Comments for Healthcare IT Podcast http://itpodcast.org/blog Healthcare IT News and Events Now In All 50 States and 42 Countries Around the World Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:00:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Healthcare IT Podcast Episode 112 - Time Management for your Team by David Williams http://itpodcast.org/blog/2008/06/07/healthcare-it-podcast-episode-112-time-management-for-your-team/#comment-34 David Williams Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:28:07 +0000 http://itpodcast.org/blog/2008/06/07/healthcare-it-podcast-episode-112-time-management-for-your-team/#comment-34 This is a great tool. I have to say, I thought it was a bunch of crap when I first thought about it, but I have been dealing with really feeling frustrated just like you said. Although I hate to admit it, you were right. My entire staff did the exercise just like you said, and they all put double the number of items that I did in the "Urgent and Important" category. When we looked at it, we really didn't have that much stuff that was urgent, and my guys really weren't working on the stuff that they should be. I guarantee I will keep using this tool Thank you for doing this, I know it must be a lot of work, but I always get good information from you. Also, thanks for taking the time to email me back when I have questions. I appreciate it. David W. This is a great tool. I have to say, I thought it was a bunch of crap when I first thought about it, but I have been dealing with really feeling frustrated just like you said. Although I hate to admit it, you were right. My entire staff did the exercise just like you said, and they all put double the number of items that I did in the “Urgent and Important” category. When we looked at it, we really didn’t have that much stuff that was urgent, and my guys really weren’t working on the stuff that they should be. I guarantee I will keep using this tool

Thank you for doing this, I know it must be a lot of work, but I always get good information from you. Also, thanks for taking the time to email me back when I have questions. I appreciate it.

David W.

]]> Comment on HIPAA Security by DUMATEK http://itpodcast.org/blog/hipaa-security/#comment-32 DUMATEK Mon, 12 May 2008 18:52:13 +0000 http://itpodcast.org/blog/hipaa-security/#comment-32 I've seen lots of this but in fully practicing HIPAA Security, emloyees are made aware through training of what can happen to them in the event something like this happens. If someone is able to do a teapot joke, there is immedeately a security breach and must be sanctioned, even if the best fix is company wide training. Some employees are now trained to press CTRL+ALT+DELETE and lock their systems when leaving their workstations. They don't do the 2 minute screensaver lock anymore just because they understand from a law standpoint what must be done to protect the CIA of patients information in electronic form. Hope they all become secure before the benefits from the efficiency of EDI become widely in place. DUMATEK I’ve seen lots of this but in fully practicing HIPAA Security, emloyees are made aware through training of what can happen to them in the event something like this happens. If someone is able to do a teapot joke, there is immedeately a security breach and must be sanctioned, even if the best fix is company wide training. Some employees are now trained to press CTRL+ALT+DELETE and lock their systems when leaving their workstations. They don’t do the 2 minute screensaver lock anymore just because they understand from a law standpoint what must be done to protect the CIA of patients information in electronic form. Hope they all become secure before the benefits from the efficiency of EDI become widely in place.

DUMATEK

]]> Comment on Healthcare IT Podcast - Episode 109 by sf3751at http://itpodcast.org/blog/2008/04/19/24/#comment-31 sf3751at Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:44:54 +0000 http://itpodcast.org/blog/2008/04/19/24/#comment-31 I have heard positive comments about Paragon from other sources. It sounds like they are operating with a degree of independence from McKesson. Having been on the receiving end of McKesson products and services for 10 plus years I wonder - 1. How well intergrated Paragon is with HPF, HMM, HMI and other McKesson products. 2. How long before the Paragon group is corrupted by the McKesson culture. I have heard positive comments about Paragon from other sources. It sounds like they are operating with a degree of independence from McKesson. Having been on the receiving end of McKesson products and services for 10 plus years I wonder -
1. How well intergrated Paragon is with HPF, HMM, HMI and other McKesson products.
2. How long before the Paragon group is corrupted by the McKesson culture.

