Tools and Systems developed to improve transitions of care

Editor’s Note: Three stories this week illustrate how better systems are being developed to improve transitions of care and communication between patients and the healthcare team. The first story reports on a study that found most patients give inaccurate drug names to doctors, which can lead to deficiencies in care, harmful drug interactions and the under-treatment of chronic illness. Click here to read more.

The second story announces that Microsoft has launched a personal health record site. The IT giant will have the capital expertise to provide a common platform from which health IT can move forward. Click here to read more.

Last, an important press release came out last week from National Transitions of Care Coalition (NTOCC) that detailed the tools the Coalition will be releasing over the next few weeks that diverse parties in the healthcare community can utilize to ensure safe transitions of care. Click here for more.

eHealth releases blueprint for future of health IT

The eHealth Initiative today released a multi-stakeholder consensus document promoting “a set of principles, strategies and actions for improving health and healthcare through information and information technology.” Click here to read more.

Ingenix conducts study on coding accuracy and completeness

A report of the top 200 hospitals in the United States, according to the accuracy and completeness of their Medicare reimbursement coding, ranks hospitals in Vermont, California, and Chicago at the top of the list. Click here for the report.

Editor’s Note: Coding rules are changing at a rapid pace. Keeping up to date on these rules is essential. In many areas, case managers help to ensure accurate coding, so this report is an important read.

How baby boomers can save health care

Molly Mettler, MSW, Healthwise Senior Vice President, and Donald W. Kemper, MPH, Healthwise Chairman and CEO, have written an interesting paper that explains how baby boomers will dramatically affect the health care crisis. For better or worse, it depends on whether they are equipped with the tools and information to gain health. To read the paper, click here.

Editor’s Note:As you saw from the Case in Point Salary and Trends Survey, the majority of case manages are baby boomers. Take a few minutes to read this paper and see if you agree with their conclusions.