By Jackie
CNN recently profiled a geriatric specialist out of Washington Hospital Center who co-founded the hospital’s first “Medical House Call Program.” Dr. Eric DeJonge spends his days in his car, traveling to more than 600 Washington-area elderly patients who cannot physically get to a hospital. Typically, he checks in on them once a month, providing one-on-one care to ensure medication compliance and really, just to let them know he’s there for them. 2009 meet 1930 – of course, with the addition of the Blackberry and advanced portable medical technology like the EKG and ultrasound.
According to a recent article in the Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, home visits by physicians dropped from 40% in 1930 to less than 1% in 1980. Patients began to prefer trips to the hospital where they could gain access to state-of-the-art technology and a range of medical experts. And of course, over the years, paperwork and billing became so arduous and time-consuming for physicians that the amount of time they had available to visit with patients in their home significantly decreased. Add to that the lack of financial incentive from insurance companies, and poof! The house call became a distant memory referenced only occasionally by our grandparents in a “remember when…” kind of way.
But with the baby boomers “booming” into senior life, Dr. DeJonge may be on to something. And it seems Medicare agrees – this month a new “Independence at Home” bill will be reintroduced, making it easier and more cost-effective for physicians to perform house calls. With a renewed commitment to “the patient,” this is a big step forward for our country’s healthcare system. Perhaps we can file this under Health 3.0?
May 27th, 2009
By Jackie
In an effort to further “technologize” the historically resistant healthcare industry, Medicare recently announced a new incentive for physicians who “e-prescribe.” Beginning in January 2009, Medicare will reward any physician who chooses to scrap his/her traditional prescription pads and take paperless action. Physicians who jump on board in January will receive a two percent reimbursement bonus, which drops to one percent in 2011 and half a percent in 2013. The electronic alternative is expected to bring increased patient safety, decreased medical costs and greater efficiency, and don’t forget, shorter waits at the pharmacy.
Although the U.S. healthcare industry has regularly welcomed the latest innovations in devices and treatments, the industry as a whole has given significantly-less attention to advances in healthcare information technology, designed specifically to improve the way upon which healthcare is delivered. A strong percentage of physicians have resisted the upfront costs associated with these technology systems, and until now, haven’t had much reason, or incentive, to do otherwise. But with President-elect Barack Obama’s marked push for greater healthcare IT adoption, this initiative is only the beginning. With lofty plans to computerize all types of medical records, Obama believes that IT innovation will play a critical role in reviving our ailing healthcare system, saving the system millions of dollars in wasted care.
The implementation of these innovative healthcare IT systems requires more than just a physical change in a physician’s daily activity – it warrants a cultural shift amongst physicians and their staff. We’re asking physicians to step out of the paper age and embrace a very new concept that for many, is uncharted territory. But the end result serves as the most rewarding part of this whole change. Healthcare information technologies have the potential to significantly improve today’s medical care. I’d file this most recent initiative under: One small step for physicians, one giant leap for patients.
December 18th, 2008
