September 2019

Thoughts From Our President

My thoughts for this month:

• I wonder if others are bothered by the news that Cerner, as well as some large health systems, are selling “de-identified” patient data. Despite any safeguards, research has shown most such data can be “re-identified” using publicly available big data. Our readers will be pleased to know MEDITECH does not put patient confidentiality in jeopardy by sharing de-identified data
• All the industry publications are talking about AI and its promising possibilities. However, most of the challenges facing hospitals still revolve around core operational effectiveness and efficiencies. Someone I know recently had a day surgery experience that highlighted the need to improve patient satisfaction. Here is the story:
  • Arrived as scheduled at noon with surgery scheduled for 1:30
  • After checking in and getting the wristband and hospital gown (all completed efficiently by 12:30), the individual was informed the surgeon was running 3-4 hours behind schedule
  • This information had to be known earlier in the day and with some communication the patient could have avoided sitting in a holding room for almost 4 hours before being sent to the pre-surgical area for anesthesia
  • While the medical care was very good, it wouldn’t have taken much effort to improve the patient experience

This example represents the type of situation where integrated processes, better communication systems and a true patient centered focused would have resulted in an improved experience

• Cybersecurity should be a major concern for every healthcare organization. We are looking forward to this month’s MEDITECH Physician/CIO Forum, where there will be two MEDITECH hospitals speaking about their experience on this topic. We hope to see you at the Forum!

John Haffty, President
Navin, Haffty & Associates

MEDITECH’s Annual Employee Picnic

One of the benefits for MEDITECH employees is their annual picnic. This year’s theme was a celebration of MEDITECH’s 50^th anniversary. We came across a picture from this year’s event and thought it was worth sharing. Can you recognize the faces in the sand sculpture?

MEDITECH Professional Services – Physician Advisory Services

With MEDITECH’s announcement of a Professional Services division, we wanted to highlight some of their unique capabilities. MEDITECH is now providing a full range of services to support physician engagement and adoption. With a team of experienced physician advisor leaders and subject matter expert consultants, the initial physician advisory offerings include:

• Physician Leadership and Governance Assessment and Seminar
  • This two to three day program (assessment and on-site seminar), based on MEDITECH’s Clinical Leadership Preparedness Program (CLPP) principles and framework, will provide organizations with the support and guidance they need to solidify a strong physician leadership and governance structure
• Physician Focused Content Optimization
  • For organizations needing to take a fresh look at their content (e.g., documentation templates, order sets), a physician advisor and dictionary architect will assess, build prototypes, conduct validation sessions and guide the change management process as the improved set of workflow oriented content is introduced into the LIVE system
• Physician System Utilization Optimization
  • With the support of a physician advisor and an experienced consulting team, an in-depth assessment will be conducted followed by a two to three week on-site engagement with the client, to fully optimize physician settings and personalization, leading to improved efficiency and satisfaction
• Ongoing Physician Advisor Support
  • For organizations that can benefit from the guidance, support and facilitation of a MEDITECH experienced physician advisor, this option provides a combination of in person and remote support from a MEDITECH physician advisor for a period of three months (which can be extended as needed)
  • While MEDITECH has developed and continues to develop significant standard content, if your organization needs templates built specifically for your needs or preferences, their specialists can work with you to create exactly what you want
• Workflow Optimization
  • One of the challenges with any implementation is the alignment of processes to the capabilities of the software. MEDITECH’s physician and clinical specialists can work with your organization to facilitate the workflow and behavioral changes necessary to achieve the maximum value from the software

For more information, contact Janet Desroche.

MEDITECH’s Physician/CIO Forum

It’s not too late to sign up to attend MEDITECH’s annual Physician/CIO Forum being held September 18-19 at their Foxborough, MA facility. The Forum represents the best opportunity to learn about MEDITECH’s plans for their software and to hear from your colleagues as they share success stories and lessons learned.

Some of the topics we think will be of interest include:

• Genomics and Precision Medicine
• High Availability Chart
• Advances in Interoperability (including an update on MEDITECH’s API strategy with Greenfield)
• A walkthrough of the new Expanse Labor and Delivery application
• An update on MEDITECH’s Professional Services

NHA is pleased to see a number of our past and present clients will be presenting:

• Larry Allen, MD, Chief Medical Executive, Vice President of Population Health, Goshen Health, Goshen, IN
• Jeannette Currie, CIO, Beth Israel Lahey Health, Boston, MA
• Dr. Deborah Harrigan, Medical Director, Physician Services, Frisbie Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NH
• Richard Temple, VP and CIO, Deborah Heart and Lung Center, Browns Mills, NJ
• Steve Taylor, CIO, Anderson Regional Medical Center, Meridian, MS
• Louis Harris, MD, Citizens Memorial Healthcare, Bolivar, MO
• Patrick Tupa, DO, CMIO, Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky, OH

Several of us from NHA will be there, and since we are local to MEDITECH’s offices we can easily arrange to meet before or after the Forum. To arrange a meeting, contact David LaFontaine.

Click here to register for the Physician/CIO Forum.

Once again this year, NHA, CloudWave and Forward Advantage are hosting the Welcome Reception for MEDITECH customers, which will be held the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 17. Leaders from all three sponsoring companies will be present, and we look forward to seeing you there. Click here to register (separate registration needed).

