Fawwaz Haq, MD, MBA

🔍 The Epic EHR Wonderland: A Tale of High Hopes and Lingering Dissatisfaction Since the rollout of Epic EHR, funded by the HITECH Act of 2009, healthcare providers have faced mixed experiences. A 2022 study from Finland and Denmark revealed that 32% of users were dissatisfied with Epic, citing poor usability despite improved technical performance. Strikingly, only a small fraction of physicians (4.7%) and nurses (7.3%) found accessing patient information easy, with even fewer agreeing that it improved patient care. Meanwhile, a 2019 US study showed that while modern EHRs enhanced certain process measures, they made no significant impact on patient outcomes. Worse, the emotional toll on healthcare workers is substantial. A 2020 study found that physicians working after hours on EHR tasks were 4.8 to 12.5 times more likely to experience emotional exhaustion. As we continue to navigate the balance between technology and care, it’s critical to re-examine whether systems like Epic are truly serving healthcare providers and patients. #HealthcareIT #EpicEHR #PhysicianBurnout #HealthcareInnovation #DigitalHealth

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Key Strategic Insights = A Successful OP CDI Program The challenge of value-based care starts with a collaborative approach, when launching an Outpatient Clinical Documentation Integrity (OP CDI) program. Here are some key strategic insights to success: 1. Engage with Population Health Understand Pain Points: Begin by understanding the specific challenges faced. This fosters collaboration. Tailored Questions: Use customized questions to facilitate productive discussions and ensure alignment with needs. 2. Effective Software Implementation Manage Patient (Pt.) Volumes: Implement software solutions to efficiently handle pt. volumes. OP CDI Calculator: Utilize a calculator to determine Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) needs. Data Analytics and Reporting: Emphasize the importance of continuous improvement via data analytics. 3. Workflow Creation Establish Robust Workflows: Create strong workflows before integrating reviewers. 4. Collaboration & Communication Promote Strong Collaboration: Encourage robust communication between key stakeholders. Leverage Software: Use technology to reduce physician burnout & streamline communication. 5. Patient-Centered Approach Address social determinants of health (SDOH) & ensure accurate documentation of conditions and care plans. Patient Outcomes: Keep patient care at the center of all doc. & workflow processes. 6. Regulatory Compliance Adhere to Guidelines: Follow regulatory requirements such as CMS guidelines on Hierarchical Condition Categories (HCC) coding to avoid penalties and enhance credibility. 7. Measurable Outcomes Set Clear Goals: Aim for measurable outcomes like improved HCC recapture rates, enhanced RAF scores, better HEDIS measures, and addressing SDOH needs. 8. Stakeholder Engagement Involve All Stakeholders: Ensure that executives, clinicians, and other relevant parties are involved in planning and implementation process. Success Stories Recently, I helped several CDI directors validate their cases for OP CDI programs within Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). By engaging with population health leadership, we identified key issues such as RAF gaps and HEDIS measures, and tailored processes to address them. For instance, a CDI director I guided successfully identified HCC and HEDIS recapture as their biggest pain points. With strategic solutions in place, they are now ready to implement the project for the 2025 budget yr., aiming to improve their HCC recapture rate by 20%, leveraging data analytics for outcomes and improvement needs. Benefits of Implementing These Strategies Align Risk Stratification: Properly align risk stratification with chronic conditions and healthcare needs. Quality Measures: Improve quality measures and address SDOH. Collaborative Team: Ensure success with a collaborative team supported by technology. Overall, these strategic actions will enhance patient care and operational efficiency. #Healthcare #Leadership #CDI #PatientCare #ValueBasedCare #HealthcareInnovation

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How can we partner with patients and leverage digital innovations? Why should life-science, provider, and payer organizations invest in patient partnerships? The featured Deloitte Digital report "Transforming the Patient Experience" focuses on the evolution of patient-centric approaches in the life sciences and healthcare sectors. The report discusses the importance of integrating patient feedback in the development of medical treatments and technologies, the role of digital innovations in enhancing patient engagement. The report emphasizes the need for a comprehensive partnership between patients and healthcare providers to improve health outcomes. It also highlights various case studies and strategies for creating a more patient-centered healthcare system. Highlights: PATIENT-CENTRIC INNOVATIONS: 💙 Digital technologies and telemedicine became widely adopted, allowing for more patient engagement and data-driven insights. CO-CREATION WITH PATIENTS: 💙Patient-centricity involves patients as equal partners in decision-making processes. 💙Co-creation with patients should span from the initial brainstorming to product launch, integrating their feedback continuously. INTEGRATING ENGAGEMENT: 💙Full partnership with patients includes understanding their preferences, skills, and needs. 💙Effective engagement requires early involvement and adequate compensation for patients' time and input. DIGITAL SOLUTIONS: 💙Digital health technologies empower patients to monitor and manage their health, improving medication management and access to therapies. 💙AI and advanced analytics provide personalized patient experiences, improving engagement and outcomes. HOLISTIC PATIENT SERVICES: 💙Life sciences companies are moving towards in-house patient services, focusing on a comprehensive approach that includes financial, clinical, engagement, education, and therapy access. 💙Partnerships within the ecosystem are essential for creating unified patient experiences. Share your research and perspectives with Journal of Patient Experience Special Collection on Technology and Digital Innovations in Patient Experience https://lnkd.in/gZJKXy8V Attend Patient Experience Symposium Boston September 16-18, 2024 https://lnkd.in/eNKSpJ8G The Symposium features expert speakers and research on Patient Experience, Engagement, and opportunities to leverage technology. #DigitalHealth #PatientCentered #PatientExperience #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #PatientEngagement #PatientReportedOutcomes Deloitte article https://lnkd.in/eHS6gWq6 Phil Ripperger

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The 'payvider' becoming a healthcare delivery niche player. It appears all outpatient...infusion, pharma, home health, urgent care, etc. Seeing more signs of consumers being directed by payers. No real, big box hospital purchases. Are beds being isolated and commoditized? #hospitals #healthcare #business #payers

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Healthcare AI holds great promise, but promises do not pay the bills. In Bain and McKinsey surveys, American healthcare leaders reported expecting - even requiring - a positive return on their AI investments. However, demonstrating ROI is challenging and will remain a significant barrier to adoption for the foreseeable future. #healthcare #AI #ROI #health #tech

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AI chatbots are more empathetic than human providers. "ChatGPT was able to do so with more empathy, primarily by usually telling the patient the bot is sorry the patient feels unwell. ChatGPT was 9.8 times more likely to convey empathy or high empathy in its responses, with 45.1 percent of its responses getting this distinction. That compares to just 4.6 percent of physician responses that were empathetic or highly empathetic." Simple phrases and adjustments to word selection can have a big impact on patient communication. I am often brief in my email and text communication. I often have to re-read and reflect on how the tone will be perceived. Clinicians are often stressed for time as the admin burden mounts. It's easier to quickly write a direct message than pause to consider the tone and how a message will be received, especially considering health literacy gaps. This article has me considering how AI Chatbots can help and how providers can adjust their communication. https://lnkd.in/euGvAdGN

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