Tag: observation-care
Patients to the Healthcare System: “Change is for the Other Guy, Not Me”
August 31st, 2012by: Dr. Angelo Falcone
I wrote a while back about the need for a social contract in healthcare. The essence of that contract is that I have a right to receive timely, quality and appropriate care. In return for that care, I need to take responsibility for my health and lifestyle as well as appropriately use healthcare resources. I […]
read articlePosted in Future of Healthcare
Job #1 for New ER Docs: After Being a Good Clinician, Find Your Emergency Medicine Niche
August 28th, 2012by: Dr. Neil Roy
As I left residency a mere two months ago, my program director imparted a couple principles to his departing residency class: Be the strongest clinician you can be, don’t stop learning, and spend the first year just providing good care. After that, find a “niche” in Emergency Medicine. The first point is without a doubt […]
read articlePosted in For Residents, Life in the ER
Thoughts on Choosing Wisely and Overuse
August 2nd, 2012by: Dr. Vipul Kella
About five months ago nine physician specialty groups got together and decided to examine specific tests and procedures that are commonly used but not necessary in their respective fields. They named their organization “Choosing Wisely”, and compiled a list of over 45 specific recommendations on practices that should be curtailed. Examples included “lumbar series in […]
read articlePosted in Quality Efficiency Utilization
Observation Medicine Playing Bigger Role in the ER
April 20th, 2012by: Dr. Rob Flint
Traditional observation units often focus on chest pain and a few other diagnosis. But as the health care market continues to change, so has the need to decrease length of stay, decrease re-admissions, and streamline patent care. Accordingly, our Observation Services at Western Maryland Health System continues to grow. We have physically expanded from ten to […]
read articlePosted in Future of Healthcare, Observation Care
The Decline and Fall of Triage in the ER
April 13th, 2012by: Dr. Vipul Kella
The national trend toward overcrowding in emergency rooms is having an interesting effect on a process that was conceived to handle a large number of injured patients: triage. One might expect that as more and more patients flow into the ER, the process of triage would become even more central to the smooth flow and […]
read articlePosted in Quality Efficiency Utilization
New Observation Unit at WMHS Meets Growing Trend
July 22nd, 2011by: Dr. Rob Flint
We are proud to announce the opening of a new observation medicine unit at Western Maryland Health System (WMHS) in Cumberland, MD. We believe observation medicine will be a growing specialty as health care reform changes the way health care is delivered in the United States. The concept is to allow a focused, intense evaluation of certain patients […]
read articlePosted in Observation Care
RAC Audits – Big Brother is Watching You (and Our Hospital Partners too)
July 6th, 2011by: Dr. Aaron Snyder
In November 2009, the National Medical Fee For Service Error Rate, was estimated by the US government to be $24,000,000,000 dollars. Yes, twenty four BILLION dollars. Well guess what, Uncle Sam wants this back. On January 1, 2011, hospitals nationwide received audits from RAC auditors, or Recovery Audit Contractors. In essence, these are private contractors […]
read articlePosted in Hospital Partnership, Observation Care
Update from the 2011 ACEP Leadership & Advocacy Conference
June 24th, 2011by: Dr. Orlee Panitch
“Our commitment to our patients is no longer limited to the clinical skills we demonstrate in the emergency department. Due to the changing dynamics of health care, our profession requires stellar leadership as well as political effectiveness.” – from ACEP’s webpage advertising Leadership and Advocacy Conference, 2011. The 2011 ACEP Leadership and Advocacy Conference is […]
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