OSMA's Management Symposium 4/5/2013
Posted December 18th, 2012 by Wes // in Agil IT Events, Healthcare // No Comments
Join Wes at the OSMA’s Annual Management Symposium, where he will discuss employee performance management. In business, as in life, you get the results you both incent and deserve. Yet most practices are unable to clearly articulate to their physicians and staff where they are headed - and what each staff member's role is in getting there. Further, many practices have bonus programs which are either completely discretionary, based on tenure, or non-existent. It should come as no surprise that morale in these cases is lackluster - and turnover is high. In this session, attendees will learn how to tie employee compensation to desired business results to improve practice productivity, decrease staff turnover and increase morale. Register at www.osma.org.
NeHC Rural Health Resources
Posted November 14th, 2012 by Wes // in Agil IT Events, Healthcare // No Comments
This webinar will showcase examples of health IT programs and resources available to assist providers in rural and underserved communities and provide information on how providers can access them. Yael Harris from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will describe various programs and resources they provide that are targeted to help rural and underserved communities. Sally Buck from the National Rural Health Resource Center in Minnesota, both a HRSA grantee and a Regional Extension Center under the ONC program, will describe what they are doing to assist healthcare providers in implementing health IT in rural communities. Leila Samy, Rural Health IT Coordinator at ONC, will discuss an interagency task force on improving the adoption of health IT in rural communities. Marcia Cheadle from Inland Northwest Health Services (INHS) will describe how they are helping providers in rural areas better serve their communities. Wes Gipe, CEO of Agil IT, will present an integrated approach that addresses the unique clinical, operational and financial challenges facing rural providers. Panelists will provide examples of healthcare providers who have taken advantage of these programs and resources.
The Importance of Audience
Posted November 7th, 2011 by Wes // in Business, Healthcare, Random Thoughts // No Comments
Take a few moments and read this: http://www.hitechanswers.net/getting-staff-buy-in-for-ehr-implementation/. Marsha form our tribe shared this with me over the weekend and I think it’s a fantastic way to illustrate the importance of considering your audience before speaking. Abraham Lincoln famously quipped "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt". Many times, in my experience, consideration (or lack thereof) of the audience is the difference between a foolish remark and a profound one. Seldom is the point totally invalid – it’s just delivered in such a way that the audience can’t connect with it (or, in extreme cases, even offends). I think we all have a lot to learn from this.
Challenge for the week – think about the audience in front of you (this can be a client, a co-worker, your child, your spouse, etc….) before you speak. Be conscious of the result. Did it make a difference?
ALERT TO PHYSICIANS WHO HAVE RECEIVED LETTERS RE. E-PRESCRIBE NON-COMPLIANCE
Posted October 31st, 2011 by Wes // in Healthcare // No Comments
ALERT TO PHYSICIANS WHO HAVE RECEIVED LETTERS RE. E-PRESCRIBE NON-COMPLIANCE
CMS sent out letters this week to physicians that they believed had not sent in at least 10 e-prescriptions on Medicare Part B patients by June 30, 2011. Consequently, these physicians will be docked 1% of their Medicare Part B payments in 2012.
Unfortunately, there are physicians appearing on the list that have submitted the required 10 e-prescriptions by June 30th and their names erroneously appear. This has created “widespread panic” among practices that attempted to comply with the e-prescribe regulations and are now not sure what to do. To compound the problem, the Payment Adjustment Feedback Report that was supposed to be available prior to November 1st to verify the billing information by practice is now not going to be released until November or December. So there is no way to check directly at this point.
Therefore, practices are urged to take these steps:
- Have their billing department pull remits/EOBs and establish the list of patients that had prescriptions submitted between January 1, 2011 – June 30, 2011 that had the N365 code appear in the G88553 box on the form. This will verify that the claim was captured for e-prescribe. Note: the only prescriptions that will be tabulated are Medicare Part B fee-for-service patients and do not include Medicare Advantage patients.
