The coming extreme virtualization of care
March 30, 2020 Last week, the U.S. earned itself the questionable distinction of leading the world in confirmed Coronavirus cases. While we’re nowhere near the end of the current pandemic crisis, some trends are clearly emerging to define the “new normal” in healthcare. In my latest blog in CIO online, I discuss how Covid-19 is […]
Coronavirus conversations
March 23, 2020 Starting this week, I am doing a series of podcast interviews with healthcare IT leaders who are now in the spotlight as key enablers of an effective response to the coronavirus pandemic. I hope our readers and listeners find the information useful. My first guest is John Kravitz, CIO of Geisinger Health […]
Extreme social distancing
March 16, 2020 For the coming weeks, this newsletter will focus on curating articles from credible sources that provide useful information on the coronavirus crisis. We will continue to highlight the role of technology in responding to the crisis. We will also include pieces that will guide us in adjusting to the life of social […]
What Hath God Wrought?
March 09, 2020 I borrow the subject line this week from the first ever telegraph message by Samuel F.B. Morse in 1843. Now, as then, the line is a metaphor for the ages as we focus this week’s newsletter on Coronavirus/Covid-19 and the role of technology in coping with the fallout. In what must have […]
No handshakes, please. Namaste.
March 02, 2020 As I write this, HIMSS2020 is set to proceed as scheduled, with additional precautions to prevent any possible risk of infection with the Coronavirus to the fifty thousand or so attendees. HIMSS has officially designated the event handshake-free. Read their complete update here. In my latest podcast episode, Angela Yochem, EVP, Chief […]
Primary care is the primary battleground in healthcare.
February 24, 2020 Call it Prime-ary care. Amazon has launched a virtual care service for all its Seattle-based employees. The service includes text, video, and in-person care. And a “care courier” to deliver meds at home. One can assume free, same-day shipping. The battleground for healthcare is in the frontlines of care – namely primary […]
Google in health, privacy, and the patient as consumer.
February 17, 2020 Happy President’s Day to our readers in the U.S. In my latest podcast, Paul Black, CEO of Allscripts shares his thoughts on what it means to treat patients like consumers, the ongoing debate around patient data access and the proposed HHS ruling, and how Allscripts is embracing new technologies like cloud and voice […]
Why interoperability is cool again
February 10, 2020 All the attention for digital transformation initiatives in healthcare seem to be focused on digital front doors, AI, and the emerging tech that transforms patient experiences. The technology enablers for creating these engaging experiences deserve mention too. In my recent article in Healthcare IT News, I discuss how the API-led transformation of […]
Data privacy in the spotlight
February 03, 2020 This past week, we saw a continued standoff between Epic and practically everyone else over opposition to implementing the proposed HHS rules around allowing access to patient data. Epic threatened to sue to block the rules, citing patient privacy concerns, prompting HHS Secretary Alex Azar to denounce “scare tactics.” Two Harvard professors involved […]
The coming disruption of the established order
January 27, 2020 Big tech firms, EHR firms, and the HHS are on a collision course over access rights to patient data. Facing disruption over its exclusive access to patient data, it emerged that EHR vendor Epic had been sending out mailers to hospital CEOs to push back against the proposed HHS rules that aimed […]