]]> Comment on About by InterOpNurse » Blog Archive » Never 27 Events http://itpodcast.org/blog/about/#comment-30 InterOpNurse » Blog Archive » Never 27 Events Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:35:26 +0000 468070410#comment-30 [...] in Healthcare IT, a came across an interesting Podcast by Spencer Hamons who is the Chief Information Officer for the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center in Alamosa, [...] [...] in Healthcare IT, a came across an interesting Podcast by Spencer Hamons who is the Chief Information Officer for the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center in Alamosa, [...]

]]> Comment on My take on various hospital information systems by Spencer http://itpodcast.org/blog/2008/01/05/my-take-on-various-hospital-information-systems/#comment-26 Spencer Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:23:10 +0000 http://itpodcast.org/blog/2008/01/05/my-take-on-various-hospital-information-systems/#comment-26 Thank you for your comment. You are absolutely right...and perhaps I should discuss this on the next podcast. McKesson is notorious for Nickel and Diming their customers, especially their Horizon and Healthquest customers. Meditech uses horribly old technology, and their hardware requirements will kill you. Would you be interested in being a guest on the show and we can discuss these topics? Thank you for your comment. You are absolutely right…and perhaps I should discuss this on the next podcast. McKesson is notorious for Nickel and Diming their customers, especially their Horizon and Healthquest customers. Meditech uses horribly old technology, and their hardware requirements will kill you. Would you be interested in being a guest on the show and we can discuss these topics?

]]> Comment on My take on various hospital information systems by slatts57 http://itpodcast.org/blog/2008/01/05/my-take-on-various-hospital-information-systems/#comment-25 slatts57 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:51:46 +0000 http://itpodcast.org/blog/2008/01/05/my-take-on-various-hospital-information-systems/#comment-25 Our 3 community hospital system has begun a review of integrated systems for replacement of our current Mckesson Series (AS400) integrated system. With small IS staff and minimal budget an integrated system is about the only viable solution in this market niche. So far I have been disappointed but not suprised about the very few number of truly integrated systems. A true SQL based ".Net" system with the broad modules/functionality needed is rare. I am currently looking at Mckesson Paragon and AHN's (American HealthNet) Clarus products. As a current Mckesson customer I am tired of being nickle and dimed to death by Mckesson but am trying to look by that to the best product. My view of this process is that we could take the comfortable route and 'settle' on a tried and true system (Meditech, CPSI the list goes on...) or make the jump to a modern system with the uncertainties and current lack of modules that comes with that decisison. I am interested in hearing what others are finding in similar searches for a replacement HIS. Our 3 community hospital system has begun a review of integrated systems for replacement of our current Mckesson Series (AS400) integrated system. With small IS staff and minimal budget an integrated system is about the only viable solution in this market niche. So far I have been disappointed but not suprised about the very few number of truly integrated systems. A true SQL based “.Net” system with the broad modules/functionality needed is rare. I am currently looking at Mckesson Paragon and AHN’s (American HealthNet) Clarus products. As a current Mckesson customer I am tired of being nickle and dimed to death by Mckesson but am trying to look by that to the best product. My view of this process is that we could take the comfortable route and ’settle’ on a tried and true system (Meditech, CPSI the list goes on…) or make the jump to a modern system with the uncertainties and current lack of modules that comes with that decisison. I am interested in hearing what others are finding in similar searches for a replacement HIS.

