Even so, most practices are doing OK with pay-for-performance and other models Physician practices are engaging in new healthcare payment models intended to improve quality and reduce costs, but are finding that they need help managing increasing amounts of data and figuring out how to respond to the diversity of programs and quality metrics from different payers. Even so, … [Read more...]
EHR Isolation
According to one study, some doctors have been slow to implement EHR A substantial proportion of physicians are unsure about or are not planning to participate in a government program that provides economic incentives to implement and use electronic health records. Those physicians tend to be older than others, and in smaller, independent practices. If and when they do … [Read more...]
A Custom Fit
Diabetes care involves a patient-centered approach Healthcare providers caring for patients with diabetes need to tailor their approach to the individual patient, according to the American Diabetes Association. Each year, the association provides clinical practice recommendations for diabetes care in its “Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes,” based on the latest … [Read more...]
Monitoring Measles
This winter’s measles outbreaks appear to have gotten more attention in the press than it did among sales reps calling on primary care physicians. “Physicians are making their own decisions,” says Darrell Rawlings, vice president, Rx Category and Program Management, McKesson Medical-Surgical. “They frequently look to their rep for product information or supplier information, … [Read more...]
Living Long and Prospering
As the world’s population of people 60 and over increases, health care providers must meet the increased needs When we say we feel old, we’re not kidding. The world's population of people 60 years of age and older has doubled since 1980 and is forecast to reach 2 billion by 2050, according to The World Health Organization (WHO). The good news is that the ageing of the … [Read more...]
Contracting Executive Profile
Bob Taylor, Assistant vice president of supply chain, UAB Health System, Birmingham, Ala. Since joining UAB Health System, Bob Taylor’s responsibilities have evolved into total supply chain oversight, including value analysis, purchasing, strategic sourcing, distribution and logistics, and supply chain analytics for supplies, linen and equipment. In addition, he is … [Read more...]
McKesson Medical-Surgical: Market-ready
Two years after McKesson Medical-Surgical’s acquisition of PSS World Medical, President Stanton McComb is confident about the future. The integration with PSS is almost complete; the market demand for expertise in the non-acute-care supply chain has never been greater; and the company is making plans to move into a new, state-of-the-art headquarters building in Richmond. … [Read more...]
HIDA Health Reform Update
Congress kicks off 2015 with bipartisan, bicameral collaboration By Linda Rouse O’Neill SGR winners, losers become much clearer Last month, HIDA’s Health Reform Update speculated that it would be difficult at best for Congress to agree on repeal and replacement legislation for the physician sustainable growth rate (SGR) payment formula before April 1, mainly due to … [Read more...]
Shout it Out
Distributors have a lot to offer, and they should let others know Distributors have much to be proud of. They offer valuable services to their customers and manufacturer partners, and it’s time to proclaim their value. That’s a message Mark Zacur wants to convey to the industry this year as he serves as chairman of the Health Industry Distributors Association. “We should … [Read more...]
Practice Points: Subtle Shifts in the EHR Conversation
By Laurie Morgan, Capko & Morgan Not that long ago, the EHR conversation was mainly about surviving the implementation process – and whether to go through it at all. Government incentives were weighed against acquisition and conversion costs. “How to” articles focused on choosing a system, meeting Meaningful Use, and converting to electronic records without destroying … [Read more...]