Use of Mobile Devices Increasing in Health Care

A recent article on Bloomberg.com highlights the increasing use of wireless devices such as smartphones and tablet PCs in the delivery and receipt of health care. The article emphasizes not only the popularity of such devices, but the real and potential health benefits they afford or promise, such as increased collaboration between patients and physicians.

The Information Technology group within CCHS is actively exploring ways to leverage this technology for our patients and providers. As usual, things are moving at "County speed", but we hope to include better affordance for mobile devices as part of the iSITE (intranet) redesign project. Beyond that, we want to develop a strategic approach to supporting mobile computing for CCHS. If you have ideas that you would like us to consider, I encourage you to publish them as comments to this post, so that we can begin a conversation about needs, expectations, and visions.

Is there any interest in forming an informal advisory board to offer suggestions and guidance to IT on this topic? Contact me if you'd like to participate.

CMS/HHS Release Meaningful-Use Regs

The CMS and HHS' Office of the National Coordinator issued their much-anticipated final meaningful-use information technology regulations. These are the rules that hospitals and physicians must follow to be eligible for a portion of the $27.3 billion in financial incentives authorized by the stimulus act.

Responding to concerns from providers, hospitals and physicians will not be required to satisfy all of the objectives in the new standard in order to qualify. The new standard establishes a "core set of objectives" and a "menu set of objectives". "Meaningful" EHR users must meet the measure for each objective in the core set and meet all but five of the objectives in the menu set. The standard also adopts an incremental approach to requiring adoption of CPOE (computerized physician order entry).

UW Safely Reduces Resident Hours with Computerized Rounding and Sign-Out

The University of Washington has developed a computer system for the handover of patient responsibilities that promises to reduce the amount of time that residents spend signing out and recopying data prerounds.

The system, called "UW Cores", was evaluated in a 14-week, randomized crossover study involving 14 inpatient resident teams (6 general surgery, 8 internal medicine) at two hospitals. The study suggests that resident time can be reduced while simultaneously improving continuity and enhanced resident efficiency without weakening systemic defenses against error or jeopardizing patient safety.

The study, by Erik Van Eaton, MD, Karen McDonough, MD, William Lober, MD, Eric Johnson, MS, Carlos Pellegrini, MD, and Karen Horvath, MD, is available at the Academic Medicine website. Subscription is required to access the full text.

"IS" Becomes "IT"

In an all-hands staff meeting this afternoon, CIO David Runt announced that, effective immediately, the "Information Systems" business unit will be officially known as "Information Technology".

This change is part of a broader reorganization that will be occurring in the IT department over the coming months, but the rebranding also reflects Mr. Runt's desire to emphasize the full range of professional services provided by our department.

I'd say, "New name, same great service," but the reorg, combined with our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, is intended to enhance both IT performance and customer satisfaction.

Contra Costa Health Services Information Technology, at your service!

Microsoft and Google Unveil "Community Health Mapping" Applications

Coinciding with Wednesday's launch of the Community Health Data Initiative (aimed at leveraging community health information to spur the development of new applications that could improve health care), both Google and Microsoft announced new health mapping applications.

Microsoft is releasing Bing Health Maps, using community health data from the Health & Human Services (HHS) department to help consumers compare Medicare costs by region. It provides access to national or county-specific information on topics like births, deaths, and health risk factors.

Google is rolling out Google Fusion Tables, which is a database service intended to help patients compare and share data on communities, hospitals, and nursing homes. Consumers can use the application to create custom maps highlighting data of interest.

The Future of the User Interface?

Did you see Minority Report, the Steven Spielberg movie starring Tom Cruise (based on a short story by Philip K. Dick)?

The film features a futuristic computer user interface (UI) that intrigued viewers and suggested an entirely new way of interacting with computing devices. The story was set in 2054, but it turns out that the future is almost here.... See the film's science advisor, inventor John Underkoffler, present the current state of the art in a TED Talk posted on the I.S. homepage in iSITE.

Roger Case, R.I.P.

from the Contra Costa Times:

Roger D. Case
Oct. 12, 1943 ~ April 12, 2010

Sadly we announce the passing of Roger Case on April 12, 2010 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He now rests with the Lord, from whom he sought guidance, strength and wisdom.

Roger leaves behind his beloved Patty Taylor, parents Bob and June Case, brother and sister-in-law Ron and Nita Case, nieces, nephews and grandchildren who affectionately called him "Grumpy."

Born in Oakland, CA. Roger attended Claremont Jr. High and Oakland Technical High and later received a Bachelor's Degree in Business. After duty in the National Guard Roger's work lead to a career in computer technology, one of Roger's many passions. Roger worked for Contra Costa County Health Services through 2009 as an IT engineer. He was a devoted and grateful member of Alcoholics Anonymous; he gave tirelessly to newcomers seeking sobriety and others simply seeking his wisdom. When he spoke people listened knowing his sharing would be either profound and life changing or funny to the point of tears. He was an avid runner with the Diablo Road Runners. He loved music, cars, Harleys, literature, photography and poetry. Roger had a passion for life and the people in it, but his greatest love was for God.

Celebrate Roger's life May 1, 2010 at 1:00pm at Calvary Temple, 4725 Evora Road, Concord, CA 94520.

Donations can be made to The Wellness Community 3276 Mcnutt Ave, Walnut Creek, CA 94597.

Goodby, Roger. We'll miss you!