelmer, Senior Vice-President, Clinical Adoption, and Innovation Canada Health Infoway. “By giving clinicians in training a good foundation on the effective use of these tools in clinical practice, physicians of tomorrow can better harness these benefits in their practices and for their patients.”
Posted in Mass Media Articles, READ Portal | Tagged with Health technology, Information technology, Technology | No Comments
February 23, 2011
With its newest investment program, Canada Health Infoway (Infoway) is funding Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems in community-based practices and outpatient settings throughout Canada. Infoway President and CEO, Richard Alvarez, today provided details about the $380 million fund which is designed to focus investment at the points of care where the benefits of health information technology can deliver immediate value to patients and clinicians.
“Connecting health providers to the health information systems being developed across the country is fundamental to Infoway’s mandate,” says Alvarez. “This new wave of investment, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, will help us reach our target to enroll an additional 8,000 to 9,000 physicians and nurse practitioners in EMR programs by March 2012.”
Posted in Mass Media Articles, READ Portal | Tagged with Canada, e-health, Health technology, Technology | No Comments
February 17, 2011
This weekly column presents recommendations for streamlining processes in order to improve productivity in a hospital setting. It focuses specifically on employing lean processes in the deliverance of quality healthcare services:
“One way to improve hospital productivity and labor practices in hospitals is to assess your facility’s nursing unit report process. Three factors than can impact the report productivity process include:
- Streamlined approach;
- Continuity of patient care;
- Effective nurse to nurse communication.”
Posted in Mass Media Articles, READ Portal | Tagged with Economics, Efficiency, Hospital administration, Nurses, Nursing | No Comments
February 2, 2011
According to a new study conducted by researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine, electronic health records (EHR) alone may not have an impact on healthcare performance. The researchers reviewed electronic record use from 2005 through 2007.
While most reviews of electronic health records look at how they function in a single, academic health organisation, this review takes a different approach. It reviewed all types of non-federal health organisations in the US to determine how, if at all, electronic health records are having an impact. The results of the study found that the is no difference in quality of care from the use of EHRs.
Posted in Mass Media Articles, READ Portal | Tagged with e-health, Program evaluation, Quality of care | No Comments
February 2, 2011
“Just as they go online to pay bills, renew library books and buy movie tickets, patients at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre can now log on the Internet to manage their health. MyChart, Sunnybrook’s innovative electronic health access service, lets patients check laboratory results, review their prescriptions, see ultrasound images and connect with their physicians.
MyChart, Sunnybrook’s innovative electronic health access service, lets patients check laboratory results, review their prescriptions, see ultrasound images and connect with their physicians.”
Posted in Mass Media Articles, READ Portal | Tagged with Access to care, Canada, e-health, Efficiency, Health technology, Technology | No Comments
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