- Have the physicians apply for an e-prescribe exemption through the CMS website. Here is the information on how to access and tips about registering. Note, there is not a category for exemption that covers this situation, so the practice will need to check off another category and then list their explanation in the Justification for Hardship Exemption box:
Please keep in mind that the physician must file by November 1, 2011, so they should start working on it now. It is a simple one-page form that is done online, but must be done by the provider. Keep in mind:
https://www.qualitynet.org/portal/server.pt/community/communications_support_system/234
Above is the link to CMS to apply for an exemption. The form is very short. All the physician needs to do is enter his/her name, address, NPI, TIN and with 250 words or less state why he/she should receive an exemption. The physician needs to select which exemption he/she wishes to seek and give the justification. At the bottom of the page, the physician will click the “I accept” button and then hit “Submit.”
A few things to note:
- Under the section marked “Requestor Relationship” they need to select “Health Care Provider.” Any other selection will kick out the request, since the physician is supposed to complete the request for him or herself.
- All fields marked with a red asterisk need to be filled out or an error message will pop up and the submission can’t go forward.
Once the physician completes the submission, he/she should receive an e-mail within a few minutes telling them that their submission was received. It usually takes about 30 days to process, but the e-mail acknowledging it is almost instantaneous. If they do not receive an e-mail within about 10 minutes (check the Spam folder!) have them resubmit.
30% of the industry uses this solution, and experts advise you should be, but are you?
Posted September 22nd, 2011 by Wes // in Business, Technical // No Comments
Multiple monitor setups - an underutilized time-saving solution
30% of the industry uses this solution, and experts advise you should be, but are you?
I don't know how people work off just one monitor. I currently use four monitors, and I can't imagine how it would be to work with just one. Studies show that having multiple monitors will result in a 5% to 20% productivity gain. A good 20 inch monitor is about $300, so depending on the billing rate, it could pay for itself in a couple of days. In my classes I ask how many people are using multiple monitors, and it's only about a third of the class. 70% to 90% of people should be using more than one monitor. I think that people don't do it because they don't understand or don't believe that having multiple monitors will boost productivity." -Randy Johnston, industry expert consistently named as one of the 100 Most Influential People by Accounting Today.
In most office settings, desktop multitasking is no longer a workstyle choice—it's a way of life. Finance and accounting professionals typically run several desktop applications simultaneously, in addition to an email client and perhaps instant messaging software. On top of that, a desktop will have one or more browser windows open, providing market watch and research capabilities at your fingertips.
You can jump from one application to another using your mouse or the tab function, but such efforts can be clumsy and inefficient. Multitasking with a single monitor is akin to flipping through a stack of clutter to find what you need at that moment. But imagine if you could have such paperwork spread out across your desk and always visible.
The increased popularity of multi-display systems has as much to do with advances in technology as it does with economics. Though Windows 98 first allowed for dual display configurations, bulky CRTs sat on most desks back then and many workspaces simply could not have accommodated more than one such monitor. Flat-panel displays solved the space problem, but with prices often exceeding $1000, they were long considered a luxury.
Today's monitors, by contrast, are just a fraction of that cost, making the addition of a second or third monitor a negligible expense. And with numerous studies estimating productivity increases of anywhere from 10 to 45 percent, the payback is almost immediate.
With multiple monitors, for example, one could refresh quotes or take feeds on one screen, pull up research on a second screen, and pull up client information or process transactions on a third, without any opening/closing or maximizing/minimizing of applications. In considering the increased efficiency, many professionals who have switched to a dual or multi-monitor display have regarded the switch as transformational.
Agil IT Recognized by CRN Magazine as Top Healthcare VAR
Posted November 17th, 2010 by Wes // in Agil IT News // No Comments
Troy, Ohio, November 11, 2010 – Agil IT, the region's leader in ambulatory healthcare information technology, today announced that they have been recognized by Everything Channel’s CRN Magazine as one of the Top Healthcare VARs. According to IDC Health Insights, growth in implementation of electronic medical records (EMR) and health information exchange technologies will help spur worldwide growth of Healthcare IT spending over the next three years to over $13 billion. As a result, support levels for EMRs and infrastructure technologies have heavily increased, presenting an ideal opportunity for VARs in this market. This first annual list recognizes VARs, systems integrators, consultancies, platform specialists and developers that have taken advantage of this growing market and are seeing great success in the healthcare space.
