Planning For the Road Ahead

We already had an article about data breaches scheduled for this issue when the Omnibus Rule was released. However, the rule certainly contains a lot of new information to incorporate into your privacy and security efforts. Subcontractors now fall under the same requirements as business associates and those contracts are going to require updating. Providers are going to be held to high standards for a thorough, detailed risk analysis which should include documented, effective staff training.

It should come as little surprise that our leadership survey on the state of health IT found that a data breach is respondents’ No. 1 privacy and security concern.

The survey also found that, when asked to name their top priorities, health IT leaders rank clinical quality and safety at the top of the list (68 percent). It’s encouraging to know that even with the transition to ICD-10, Meaningful Use and many other initiatives, providers are keeping their eyes on the whole point of all these efforts. It wouldn’t be difficult to understand that the mandates and regulations would distract IT leadership from the underlying cause.

As you’ll see, the survey revealed numerous other interesting facts and figures, including how well healthcare organizations are proceeding with Meaningful Use and ICD-10 implementation, as well as their plans for accountable care and establishing an innovation or transformation role.

Clinical documentation improvement is one of those initiatives that can make it difficult to focus on the overarching end goal. Documentation was used for years primarily to drive revenue but Luke Gale writes about several organizations where improved documentation can improve patient safety and outcomes. If a provider fails to document all facets of a patient’s disease, all treatment provided to the patient and all of the patient’s risk factors, the provider is putting the patient at risk for medical error. Read the full article.

Be sure to check out our HIMSS13 preview as well for highlights on this year’s speakers, new symposia, featured offerings in the exhibit hall and more. Enjoy the conference and see Lyle Berkowitz’s column this month for tips of how to get the most out of the event. And, don't forget to see our editorial team’s live coverage.