The push to vaccinate Americans for Covid-19 is highlighting a potential weak link in the supply chain: refrigerators and freezers. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines approved for emergency use in the U.S. both require cold storage, and at least two hospitals have reported vaccine freezer failures, including the Boston VA where an unplugged freezer spoiled […]
Our national effort to vaccinate for Covid-19 is proving more difficult than expected. Even with two authorized vaccines (and others pending), ‘last mile’ challenges from storage limitations and a shortage of vaccination supplies to patient scheduling issues and vaccine hesitancy have hindered the U.S. rollout. Yet another concern, say experts, is vaccination staffing. That is, having […]
An American Hospital Association study estimates financial losses for U.S. based hospitals at a staggering $320 billion for the year 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has significantly impacted IT spending and forced IT leaders to explore new ways to reduce the cost of IT while ensuring care continuity. Reducing “keep the […]
As this most challenging year nears an end, we are still... thankful. Thankful for everyone who works in healthcare. Thankful for our friends and family. Thankful for our clients and consultants. But perhaps most of all, we are thankful for vaccines and the promise of brighter days ahead. All of us at Healthcare IT Leaders […]
As efforts to increase diagnostic testing for COVID-19 accelerate, some consumers may still have questions about the types of tests available, who can perform them and where, and what differentiates one test from another. The guide below, adapted from the FDA website, should help answer some of these common questions. COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests In certain […]
Smell loss (or Anosmia) is one of the first and telltale symptoms of Covid-19, according to the CDC. That’s why a growing number of experts advocate screening for loss of smell as a simple, cost-effective way to prevent Covid-19 spread. “My impression is that anosmia is an earlier symptom of Covid-19 relative to fever, and […]
The drive to modernize the delivery of virtual care to support the pandemic is unprecedented. More than ever, innovation is needed to deliver primary care via telemedicine and remote monitoring services, and to protect patient data and reduce medical errors. Deploying technology to enhance patient care and safety starts one hospital at a time and […]
For a fifth consecutive year, Healthcare IT Leaders ranks among the fastest-growing staffing firms in the U.S., according to a new report from Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA). The 2020 SIA list is based on compound average growth rate (CAGR) from 2015 through 2019. Healthcare IT Leaders is ranked 50th on the overall list and is one of […]
It feels like physicians spend as much time in front a computer screen these days as they do seeing patients. That's not far from the truth, according to some studies, like this one. But it doesn't have to be that way. As someone who has spent most of her professional career in EHR training, I […]
Ready or not, price transparency is coming. On Jan 1, 2021, the much-anticipated hospital price transparency rules from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) go into effect. Finalized in November 2019, these rules require hospitals to publicize their list of standard charges for items and services ranging from supplies and room and board […]
When patients call a health system to schedule an appointment, they expect the same experience whether they’re talking to primary care, neurology, or pediatrics. And they expect to be able to get an appointment that meets their preferences for location, date, time of day, and provider. In theory, this should be an efficient process, but […]
Under pressure to increase productivity while reducing operating expenses, more healthcare organizations are looking at Kronos for Workforce Management to better understand and manage their staffing levels and labor costs. Other considerations putting WFM in the spotlight include workplace safety, the shift to remote work, compliance requirements, and union contracts and policies, just to name […]