Agil IT has experienced rapid growth and regional attention for its unique EMR consulting and healthcare infrastructure implementations. The expertise of the staff and the consultative approach specific to creating healthcare solutions has positioned Agil IT as a thought leader in the industry. Agil IT has a unique engagement framework which enables better business results, while mitigating risk for their clients.
“Increased regulations and the move to electronic health records are fueling an interest in the healthcare market,” said Kelley Damore, Vice President, Editorial Director, Everything Channel. “These 100 VARs saw the opportunity early and are now supplying healthcare providers with integrated and customized IT solutions to meet their demanding needs.”
“Agil IT is proud to be recognized as a leading provider of technology solutions to the healthcare industry,” stated Wes Gipe, President of Agil IT. “Our broad range of technology solutions and over a decade of experience provides our clients with the business efficiencies they need to survive in these challenging economic times.”
A special feature of the Top Healthcare VARs is in the October issue of CRN Magazine and expanded coverage will be featured online at http://www.crn.com.
About Agil IT
Agil IT enables operational and clinical excellence to the ambulatory healthcare markets by providing a wide variety of clinical, business, and IT solutions. Their comprehensive range of programs and services includes system implementation, integration, optimization, project management, custom reporting, education and knowledge transfer expertise. Agil IT consultants and principals listen, advise and strengthen their customers in the pursuit of their strategic IT initiatives.
Everything Channel
Everything Channel is the premier provider of IT channel-focused events, media, research, consulting, and sales and marketing services. With over 30 years of experience and engagement, Everything Channel has the unmatched channel expertise to execute integrated solutions for technology executives managing partner recruitment, enablement and go-to-market strategy in order to accelerate technology sales. Everything Channel is a UBM company. To learn more about Everything Channel, visit us at http://www.everythingchannel.com.
Meaningful to who?
Posted September 6th, 2010 by David // in Healthcare // No Comments
Someone had a heatstroke? Obviously, no time wasted with poor EMT service because the side of the rescue squad reads “ISO 9000 Certified”. Medics respond and its time to watch the certified process make a guaranteed quality rescue! Out comes the ISO 9000 manual and here comes certified quality! Stretcher pulled out, patient attached, stretcher turned upside down, patient and stretcher deposited upside-down in the vehicle and off they go to the ER. Here is ISO certified process followed by quality patient care…right? NO! Why not? Achieving ISO 9000 and simply documenting existing processes with no improvement is a complete waste of effort. In the medical profession, this begs the questions “What is meaningful use and who is it meaningful to?”
Meaningful use has monetary incentives attached but what is the real value? Is the value the income for the PM/EMR vendors, the economic incentive to the practice or improved care for the patient? In reality, the answer is “all of the above”, but the best answer is improved care for the patient. In any service industry, including healthcare, putting anyone except the customer first will be a long-term detriment to the organization. To keep focused on the long-term goals, questions to consider are:
- Is the practice management application being efficiently utilized prior to meaningful use?
- Is the EMR application being efficiently utilized prior to meaningful use?
- Is the primary goal for the benefit of the patient, the benefit of the practice or other reasons?
- Is the criteria for and the process of attaining meaningful use being viewed as:
- The ceiling or the floor for all future PM/EMR efficiencies?
- An opportunity for financial gain of for implementing change, improvement and efficiencies for the practice?
If meaningful use is being followed solely with the practice in mind, it would seem that patient care runs the risk of suffering. However, if it is being pursued solely with the patient in mind, it would seem that the practice profitability runs the risk of suffering. Like everything in life, the answer is a proper balance of more than one goal. A practice is in the business of healing and profitability. Focusing primarily (not solely) on the patient and secondarily (not solely) on the practice should allow both to derive optimal benefit from meaningful use.