]]> Comment on Healthcare IT Podcast-Episode 103 by Spencer http://itpodcast.org/blog/2008/02/02/healthcare-it-podcast-episode-103/#comment-24 Spencer Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:59:15 +0000 http://itpodcast.org/blog/2008/02/02/healthcare-it-podcast-episode-103/#comment-24 Thanks for commenting on the insights about the nurses “brain sheets”. Probably the best example of why things are the way that they are. I really like the idea of the “quarterback cheat-sheet”. When I implemented clinical documentation at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital in Houston, we offered our nurses tablet PC’s that they could write on instead of having to type. Although the tablet PC’s were really about the size of a standard clipboard, these proved to be a little bit too big. We then tried PDA’s, but these proved to be too small. I think that the form factor that you talk about is a great idea. What we really should take away from your comments is that if we could offer the “right” form factor device, then give nurses the ability to organize their data in a fashion meaningful to that individual nurse…we will get better compliance with bedside documentation. What your comments made me envision is something similar to the personalized Google homepages. You can pick the Google “Gadgets” that you want on your homepage, then you can just click and drag them around the page to the location that you want them in. I have a sneaking suspicion that I will be mentioning this on the next podcast. Thanks again for your comments. Spencer Hamons Chief Information Officer SLV Regional Medical Center Alamosa, CO 81101 Podcast: http://itpodcast.org/blog Thanks for commenting on the insights about the nurses “brain sheets”. Probably the best example of why things are the way that they are.

I really like the idea of the “quarterback cheat-sheet”. When I implemented clinical documentation at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital in Houston, we offered our nurses tablet PC’s that they could write on instead of having to type. Although the tablet PC’s were really about the size of a standard clipboard, these proved to be a little bit too big. We then tried PDA’s, but these proved to be too small. I think that the form factor that you talk about is a great idea.

What we really should take away from your comments is that if we could offer the “right” form factor device, then give nurses the ability to organize their data in a fashion meaningful to that individual nurse…we will get better compliance with bedside documentation. What your comments made me envision is something similar to the personalized Google homepages. You can pick the Google “Gadgets” that you want on your homepage, then you can just click and drag them around the page to the location that you want them in. I have a sneaking suspicion that I will be mentioning this on the next podcast.

Thanks again for your comments.

Spencer Hamons
Chief Information Officer
SLV Regional Medical Center
Alamosa, CO 81101
Podcast: http://itpodcast.org/blog

]]> Comment on Healthcare IT Podcast-Episode 103 by Crystal RN http://itpodcast.org/blog/2008/02/02/healthcare-it-podcast-episode-103/#comment-23 Crystal RN Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:46:44 +0000 http://itpodcast.org/blog/2008/02/02/healthcare-it-podcast-episode-103/#comment-23 Enjoy your podcast. As a nurse for 18 years, I understand how nurses work. Nurses carry what is often referred to as "Brain sheets". This is a extremely important to us. It is a piece of paper that each nurse sets up/arranges in their own (sometimes illogical) way, to tract the things that need to be done for each patient. When and what labs they might need, medication times, and specific care items that might need to be done. It is how we organize how shift. So until another mechanism is put in place that can help the nurse with this task, nurses will continue to carry these sheets of paper. My solution. An electronic gantt chart to be viewed on a pda. We spend a great deal of time trying to figure out how going to give all the meds that have to be given in the given time frame. A gantt chart could show what to run first, second, third etc, and what can run simultaneously. While this may seem easy enough, but evaluate and try to put into practice on a pediactric oncology or an ICU and one will see what I am talking about. Take a look at a nurses "Brain sheet" then look at strategies to get rid of the "double" documentation. Secondly, the location of the location of the computers in some of the rooms. With the rooms cramped with pumps, poles, extra cot/chair for parents, it is often extremely difficult, if not, impossible, to get to the bedside computer to chart. And wheeling a cart with a computer on it, into an already, overcrowded room is a hassel. Believe me, I am all for getting rid of paper, and the software is there, but the big/bulky hardware is not. Small device that a nurse can strap to her arm, like quarterbacks cheat sheets, would be great. But we are not there yet. But look at the nurses "brain sheet" if you really want to understand what she needs or what she is doing. The nurses spend the first 30 minutes of their shift creating & organizing the information on it. Enjoy your podcast.
As a nurse for 18 years, I understand how nurses work. Nurses carry what is often referred to as “Brain sheets”. This is a extremely important to us. It is a piece of paper that each nurse sets up/arranges in their own (sometimes illogical) way, to tract the things that need to be done for each patient. When and what labs they might need, medication times, and specific care items that might need to be done. It is how we organize how shift. So until another mechanism is put in place that can help the nurse with this task, nurses will continue to carry these sheets of paper. My solution. An electronic gantt chart to be viewed on a pda. We spend a great deal of time trying to figure out how going to give all the meds that have to be given in the given time frame. A gantt chart could show what to run first, second, third etc, and what can run simultaneously. While this may seem easy enough, but evaluate and try to put into practice on a pediactric oncology or an ICU and one will see what I am talking about. Take a look at a nurses “Brain sheet” then look at strategies to get rid of the “double” documentation.
Secondly, the location of the location of the computers in some of the rooms. With the rooms cramped with pumps, poles, extra cot/chair for parents, it is often extremely difficult, if not, impossible, to get to the bedside computer to chart. And wheeling a cart with a computer on it, into an already, overcrowded room is a hassel. Believe me, I am all for getting rid of paper, and the software is there, but the big/bulky hardware is not. Small device that a nurse can strap to her arm, like quarterbacks cheat sheets, would be great. But we are not there yet. But look at the nurses “brain sheet” if you really want to understand what she needs or what she is doing. The nurses spend the first 30 minutes of their shift creating & organizing the information on it.

