Five Reasons Why Patients with Implantable Defibrillators Deserve Their Data February 17, 2012
Posted by David Scher, MD, FHRS in Health Policy, Allied Health Professionals, Industry, EP Physicians.Tags: Arrhythmia, Electronic Health Records, HEREHR, HITECH Act, ICD, Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator, pacemaker
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The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, was signed into law on February 17, 2009. The objective of Measure 12/15 of Meaningful Use regulations of the HITECH Act, which refers to electronic health records, states that eligible professionals “Provide patients with an electronic copy of their health information (including diagnostic test results, problem lists, medication lists, medication allergies) upon request.”
A patient’s implantable defibrillator consists of a diagnostic test of the patient’s rhythm as well as of the implanted device itself. I do not see a distinction between data derived from these devices and other diagnostic tests. In this post I will explain why, in addition to conforming to the above regulatory requirement, the furnishing of this data will benefit patients. (more…)
Thinking About Patient-Centered Care February 1, 2012
Posted by Kathleen Blake, MD, MPH, FHRS in Health Policy, Allied Health Professionals, EP Physicians.Tags: Patient care, National Quality Forum, NQF
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Last week, the National Quality Forum (NQF) hosted a meeting of the Partnership for Patients-National Priorities Partnership. The Partnership for Patients was convened last spring by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to “dramatically improve patient safety across the country.” (more…)
Five Reasons Why Physicians Will Love mHealth January 18, 2012
Posted by David Scher, MD, FHRS in Allied Health Professionals, Education, EP Physicians, Health Policy.Tags: Electronic Health Records, Healthcare reform, Medicare, mHealth, mobile health technology, Practice management, Remote monitoring
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1. Mobile health technology will increase patient engagement. Most patients do not take the responsibility they should for their own health. They are likely preoccupied with all the stresses of everyday life and might therefore take the ‘I feel good, so I must be’ approach. They possibly mutter these words after wiping their faces, hurriedly walking out of McDonald’s for lunch. Or is it because of mistrust of their physician who they get to see for a big 15 minutes that the electronic record time slot permits? Or that they are caregivers to others and sacrifice their own well-being for that higher purpose? (more…)
Business Models of Mobile mHealth January 12, 2012
Posted by David Scher, MD, FHRS in Allied Health Professionals, Education, EP Physicians, Health Policy.Tags: CMS, Electronic medical records, Healthcare reform, Medicare, mHealth, mobile health technology, Practice management, Remote monitoring
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PriceWaterhouse Coopers’ Health Research Institute released a comprehensive report (free registration required) describing business models and opportunities for the mobile health industry.
In the operational/business model, providers see mHealth as more efficient and beneficial to the patient. According to the study, one-third of physicians make decisions based on incomplete information and mHealth can result in better care by providing more robust and timely information from the patient or device. (more…)
Who Is On Your Team? November 10, 2011
Posted by Heather M. Ross, DNP, ANP-BC, CCDS, CEPS, FHRS in Allied Health Professionals, EP Physicians.Tags: Cardiology, Healthcare system, Physicians, Work force
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Since the dawn of organized medicine, health care delivery has witnessed many changes in the evolution of organizational and professional structures to benefit patient care. However, it seems that our present economy, regulatory, and social changes have combined to make this the single most uncertain time in modern medical history. (more…)
Ten Ways Healthcare Providers Can Get the Most out of EHRs September 2, 2011
Posted by David Scher, MD, FHRS in Education, EP Physicians, Health Policy.Tags: EHRs, Electronic Health Records, Meaningful Use Program, Personal Health Records, PHR
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Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are being promoted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Meaningful Use Program to improve patient outcomes and reduce cost. The value of EHRs to healthcare providers is that they can streamline workflow and advance patient care on an ongoing basis. Some examples and tips:
1. Utilizing the EHR to prepare for the encounter in advance. Review the patient record the day or evening before a day in the clinic. Make short notes about the results of tests performed since the last visit, and what treatment plan options you might formulate. (more…)
HRS Update: FDA Issues Alert on the Heart Drug Multaq (dronedarone) July 22, 2011
Posted by Heart Rhythm Society in EP Physicians, Science & Research.Tags: AF, Afib, Atrial fibrillation, Clinical trials, Dronedarone, Multaq, PALLAS Study
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing data from the Permanent Atrial Fibrillation Outcome Study Using Dronedarone on Top of Standard Therapy (PALLAS) study that was evaluating the effects of the antiarrhythmic drug Multaq (dronedarone) in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation. (more…)
Transition from EP Fellowship to Practice July 22, 2011
Posted by Joshua M. Cooper, MD, FACC in Education, EP Physicians.Tags: Electrophysiology, Emerging EP Program, Fellows
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There are many milestones that physicians reach during their training and career, but perhaps the biggest step is the one where the tables are suddenly turned – the transition from training to practice. All at once, we must decide on the type of career we want, where we wish to live, how to balance our work and personal life, how to manage our finances, how to document and consent and bill and communicate, how to make independent decisions, how to teach, and how to take on the ultimate responsibility for the well-being of our patients. It can be an overwhelming time, with all the choices and the new burdens that we must bear, but it is also the most exciting transition we will ever make. (more…)
Heart Rhythm 2011 and Women in EP May 4, 2011
Posted by Ulrika Birgersdotter-Green, MD in EP Physicians, Scientific Sessions.Tags: Electrophysiology, Heart Rhythm 2011, WLI, Women’s Leadership Initiative
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The Heart Rhythm Society’s Annual Scientific Sessions has now begun, and, based on the agenda, promises to be another excellent meeting. I am particularly looking forward to this year’s meeting because the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) will have a bigger presence than ever before.
The WLI was founded five years ago as an initiative by women electrophysiologists, with the support and endorsement of the Heart Rhythm Society, as a way to stimulate and encourage women to consider EP as a career choice, as well as to provide support and mentoring for women electrophysiologists. (more…)
The IBHRE Physician EP Certification and Pediatric Cardiologists April 29, 2011
Posted by Heart Rhythm Society in Education, EP Physicians.Tags: ABIM, Board certification, Electrophysiology, IBHRE
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In late 2011, IBHRE will introduce the Board Certification Examination for Competency in Cardiac Electrophysiology for the Physician. The exam will feature a core electrophysiology component and one of two modules for the physician – Adult Electrophysiology or Pediatric Electrophysiology. (more…)
Heart Rhythm Society
Laurie Racenet, RN, MSN, ANP
Michael Giudici, MD, FACC, FACP, FHRS
Heather M. Ross, DNP, ANP-BC, CCDS, CEPS, FHRS
Anne Dubin, MD, FHRS
John D. Day, MD, FHRS
Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS
Joshua M. Cooper, MD, FACC
Amit J. Shanker, MD, FHRS, FACC
Bruce Stambler, MD
David Wiggins, RN, BS BME, CEPS
Fred M. Kusumoto, MD, FHRS
Leonard Ganz, MD, FHRS
christinechiuman
Craig Delaughter, MD, PhD
Ariana Del Negro, Heart Rhythm 2010 Quality
Peng-Sheng Chen, MD, FHRS
MSKremers MD,FHRS
Ann C. Garlitski, MD, FACC, FHRS
Alan Cheng, MD, FHRS
Ulrika Birgersdotter-Green, MD
Christopher Clyne, MD, FHRS
Kathleen Blake, MD, MPH, FHRS
David Scher, MD, FHRS
Sanjay Deshpande, MD, FHRS