When all is said and done, is the end result meaningful abuse, meaningful misuse, meaningless use or is it actually meaningful use and meaningful to whom? Will ongoing internal practice and technological improvements stop when the third-party economic incentives are discontinued? The answer to these questions will have a big influence on the opinion, implementation, impact and beneficiaries of meaningful use.
Attorney General Cordray warns us of new H1N1 scam
Posted December 4th, 2009 by Wes // in Agil IT News, Business, Healthcare, Technical // No Comments
Today I received this press release from the Ohio Attorney General’s office regarding a new computer virus scam. I checked this one out and it’s legitimate so I thought we should let the tribe members know about it. If you have questions feel free to contact me at aemswiler@agilit.com.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Posing as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), scammers have found a new angle in the effort to exploit fears driven by the spread of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, sometimes called “swine flu.” Attorney General Richard Cordray today urges Ohioans to beware of an email which carries a computer virus that may infect your computer and provide a stranger with access to your personal information.
The bogus email announces the launch of a “state vaccination H1N1 program” and encourages the user to create a personal vaccination profile. It provides a link to a Web page that looks similar to the CDC site. Within the page are downloadable instructions for creating your personal vaccination profile.
Cordray warns that by downloading the instructions, visitors are downloading a virus onto their computers.
“Any time you receive an email from someone you are not familiar wth, I strongly recommend avoiding the provided links,” said Cordray. “clicking on that link can unleash downloadable viruses capable of capturing your personal information and sending it back to the scam artist.”
Because of these potential phishing attacks and email scams, Cordray encourages consumers who are interested in H1N1 influenza virus information to visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services informational web site at www.flu.gov or the Ohio Department of Health informational site, www.flu.ohio.gov. Cordray also offers the following tips to help Ohioans avoid phishing scams:
- Contact the institution yourself: Don’t respond to unsolicited requests for your personal information. Instead, contact the organization at a phone number or a web address you know to be correct.
- Don’t click on links in emails: Be cautious about opening any attachments or downloading any files from email messages. Links and attachments can make your computer vulnerable to viruses.
- Look for warning signs: Misspelled words or a lack of personal greetings may signal fraud. However, the presence of a personal greeting or a lack of errors does not guarantee legitimacy. Always be skeptical.
- Use spam filters, anti-virus software, anti-spyware software and a firewall: Update your security software regularly. The software can help stop your computer from accepting unwanted files that can be sent via phishing emails.
- Don’t give out personal information via email: Email is not a secure method of transmitting personal information. A bank or governmental agency will never request personal information via email.
- Monitor your accounts: Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them. If you find unauthorized charges, immediately notify your bank or credit card provider.
- Report phishing scams to the company or organization the scam artist is impersonating and to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
Report this phishing scam or any other scam to the Attorney General’s Office atwww.SpeakOutOhio.gov or by calling (800) 282-0515.
Oak Creek OB/GYN, Inc. Chooses Agil IT for its Managed IT Services Needs
Posted October 7th, 2009 by Wes // in Agil IT News, Healthcare // No Comments
ProPoint Support increases information accessibility and improves efficiency
(Troy, OH – October 2009) Agil IT, a leader in healthcare information technology services, is pleased to partner with Oak Creek, OB/GYN, Inc., located in Dayton, Ohio. Agil IT will implement it’s ProPoint Support services at all three Oak Creek locations. With ProPoint’s management capabilities, Oak Creek will be ensured of fully manged support of all its voice, print, data and computing needs. Oak Creek will leverage Agil IT’s ten years of experience in the healthcare marketplace to manage their IT needs. Boasting 24/7 remote managed services and resolution capabilities; Agil IT’s Propoint solution will ensure uninterrupted availability and performance of Oak Creek’s patient care business support systems.
“Our focus is on patient care. When babies are being delivered at all hours of the day requiring access to our patient records on a 24 hour basis, uptime is critical. The team at Agil IT understands this and ProPoint Support helps guarantee it,” said Jayne Testa, Oak Creek’s Practice Administrator. “There’s no better peace of mind than knowing that our systems are constantly monitored by a company that can pro-actively address our needs quickly and efficiently.”