]]> Comment on Healthcare IT Podcast-Episode 104 by Spencer http://itpodcast.org/blog/2008/02/16/healthcare-it-podcast-episode-104/#comment-22 Spencer Wed, 20 Feb 2008 23:08:57 +0000 http://itpodcast.org/blog/2008/02/16/healthcare-it-podcast-episode-104/#comment-22 Thanks Jason for the comments. Here is what I have going on for my podcast setup, and MusiciansFriend.com is probably some of the best pricing you can find online. I use a Behringer analog mixer. The one that I use can be found here: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-Eurorack-UB1222FXPRO-Mixer?sku=631229 This mixer is pretty cool as it also provides a USB interface for your PC. It has phantom power (which is necessary for condenser microphones), plus plenty of line level inputs (which I get music from my computer, as well as my telephone input…and my bass guitar just for fun). I used to do sound at my church, so I am comfortable with an analog mixer, plus they are cheap, so that is why I went with this one. I also like the EQ that comes with it. For the price, it is quiet as well. For a microphone, I use a CAD condenser microphone. I really like how well it picks up the sound. I also use a shockmount to keep the bumps to a minimum, and I also use a Raxxess Pop filter (you can hear a lot of “pops” in the first show. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/CAD-GXL3000-Microphone?sku=270366 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MXL-MXL90-Microphone-Shockmount?sku=273163 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Raxxess-Pop-Filter-Kit?sku=421640 For the phone interview, this was a little more fun to setup. What I did was take my standard cordless phone from home, which has a standard 3/32” jack for a headset. I went to Radio Shack and found a 3/32” Y adapter. On one side of the Y Adapter, I plug in my standard telephone headset. On the other side of the Y adapter, I plug in a cable that goes from 3/32” to ¼”. That plugs into one of the Behringer Mixer line level inputs. During the phone interview, the people on the other end of the line hear me through the microphone on the standard headset…but the mixer receives the signal and processes it through the computer. For the actual recording, I have a dual core PC with a 500GB, 7500 rpm hard drive and 4GB of RAM. I record using Adobe Audition 3.0. You can get a 30 day trial of the software from Adobe. There are other free software packages out there, but I had used Audition in the past when doing voice over work and radio commercials, so it was just easier to stick with what I knew. I use HostMonster as my web hosting company, and the blog site it put together with WordPress, which is a free download. I also use the PodPress plugin. I hope this gives you a good idea of what I am doing…let me know if you have any other questions. And PLEASE…pass the podcast information around. The more people that will listen, the more guests I will have willing to take time to be on the podcast. Thanks!!! Spencer Hamons Chief Information Officer SLV Regional Medical Center 106 Blanca Avenue Alamosa, CO 81101 Podcast: http://itpodcast.org Thanks Jason for the comments.

