Healthcare IT News For VARs — September 16, 2013
Business Solutions searched recent headlines for news of interest to VARs serving clients in the healthcare industry.
Majority Of Data Breaches Through POS, Not EHR
An Intronis Cloud Backup and Recovery Blog post points out your healthcare customers concerned about data breaches that involve their electronic health records (EHRs) should also consider the security of their point of sale (POS) systems. Citing a Verizon study, Intronis says this is where the majority of breaches occur, followed by desktop computers, database servers, and backup systems.
EHR Plus Billing Helps Business Side Of Practice
A Black Book study says you can help your customers who are independent physicians to stay independent. The study says they are more likely to stave off takeovers from hospitals and medical groups if they operate more efficiently with new EHRs that integrate billing. VARs should note that the study finds 87 percent of physician practices agree that their billing and collections systems need upgrading. This study, the first of eight revenue cycle management studies, is titled, "Top Physician Practice Management & Revenue Cycle Management: Ambulatory EHR Vendors.”
Healthcare Providers Shy Away From Emailing Patients
A Health IT Outcomes article says patients like the idea of emailing their doctors and using patient portals. A study from Weill Cornell Medical College, however, reveals that healthcare providers might not be willing to communicate with patients this way unless compensated for this time, and some might not be willing to email patients at all.
EHR Data Used To Predict Risks, Readmissions
The Rothman Index has used EHR data to make predictions about how likely an unplanned hospital readmission will be. The index conducted a multivariate analysis of data from 2,730 patients hospitalized in 2011 before physicians had access to the index.
Medical Identity Theft On The Rise
The Ponemon Institute has conducted the 2013 Survey on Medical Identity Theft. The survey states that medical identity theft is currently the fastest growing type of fraud.
Healthcare IT Talking Points
Ken Congdon, editor in chief of Health IT Outcomes, explores the value of accountable care organizations (ACOs), speaking with five Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs about their benefits, shortcomings, and sustainability.