Electronic health record safe harbors

Physicians who are interested in obtaining such technology from donors, such as hospital, should carefully examine whether the proposed arrangement can be structured within appropriate e-Prescribing and/or e-Health Records safe harbor and exception.

Choosing electronic health record systems

By taking one step at a time, you can narrow down the list of potential vendors, learn all you can about the functionality and features of each system, and then select the one that is right for your practice.

Build an effective website for your practice 

Providing information only scratches the surface of what you can do with your web site.

Selecting the right computer hardware 

Computer prices are rock bottom nowadays. But does this mean you should simply run out to the nearest electronics or office store and snatch up the cheapest one available?

Speech recognition technology for physicians 

Because of the relatively low cost, willingness of the vendors to customize the product, and increased demands on physicians, speech recognition software has become one of the fastest growing sectors in the entire health care market.

Computer security: Is anti-virus software enough? 

When it comes to information security, there is no silver bullet. Planning and preparation are required.

Decision support at the point of care 

Technology is now available which, by applying up-to-date clinical data to disease management guidelines, can provide practitioners with easy-to-use, best evidenced-based, recommended treatment plans for direct patient use.

Voice over Internet Protocol connections 

Physicians, nurses and administrators will not only be able to communicate with a larger field of colleagues, but do so using advanced features not available with traditional phone lines and much lower long-distance bills.

Business side of information systems

The success of a new system implementation is partially dependent on the success of the technical deployment, but equally important is the staff's willingness and preparedness for the change.

E-healthcare and the MD-patient relationship

By using web technologies, we may see a decrease in office visits and telephone calls because patients are able to find basic information through the doctor’s interactive text, graphics, audio and video web service.

Using specialized software to detect fraud

You can use two types of specialized computer software to analyze your financial and operational information in order to detect fraud: Data Extraction software and Financial Analysis software.

Information technology in the medical practice

Just why is it that the practice of medicine is one of the few businesses today that still keeps the majority of its customer information in paper file folders? And how can a practice ensure that when it is ready to automate, it is making the best possible decisions?

Practice management computer software

Many practices are dealing with vendors that have contacted them with confusing correspondence about whether or not they will be HIPAA compliant, or have failed to provide adequate updates on insurance company regulations.

Outsourcing practice IT functions

More than half of physician practices indicate interest in outsourcing their management information systems/information technology (MIS/IT) function. To evaluate outsourcing options among three broad categories, you can use the three "Cs" as a benchmark: cost, control and capability.

Selecting the right computer system

The implications of this decision extend far beyond the purchase price of the software and hardware. There are a wide variety of systems on the market, and it is important to identify the features you are looking for before purchasing a system.

Adding 2nd generation functionality to your website

Following the lead of hospitals, physician groups are adding more dynamic content and interactivity to their websites. While the potential functionality to be added is limitless, there are several enhancements that provide a balance between the ease of implementation and expected benefits.

Removing obstacles to a paperless office

The use of electronic medical records has been slowly growing but is not expanding as quickly as many expected. There are several potential reasons for this.

Advances in communications technologies

Several important trends virtually ensure that automation of medical practice operations, including certain clinical activities, will grow significantly and rapidly.

Evolving uses of health care on the Internet

As health care on the Internet continues to evolve from fairly static first generation information sites toward third generation interactive health management programs online, courts, regulators and private accrediting entities are struggling to apply existing law to a new medium and to develop new law when needed.

Four-phased Internet strategy for physician practices

Internet/intranet technologies offer new capabilities to the health care
industry due to their ease of use, platform independence and inexpensive
connectivity. Taking advantage of these evolving capabilities can help lower
costs, improve patient/member service and assist in the delivery of
better-coordinated care.

Data warehousing for improved decisions

Compiling and analyzing data from single or multiple sources can help identify ways to better utilize resources, evaluate business lines, reveal health patterns, understand the financial performance of an area and lead to better understanding and performance in risk-based contracts.

Marketing your medical practice on the Internet

If you use it correctly, the website you establish on the Internet can be an extremely effective marketing tool for your medical practice.

Negotiating a Year 2000 software upgrade

Many physicians throughout the country are just being informed that their computer systems are not Year 2000 compliant and are being asked to spend thousands of dollars to become compliant. Some of these practices have been successful in negotiating a reduced price for their Year 2000 upgrade

Legal implications of informatics revolution

Parties to health care electronic data exchange must focus on a range of transactional issues and state and federal requirements.

What every physician should know when buying new billing software.

Imaging and document management systems

Imaging and document management systems can dramatically cut the time physicians spend searching for necessary information. However, medical practices must carefully evaluate certain aspects of an imaging and document management solution, as the wrong system may diminish its overall value.

Constructing a physician Web site

The opportunity for patients to be able to access information about you, to ask questions, and even to schedule appointments is here and waiting for you to take advantage of it

Documentation and coding tools

Given ample reason to be concerned about their documentation and coding habits, physicians need to examine the strengths and weaknesses of various products and services available to expedite those tasks. Documentation efficiency aside, one might also contemplate how useful these systems are to actual patient care.

As computers start appearing in the clinical side of the physician's office, more physicians become conversant with new information technologies and Internet usage become the norm, many distinctly different systems are emerging to assist physicians in providing clinical care to their patients.

Information technologies such as interactive video conferencing and interactive modules on the World Wide Web are making CME more accessible and convenient. Take a look at the next generation of CME delivery.

Physicians are searching high and low for Internet sites that help them stay informed and involved with health care topics. Here are some of the make-your-life-easier resources that will help to keep you ahead of the curve.

While some health care organizations remain disappointed with their Internet results, others sense they're on the edge of an unprecedented era of global communication, electronic commerce and education. This article provides guidelines to ensure your success.

Web-based protocol information management

Coordinating cancer treatment protocols across a hospital network is a demanding task. See how it can be made more manageable using the World Wide Web.

Six steps to structure your choice of medical practice software. Forming an educated selection team, focusing objectives, defining requirements, interacting with vendors and more. A guide to pre-empt chaos and frustration.

How an offsite computer-based management information system can be used achieve higher clinical practice efficiencies by wire. What to outsource and what to keep in-house.