Here is what I have going on for my podcast setup, and MusiciansFriend.com is probably some of the best pricing you can find online.

I use a Behringer analog mixer. The one that I use can be found here:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-Eurorack-UB1222FXPRO-Mixer?sku=631229

This mixer is pretty cool as it also provides a USB interface for your PC. It has phantom power (which is necessary for condenser microphones), plus plenty of line level inputs (which I get music from my computer, as well as my telephone input…and my bass guitar just for fun). I used to do sound at my church, so I am comfortable with an analog mixer, plus they are cheap, so that is why I went with this one. I also like the EQ that comes with it. For the price, it is quiet as well.

For a microphone, I use a CAD condenser microphone. I really like how well it picks up the sound. I also use a shockmount to keep the bumps to a minimum, and I also use a Raxxess Pop filter (you can hear a lot of “pops” in the first show.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/CAD-GXL3000-Microphone?sku=270366
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MXL-MXL90-Microphone-Shockmount?sku=273163
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Raxxess-Pop-Filter-Kit?sku=421640

For the phone interview, this was a little more fun to setup. What I did was take my standard cordless phone from home, which has a standard 3/32” jack for a headset. I went to Radio Shack and found a 3/32” Y adapter. On one side of the Y Adapter, I plug in my standard telephone headset. On the other side of the Y adapter, I plug in a cable that goes from 3/32” to ¼”. That plugs into one of the Behringer Mixer line level inputs. During the phone interview, the people on the other end of the line hear me through the microphone on the standard headset…but the mixer receives the signal and processes it through the computer.

For the actual recording, I have a dual core PC with a 500GB, 7500 rpm hard drive and 4GB of RAM. I record using Adobe Audition 3.0. You can get a 30 day trial of the software from Adobe. There are other free software packages out there, but I had used Audition in the past when doing voice over work and radio commercials, so it was just easier to stick with what I knew.

I use HostMonster as my web hosting company, and the blog site it put together with WordPress, which is a free download. I also use the PodPress plugin.

I hope this gives you a good idea of what I am doing…let me know if you have any other questions. And PLEASE…pass the podcast information around. The more people that will listen, the more guests I will have willing to take time to be on the podcast.

Thanks!!!

Spencer Hamons
Chief Information Officer
SLV Regional Medical Center
106 Blanca Avenue
Alamosa, CO 81101
Podcast: http://itpodcast.org

]]> Comment on Healthcare IT Podcast-Episode 104 by jasonrn http://itpodcast.org/blog/2008/02/16/healthcare-it-podcast-episode-104/#comment-21 jasonrn Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:50:57 +0000 http://itpodcast.org/blog/2008/02/16/healthcare-it-podcast-episode-104/#comment-21 Hi Spencer, Good job in this podcast. Very informative and I am learning a lot. Love your perspective. I am a nurse and I am looking to start my own podcast covering nursing related issues. I am from California and now have to deal with a mandated 4:1 ratio (with a shortage). Anyway...I was wondering if you have any advice for a new podcaster. I am particularly interested in your set-up, what you found to work. How were you able to conduct that Phoen interview with Klas..what was that set-up like. Thank you in advance for the advice, adn keep up the good work. Your new follower and fan, Jason Hi Spencer,

Good job in this podcast. Very informative and I am learning a lot. Love your perspective. I am a nurse and I am looking to start my own podcast covering nursing related issues. I am from California and now have to deal with a mandated 4:1 ratio (with a shortage). Anyway…I was wondering if you have any advice for a new podcaster. I am particularly interested in your set-up, what you found to work. How were you able to conduct that Phoen interview with Klas..what was that set-up like. Thank you in advance for the advice, adn keep up the good work.

Your new follower and fan,

Jason

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