2 Hour Length of Stay in the ED - Would You Like Some Fries with That?

In the ED community there is a new marketing tool—30 minute or less no-wait ED service.

The implication is a provider (physician, PA, or NP) will greet you- a la the Wal-Mart greeter- to begin the service relationship. There are billboards, internet advertising, etc. that proclaim your care will be improved because it will be faster.

If properly conducted where the patient is fully evaluated, there should be significant PRC or Press-Ganey score improvements.

I would prefer to see the metrics based on speed, quality, and outcome.

This would be the “ED Value Plan” that encompasses speed, efficiency, communication, and quality. (9 out of 10 members in my family would choose this plan).

The provider will discharge, admit, or carefully discuss with the patient and family the “Battle Plan” for disposition at the 2 hour mark.
1. Discharge prior than 2 hours
2. Admit prior than 2 hours
3. Discussion with patient.
         a. Outline the timeframe
         b. Discuss need for more tests (CT abdomen)
         c. Waiting for consultant
         d. Providing more treatment to avoid admission (i.e. fluids, 2nd set of              troponin levels

Guest Blogger - Jim Tate: EHR Incentives Drop Dead Dates

Several times a week I am asked the same question by providers and vendors. The question takes different twists and turns, but it all gets down to one core concern. To put it in the crassest terms, here it is. “What is the absolutely last drop dead date an eligible professional can meet the CMS EHR Incentive Program requirements and not leave any money on the table?” OK, now that the question is clear, let’s answer it once and for all.

For Eligible Professionals there are two CMS programs, Medicare and Medicaid, which incentivize EHR use. An EP must select one of the programs for participation, and is allowed to switch programs once. Let’s take a look at Medicaid first. 2016 is the “Last year to initiate participation in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program” and 2021 is the “Last year to receive Medicaid EHR Incentive Payment.”

To continue reading this blog visit: http://www.hitechanswers.net/ehr-incentives-drop-dead-dates/

Jim Tate is a nationally recognized expert on the CMS EHR Incentive Program, certified technology and meaningful use and a partner in HITECH Answers. He is also author of The Incentive Roadmap® The Meaningful Use of Certified Technology: Stage 1.

HITECH Answers - www.hitechanswers.net

To purchase Jim Tate's book "The Incentive Roadmap The Meaningful use of Certified Technology: Stage 1 visit:  http://www.hitechanswers.net/products-page/

Medication Reconciliation and E-Prescribing

E-prescribing is a certification requirement for out-patient clinics and urgent care facilities for EHRs to obtain "meaningful use" monies from the government. E-prescribing is desirable for patients, but its real objective is medication reconciliation.

This process is intended to be convenient for the patient; however, there is also an underlying goal to achieve medication reconciliation. The goal of medication reconciliation is important, but it is also time-consuming and labor intensive.

The problems associated with e-prescribing are:

• Who is going the input the info?
• Who is going to keep it updated?
• What is the time frame?
• Accuracy depends on patient and data collection

E-prescribing can only be accomplished if medication reconciliation is performed by the E-prescriber and his/her software. This puts the burden on provider and his/her staff.