Technology

Healthcare as an industry has been slow to apply information technology solutions in an effort to transform its clinical systems. But that seems to be changing.

It looks Like the healthcare industry-at least the provider side-may be catching on to this "information technology" thing.

Using integration to create a two-way street between clinical and revenue systems has posed a challenged to managed care.

THE USE OF technology in the challenge to improve patient safety has become more widespread as technological solutions have improved and their costs have decreased. Healthcare organizations can now see a quick return on investment (ROI), both financially and medically.

Benefits are many, but healthcare still lags other industries in adoption of wireless integration

Informatoin highway remains pivotal to increase patients' understanding of value

Properly used, evidence-based medicine can bring research to the forefront

Regulatory and financial incentives drive the use of credit card technology in healthcare

Legislation expands reimbursement, but concerns about liability, eligibility and privacy might constrain its broad range expansion

Tips on implementing IT strategies in long-term care

Despite obstacles, post-acute and nursing-home facilities see value of IT in improving care

Healthcare professionals begin to realize benefits of mobility and instant access

Clinical decision support within a CPOE system can simplify the treatment planning process

Plans are making some progress, but providers still rely on paper, phone calls and out-dated technology

Consumer focus in an enterprise-wide strategy

Increased patient satisfaction, improved performance and revenue become apparent as paper trails dwindle

American Telemedicine Assn. offers tips

Telemedicine taps into self-monitoring and the breed of informed patients in the home-care arena

Extranet access management allows precise control of which users can access which parts of a site

Ask hard-hitting questions about data security, backup and recovery when outsourcing IT functions

Hospitals that use bar codes for medication administration will see decreases in medical errors and considerable return on investment

In this age of high-speed, high-cost computer technology, healthcare payers and providers are seeking ways to link up with state-of-the-art Web-based systems while avoiding break-the-bank IT capital investments.

HIPAA standardization provisions will streamline interchagnes of previously unwieldy processes

Need for rapid HIPAA compliance spurs Web-based curricula use for career mapping and development

Technology halts suspicious claims earlier to prevent fraud before payment is rendered

As plans address today's technology needs, conflicting functions create potentially disruptive technologies

Costs stay down, bottom lines stay healthy when companies take advantage of ASPs

Physician order entry remains the key to decision support

Your employees want every next new new thing in medicine, but innovations don't come cheap. With some careful cost shifting, you can buy more than you might think.

These errors kill tens of thousands of patients annually; computerized systems, used correctly, can help lessen that number, improve quality of care