Geoff Lawson

CMMC is here to stay for government contractors, and there’s no time to waste. The quicker you start or verify your journey, the greater the benefit to your company. #GovernmentContractors #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth

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AI’s Impact on CDI A recent ACDIS Survey of ACDIS members gauging impact of AI on CDI processes and the CDI profession revealed some interesting points and sentiments towards AI. The most common impacts from the implementation of CDI technology are increases in remote work and in productivity (cited by 67% each), followed by identifying “low-hanging fruit” queries (65%) and improving documentation issues with high-volume DRG groups (54%). Additional responses appear in Table 4 below. Remote work is not conducive to effectively providing sustainable measurable physician documentation educational training. One-on-One training or small group training is most effective in ultimately changing overall physician behavioral patterns of documentation. Often, the best form of training is small bit size nuggets provided in a quick conversation specific to a case on the floor. Productivity is not a valid and reliable measure of CDI performance. The mere fact that the CDIS reviewed a record does not necessarily equate to achieved improvement/integrity of the record. Identifying low hanging fruit diagnoses through queries implies CDI has room for improvement in physician documentation education through reinforcement that improves physician's muscle memory of better documentation practices. Electronic querying serves to mechanize the query process and is no substitute for physician documentation training and knowledge sharing. Physicians do not want more queries, they prefer to document right the first time versus more repetitive transactional reactive queries. AI definitely can assist and serve as an effective tool in CDI activity. However, it must be considered as a tool and not a crutch. There simply is no substitute for good old fashioned CDI boots on the ground, helping physicians achieve clinical documentation excellence through documentation training with reinforcement and guidance. AI is the panacea for improving documentation. #AI, #documentationimprovment, #notapanacea

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It seems there was an issue with translation of one of the links I posted for the ED positions. Please see the link below for the ED position in COWA. https://lnkd.in/dzbk4kKE

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Epic Systems’ recent move to back the TEFCA medical records exchange is interesting. On the surface, it’s all about creating a seamless flow of patient data across hospitals, QHINs, and all relevant stakeholders. But let’s be real—data is the oil of the new economy, and interoperability is the pipeline that delivers this precious resource to all the right stakeholders. By aligning with TEFCA, Epic might just be positioning itself as the refinery. All in all, this is a welcoming move by Epic Systems—especially if it really is as straightforward as they make it sound. But given the lack of details, one has to wonder if there are any hidden catches. After all, when it comes to something as valuable as healthcare data, it’s wise to look out for the fine print. Let’s hope this is genuinely about improving patient care. https://lnkd.in/gDdDCcmj

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HHS has released its final rule on disincentives for information blocking. This includes considerations for each of hospital/CAH providers under the Promoting Interoperability Program, individual providers through MIPS, and for ACOs under the Medicare Shared Savings program. From the following press release, “This final rule is designed to ensure we always have access to our own health information and that our care teams have the benefit of this information to guide their decisions." #hhs #interoperability #informationblocking #ONC https://lnkd.in/gNQm69CC

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Today was the Major IT Event Command Tabletop Exercise focused on ambulatory. And yes, I took notes on a paper plate. ✏️ At the University of Maryland Medical System, we do three all-day drills each year focused on various cyber preparedness scenarios. They're always facilitated by an external partner, so we continue to benefit from new perspectives, real-time feedback, and a written report. Today's session was about ambulatory. In a health system, most cyber incidents quickly end up with the inpatient world as ground zero. But for most health systems, there are typically far more outpatient visits than hospitalized patients. These facilities have high-acuity / high-impact things happening there, too (chemotherapy, dialysis, infusion, methadone, etc), and there are just as many supply ordering considerations and safety considerations as in our inpatient areas (e.g., do your security systems work?). It was a great conversation, and we look forward to the debriefings!