Canadian Corner

• NHA will attend the Digital Health Canada’s inaugural Atlantic Chapter Regional Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia on September 24. The one-day conference offers networking and learning for digital health professionals from across the Atlantic Region.
• MEDITECH will be exhibiting at the 2019 Ontario Health IT Conference, to be held October 3 at the Toronto Congress Centre. This is an immersive one-day conference focusing on the strategies and solutions your organization needs to thrive in the changing healthcare environment. Stop by booth #44 during the event to chat with MEDITECH Regional Sales Manager Nick Palmieri and Executive Sales Director Christopher Policano. NHA will be in attendance as well.
• MEDITECH Expanse: A New Vision for Healthcare in Canada will be held October 29 in Oakville, ON
  • Join your peers, NHA and MEDITECH executives on Tuesday, October 29 at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (Oakville, ON), part of Halton Healthcare, for a leadership event focused on MEDITECH’s web-based Expanse EHR. The event will take place in the John Oliver Auditorium and includes presentations by MEDITECH executives as they discuss how the MEDITECH platform for innovation can help you achieve next-level healthcare throughout the continuum. You’ll also hear from customers who’ll share what they’ve learned, and gained, from implementing Expanse. Click here to register

MEDITECH Events for HR/Payroll and Supply Chain Optimization

MEDITECH is hosting two events focused on optimization. These core administrative functions don’t often get the same level of attention as the clinicals or revenue cycle, so we wanted to make sure these are known to our readers:

• November 6 – Optimizing Human Resources and Payroll Event
• November 7 – Optimizing Supply Chain Event

Both events will be held at MEDITECH’s Foxborough, Massachusetts location and apply to all MEDITECH platforms (MAGIC, C/S, 6.x, Expanse).

Click on the links above to register.

NHA Client News

We are pleased to announce we have been selected by the following organizations for their upcoming projects:

• Beacon Health System, South Bend, IN – MEDITECH 6.08 Backfill Support
• Harrington HealthCare System, Southbridge, MA – API Project Support
• Lane Regional Medical Center, Zachary, LA – BBK Historical Validation
• San Juan Regional Medical Center, Farmington, NM – Report Writing Services
• Steward Health Care, Westwood, MA – Steward West Region MEDITECH Implementations

Quick Notes

• Bill Winn, NHA Director of Strategic Services, presented on the topics of “Preparing Hospitals for Promoting Interoperability – Meaningful Use Stage 3” and “Providers and Clinics: Actions to Take Now to Comply with MIPS” at the Mississippi MEDITECH CIO Collaborative’s quarterly meeting in Jackson, Mississippi on August 21.
• Last month, we shared information regarding how MEDITECH is helping home health agencies preparing for the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) that will create new requirements for the home health industry. The new model relies heavily on clinical characteristics and other patient information to determine payment categories. It also calls for the use of 30-day payment periods and the elimination of therapy visit thresholds as a basis for payment, among other changes. Here is a link to the second article in their PDGM series.
• If you haven’t seen it yet, check out CloudWave’s newly redesigned website. It contains great information about the company’s successes, capabilities, and tips for healthcare organizations migrating to the cloud.

Calendar of Events

Upcoming MEDITECH webinars (all times listed in EDT):

Introducing MEDITECH’s Labor and Delivery Solution
September 11, 11:00 AM (Eastern)| 30 min.
Find out how Expanse Labor and Delivery is designed for nurses to take on the unique responsibilities of caring for little ones, as well as their mothers.

Physician’s Experience: ED
September 24, 11:00 AM (Eastern)| 60 min.
This high-level demonstration will show you how MEDITECH’s Emergency Department solution helps ED physicians quickly manage and prioritize patient needs from one central tracker.

Population Health – Working Together for Better Healthcare
September 25, 11:00 AM (Eastern)| 60 min.
Understanding the population around your organization will help shape care to ensure a healthier community. Join MEDITECH as they discuss how EHR tools play a critical role in allowing healthcare organizations and providers to manage their patients effectively.

Gain Mobility with MEDITECH’s Expanse Point of Care Solution
September 26, 11:00 AM (Eastern)| 30 min.
Learn how Expanse Point of Care puts medication administration, documentation and chart review in the palm of your hand.

An Insider look at Cybersecurity
September 26, 1:00 PM (Eastern)| 60 min.
Learn ways to stop malicious software from infiltrating your organization, as well as how to make a smooth recovery if the unthinkable does happen.

Take Control of Your Revenue Cycle with Expanse
September 26, 2:00 PM (Eastern)| 30 min.
See MEDITECH’s proven solution that drives revenue while improving the patient financial experience.

Upcoming Conferences

2019 Revenue Cycle Summit
Foxborough, MA
October 8-9, 2019

Learn how MEDITECH’s strategy for analyzing your revenue cycle will help you to stay competitive and fiscally fit. Registration is now open.

NHA is Hiring

If you are interested in consulting, consider joining us. NHA continues to need excellent MEDITECH specialists and, for the sixth year in a row, we have been named to the “Best Places to Work in Healthcare” list by Modern Healthcare magazine.

We are currently looking for Canadians with MEDITECH implementation experience as clinical leads/project managers for Canadian based Expanse/6.1 projects.

If you are interested, please contact us at recruiting@navinhaffty.com or call us at (855) 309-9334. See what positions are currently available by visiting the NHA Careers page.

Please note at this time we are only able to consider those able to travel up to 80% of the time. Employees of MEDITECH and our clients cannot be considered.

Client Job Board

NHA offers the client job board as a free service to the MEDITECH community.

Job Seekers: If you are interested in exploring positions at other organizations, visit the client job board section of our website often. Feel free to refer colleagues!

Recruiters: If you would like to include your organization’s listing on the client job board, please email the job description and candidate application instructions to Katie Kelly. No recruiting firms, please