Agil IT offers a comprehensive range of remote computer and network support services that are priced to appeal to ambulatory healthcare organizations, like Oak Creek OB/GYN, Inc. Agil IT’s robust multi-platform services provide availability and performance reporting solutions built specifically for their customers.
“Agil IT has earned its reputation for providing efficient, reliable and cost-effective IT services for practices like Oak Creek,” said Wesley Gipe, Agil IT President. “Oak Creek is one of the most respected healthcare groups in the area and we’re pleased to be a part of that legacy.”
About Oak Creek OB/GYN, Inc.
Oak Creek OB/GYN, Inc. is committed to the practice of providing caring, compassionate, expert care to women of all ages. Their group of six, Board Certified Obstetrician Gynecologists, specialize in obstetrics (both regular and high risk) as well as gynecology services for every phase of their patients life such as menopausal care and family planning. Oak Creek also focuses on education and preventative medicine to help patients live a healthy lifestyle. They have offices located in Centerville, Beavercreek and Springboro, Ohio. Each office offers a variety of ancillary services on-site including in-office minor surgery, bone density scans (DEXA), 3D/4D ultrasound, Urodynamic Testing for incontinence and cosmetic laser treatment for skin and permanent hair reduction. For more information contact Oak Creek OB/GYN, Inc. at (937) 848-4850.
About Agil IT
Agil IT is an information technology provider who designs, builds, maintains and secures computer and voice networks for healthcare. Agil IT prides itself on offering personal attention and service with expert advice focused on their client’s goals and objectives with customer service second to none. Agil IT’s ProPoint Support includes a mix of customized services that help healthcare practices meet their business objectives. For an on-site ProPoint Support demonstration, contact Agil IT at (937) 440-9199 or emailinfo@agilit.com.
Interruptive Marketing
Posted August 17th, 2009 by Wes // in Agil IT News, Business, Marketing, Random Thoughts // 2 Comments
"Step right this way, Sir..." Yep. I was the lucky one. Should have played that one last game of blackjack. Sure enough, I was the lucky one chosen at the Vegas airport to be the proud recipient of a TSA "exhaustive search". Why?!? Seriously? "What made you pick me?", I inquired, placing the business cards back into my pocket from the x-ray tub. "Those ... uh... THINGS! ... in your pocket. Are those magnets!?!", he asked, as if magnets were the next thing to a bottle of shampoo on the FAA "stuff that could be really deadly and dangerous on a plane" list. "No Sir, those are my business cards." Business cards?", he asked unbelievably. "Yes Sir.", I replied. "Whose stupid idea was it to print round business cards?", he asked smugly looking down his long nose at the blasphemous round objects. "Mine Sir.", I answered, wondering if he expected me to evaluate his mental capacity aloud in return. "Next time, keep those things in your briefcase. Anything that makes you stand out in an airport is not a good idea." "Yes Sir.", I said, channeling every ounce of self control within me to refrain from rolling on the floor laughing.
If you haven't already seen them our business cards are just like our approach to managing IT for our clients. Different. Other than conventional. Provocative. They're round. And, because we think too much pomp and circumstance goes into a title, we've made up our own creative titles - different, other than conventional, provocative titles. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. I've received calls from clients telling me how much they like them - and even that they aspire to "collect them all".
I've been preaching to our tribe, through this economic downturn, about interruptive contact. Every contact we have with our customers, partners and distributors - whether it be a phone call, email, personal visit, or thank-you card sent by snail mail - must be interruptive. Interruptive - so much that it gives the recipient pause and makes them think "wow - these folks are different!".
I am continually turned off by bland, safe, industry standard "me too" marketing. That's why we've chosen to market in ways that are interruptive. Interruptive in ways that scream out loud that we are real people with real personalities and real creative ability. Yes, it's perhaps risky in some ways, but it's different. And different is good. Even if it makes some folks uncomfortable. Especially the TSA guy in the Vegas airport. I left him my card. Twenty bucks says he shows it to his wife tonight when he gets home as he tells her the story.