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⛑️ Transforming Disaster Preparedness: Tech Responses When Natural Disaster HIt 🥽 As an IT leader and professional in the senior care industry, I've learned that disaster preparedness is far more than a technical checklist; it's a holistic approach to organizational resilience. Natural disasters are an ever present reality, are increasing in frequency and their impact on senior care communities can be profound. This insightful article from LeadingAge CAST VP Scott Code, MBA shares the experiences of two LPC's and their technology challenges during two extremely destructive natural disasters.    Myself with Givens Communities and Joe Velderman with Cypress Cove share our experiences with Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Ian through this article as a catalyst to start the conversation of transforming disaster response strategies in our industry and ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and team members in times of crisis. At Givens Communities , we understand that preparedness is not just about having the right tools; it's about fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation across our industry. From real-time communication platforms to predictive analytics and resilient IT infrastructures, the potential of technology to safeguard our communities is immense. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 Joe Velderman “In response to the increasing frequency of catastrophic events that were historically considered centennial or millennial in nature, we’ll continue to refine our disaster preparedness approach by listening to residents, team members, and collaborating with others in our industry to use innovation and flexible technologies to effectively mitigate and respond to emerging environmental challenges.” Richard Foor "A community's resilience is measured not by how it plans for the best days, but by how it prepares for the worst." Joe Velderman 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞: ·        Develop communication "kits" with non-technical restoration instructions ·        Preposition failover connectivity tools: fiber, cellular, satellite options ·        Create flexible IT infrastructure that can operate with minimal technical intervention ·        Create split technical response teams ·        Develop robust social media communication strategies ·        Provide emergency charging stations for critical resident devices ·        Vendor Support Matters: Leverage partnerships with tech providers. #DisasterPreparedness #SeniorCareTechnology #ITResilience #LeadingAge #leadingAgeCast #CCRC #LPC 💥 How is your organization preparing its technological infrastructure for potential disruptions? ❓ https://lnkd.in/eeN3qWya

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🔔 CMS's recent push for electronic prior authorization is transforming the payer landscape. This Cognizant article outlines critical steps payers can take to get ahead of these changes. As someone on the front lines of helping healthcare organizations navigate regulatory mandates, here’s what I’m seeing: ▪️Biggest Shift: Automation and interoperability are now essential to meet compliance and streamline operations. ▪️Key Challenge: Limited resources and tight timelines make it difficult to balance compliance and operational priorities. Readiness Tip: ➡️ Conduct a gap analysis of your current prior authorization processes: ➡️ Identify manual workflows that could be automated. ➡️ Assess whether your data-sharing capabilities meet CMS interoperability standards. ➡️ Early action here can reduce administrative burdens and improve decision-making speed. Let’s discuss—how is your organization preparing for these changes? #CMSCompliance #HealthcareInnovation #Interoperability

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The White House has teamed up with Microsoft and Google to offer low-cost or no-cost cybersecurity for rural healthcare facilities. Cybersecurity is an important concern in healthcare. Recently, the industry has been faced with rising risks and challenges and has been innovating to meet them. This is important because protecting data is about more than legal compliance, it also ensures patients’ safety and privacy. It’s an area of healthcare that requires significant resources to support, and programs like these are bringing top-of-the-line protections to every patient across America. #cybersecurity #RuralHealthcare #healthcare

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This article is an important read for nurse practitioners. It underscores the importance of having comprehensive liability insurance to safeguard careers and ensure peace of mind while providing care.

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Providers and health plans have been working on their Fee for Service payment processes for decades (still work to be done there), but the data flows needed to support Value Based Care arrangements are in their infancy. Organizations involved in Value Based Care (VBC) should consider using modern processes (like APIs) and standards (like HL7 FHIR) to exchange: · Rosters of members attributed to VBC populations · Financial performance on VBC contracts · VBC contract details · Patient care gaps for VBC contracts · Clinical quality performance · And the list goes on In his interview with Rick Daly from HMFA, Deepak Sadagopan talks about why his team is building the data infrastructure to support VBC and why it should matter to you. https://lnkd.in/ggKeA985

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Strategic planning overcomes hurdles in the future by considering variable scenarios to eliminate the "we can't get there from here". #impactful #StrategicPlanning #BusinessResilience

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Originally created as a safety-net program, #340B was designed to help patients. Unfortunately, large 340B hospitals and vertically integrated entities are using the program to increase profits, driving costs up for patients and employers in the process. There is a large volume of evidence that the program is not meeting its intended purpose. For example, the average cost per prescription for commercially insured patients receiving a physician administered medicine is 150% higher at 340B hospitals than at non-340B hospitals. I recently met with Rebecca Willumson of Fierce Pharma to outline reforms needed to ensure that discounts manufacturers provide through the 340B program reach patients. Congress must act to get the 340B program back on track. https://lnkd.in/eRym8wDA

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Scott Code, MBA great article below for opening the conversation. Thank you and #leadingage for being a leader, catalyst, and advocate for AI in senior living and health care. Are you catching the buzz surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) in aging services? LeadingAge’s Scott Code, vice president of the Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST), has authored an article on that topic, published April 17 in HealthTech: “Embracing Generative AI and Large Language Models in Senior Care.” #SeniorCareAI #AgeInnovation #SmartSeniorCare #AIHealthcare #SeniorLivingTech #DigitalHealth #SeniorWellbeingAI

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Strategy & Process Development are creative endeavors. It’s a dare to imagine what might be possible. It’s an extension beyond our selves to see from the perspectives of others. It’s telling the story with data and code that moves the mission forward. It’s a catalyst for business development and sustainability. Strategy & Process Development amplify the beautiful work already being done by so many and make the whole greater than the sum of its parts. We’re looking for team members who are willing to dive in and help us cultivate the ins and outs of some really impactful initiatives; from innovations in training to advances in usability.

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For all of the people in my life that wonder what our profession does, here is a short vid to summarize.

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It's been 8 months since CMS announced its final rule on prior authorization (PA) and interoperability. As we come closer the implementation deadlines, it's crucial to assess our readiness and understand the broader implications. The CMS rule on PA requires some key things: 1️⃣ Faster PA decisions (72 hours urgent, 7 days standard) start in 2026 2️⃣ FHIR-based Prior Authorization API implementation 3️⃣ Expanded Patient Access API and new Provider Access API from 2027 4️⃣ Affects Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, CHIP, and certain QHP issuers 🔗 The FHIR APIs Required by 2027: Enhanced Patient Access API: Now includes prior authorization data Provider Access API: Allows providers to access patient data from payers Payer-to-Payer API: Facilitates data exchange when patients switch payers Prior Authorization API: Streamlines the prior auth process 🔍 What's Missing? 1️⃣ FHIR Standard Adoption: Payers must use FHIR standard queries, but EHR changes aren't mandated. 2️⃣ EHR Integration Gap: The rule doesn't require direct EHR interrogation for PA requests, which could have eliminated most administrative friction. 3️⃣ Digital Endpoint Challenge: Payers need to discover digital endpoints for each entity, but there's no centralized database yet. 4️⃣ Medication-related PA inclusion 5️⃣ Other revenue cycle FHIR standards: While the rule addresses PA, it doesn't tackle the myriad other reasons for claim denials (e.g., coding errors, eligibility issues, medical necessity disputes). 🔍 Where are we now? - Many organizations are in the planning or early implementation stages - CMS is exploring a National Directory of Healthcare Providers and Services, potentially including payer endpoints. (https://lnkd.in/ghf28bDF) - Prior Authorization support has been built in to some of the most common implementation guides for FHIR (https://lnkd.in/gKP4Qdzn) 🤔 Critical questions at this stage: 1. How far along is your organization in preparing for these changes? 2. What unexpected challenges have you encountered in the implementation process? 3. How are you balancing these PA improvements with other revenue cycle optimization efforts? Let's share experiences and best practices. What insights can you offer to peers navigating this transition? #HealthcareIT #PriorAuthorization #Interoperability #RCM #RevenueCycle #CMS https://lnkd.in/gHB_i9Gu https://lnkd.in/gjegKF4g

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Today I want to talk about "Little Build, BIG Wins". So often we focus on the complex and sexy projects and implementations and overlook the small enhancements that when deployed, have the power to impact not only our end-users and patients, but as demonstrated in the example below, our entire Commonwealth of Virginia! Improving Immunization Record Accuracy for Newborns in Virginia 💉 At Sentara Health, we're always looking for ways to enhance healthcare processes and improve outcomes for the communities we serve. Recently, we identified a challenge that because, as standard practice, newborns are assigned generic names (e.g., "Girl Mom’s Name") in their health record, it creates an issue with matching vaccination data to the state’s immunization registry—especially for Hepatitis B vaccines. Here’s how we solved it: We introduced a new system that holds Hep B vaccine records for 30 days to ensure that the baby’s legal name is added to the chart before sending it to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). A filter was put in place to block any vaccine records with incomplete names, and failed records are automatically retried once the legal name is updated. This change, implemented on May 14, 2024, has already had a significant impact—by September 30, 2024, over 4,600 vaccinations have been sent to VDH with the correct information, helping to streamline immunization tracking and reduce manual reconciliation. What this means for the community: ✅ VDH can now build accurate, comprehensive immunization records for each child. ✅ This solution reduces errors and manual effort, leading to more efficient vaccine tracking. ✅ Healthcare providers benefit from better data integrity, improving care for our youngest patients. We're proud to be part of the solution and are excited that VDH has shared this improvement with health systems across Virginia. Together, we’re helping create a stronger, more connected healthcare ecosystem for all. Thank you to Anissa Jones, Audra Wilkins and teams for taking on this "Sentara" issue, and finding a way to help our entire state improve health every day!! Sarah Richardson Dawn Whitney Rebecca Woods, MHA, SHIMSS, PM Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Virginia Department of Health Sentara Health Plans Joseph Evans, MD, FACP Amy Rosa Tim Skeen Bluebird Leaders This Week Health #HealthTech #Immunization #PublicHealth #Innovation #HealthcareSolutions #PatientCare #Virginia

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The government is taking steps to bolster healthcare cybersecurity with a new bill. It can't come soon enough. Check out the details here: https://lnkd.in/g5eTPNVD #Cybersecurity #Healthcare #GovernmentAction

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