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The Inpatient Digital Experience

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In this episode of This Week in Health Tech, Vik and Jimmy are joined by Jeff Fallon, CEO and Chairman of eVideon, where they discuss the digital transformation happening to the hospital inpatient experience.

Here is what they discussed:

  • “About 75 percent of hospital rooms have not changed much since the 1970’s…”
    • Jeff and Vik discuss the current state of hospital rooms and how the digital transformation can be achieved in hospital rooms.
  • “Why now do you see this different approach for providing inpatient healthcare?”
    • Jimmy asks Jeff why the digital transformation has taken so long in healthcare. Jeff answers that the pandemic has certainly accelerated the transition, and compares it to the changes happening in telehealth. Jeff also mentions value-based care being a big driver for hospitals to make the change.
  • “The right approach is to provide an experience where the patient doesn’t feel like a guest in someone’s hospital.”
    • Vik brings up the idea of smart hospital rooms, and Jeff agrees that the technology is there to provide better patient engagement.
    • The use of smart TVs and smart speakers can help give patients more control over their experience in the hospital.
  • “It looks like eVideon is making a more interactive/pleasant experience for patients..”
    • Jimmy asks Jeff about how eVideon is providing an overall better inpatient experience. Jeff elaborates on the importance of providing entertainment for patients and being able to give patients control over what apps they want to use.
  • “You better have a smart digital strategy for all types of folks.”
    • Vik makes a good point that everyone is not on the same level when it comes to using technology. Jeff addresses this as well and comments that a smart digital strategy is one that can benefit everyone, regardless of an individual’s comfortability with technology.

Listen to the full episode:

Learn more about Tido’s Digital Packages:
Tido’s Digital Packages

Learn more about Tido’s Integration Packages:
Tido’s Integration Packages

eVideon Healthcare: https://www.evideon.com/

Using wearables for preventive patient care

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In this episode of This Week in Health Tech, Jimmy and Vik are joined by Dr. Michael Farmer, a Cardiologist and founder of Corverix. Michael discusses the importance of using wearables for preventive patient care.

Hear is what they discussed:

  • “I really feel strongly that the systems we have are completely reactive based with zero emphasis on prevention.”
    • Michael tells the duo his opinion on the state of healthcare and why he got into the business of wearables. He talks on how current wearables can provide preventive patient information to healthcare providers.
  • “Value-based care and wearables actually align quite well.”
    • Michael agrees with Vik on the ROI that wearables can give healthcare providers. Michael discusses how wearables can provide more accurate data for doctors to rely on, such as sleep. With the massive amounts of data that wearables can provide, Jimmy asks Michael what data points patients should be on the lookout for.
  • “We are seeing digital transformations in health systems happening overnight.”
    • Vik talks on how COVID-19 accelerated the need for digital integration in healthcare systems. They discuss methods for integrating wearable data into EHR’s. With Cure’s Act around the corner, Vik discusses the potential for accessing patient data.
  • “People can prolong their life with really simple lifestyle changes.”
    • Michael gives his recommendations how to to improve your health and the future of wearable technology.

Listen to the full episode:

For more information regarding Corverix, click link below:
https://corverix.com/pages/wearables

Learn more about Tido’s Digital Packages:
Tido’s Digital Packages

Learn more about Tido’s Integration Packages:
Tido’s Integration Packages

Test Automation in Healthcare

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In this episode of This Week in Health Tech, Vik and Jimmy discuss the importance and growing need of test automation for EHR as well as testing for web/mobile applications.
They are joined by Laura O’Toole, who serves as President of Santa Rosa Consulting, and Ryan Neaves, VP of Care Applications at Novant Health.

Here is what they discussed:

  • “You can never have enough testing”.
    • As said by Vik himself, this illustrates the main talking point of this episode. The group elaborates on why rigorous and extensive testing must be done and continue to be done to ensure that the best healthcare can be provided.
  • “Test automation is the next iteration for the healthcare industry…”.
    • Ryan discusses the changing landscape of the healthcare industry regarding test automation. He explains that other industries have relied on test automation for decades, and the need for healthcare to transition to test automation continues to grow. Ryan and Laura also discuss the successful test automation implementation at Novant Health.
  • “It takes a change in mentality and culture…”.
    • The transition from in-person testing to test automation takes some getting used to. Vik talks side-effects of the test automation transition in relation to ROI. The group discusses how test automation can free up key personnel to work on more important tasks. Laura and Ryan elaborate on making sure the team has confidence when working with test automation and giving up control.
  • “How do you adapt and get better in the face of COVID-19”.
    • The group discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use and need of test automation. Vik talks about how COVID-19 has made testing for digital apps more important. Patient engagement due to COVID-19 relies heavily over digital apps. Because the digital transformation is happening so fast under COVID-19, the need for test automation in areas other than EHR is high. Laura remarks on how COVID-19 threw the health industry into the frying pan and highlights on how it forced healthcare workers to focus their skills and utilize test automation.
  • “How do you pitch test automation to your C-suite? It’s easy.”
    • Ryan explains that his conversation with his C-suite was relatively seamless because the deliverables on it were highly sought after. The ability to scale very rapidly is a key selling point, especially given the current pandemic. Ryan delves into more detail into how COVID-19 is a great example of why test automation is so relevant and necessary.

Listen to the full podcast:


Click below for more information regarding Tido’s test automation packages:

Test Automation Packages

Empowering Patients with their Health Record in a Modern Health IT Economy

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In this episode of This Week in Health Tech, Vik and Jimmy focus on the ONC’s Cures Act Final Rule and how it will benefit the patient and healthcare industry.

Here is what they discussed:

  • “The new rule puts the patients first in terms of health technology.”
    • Vik explains that by putting the patient first in terms of health technology enables the health care industry to give patients transparency into the cost and outcome of their care. The duo go over more benefits of the rule including: giving patients the option to shop around for healthcare, having convenient and reliable access to their medical records, and creating a boom in the app economy.
  • “I think innovation is going to go through the roof for smartphone apps.”
    • Vik elaborates on how the new rule gives room for innovation that developers can take advantage of. It can allow for a patient to choose from a number of apps that specifically caters to their healthcare needs.
  • “It’s going to improve the healthcare service provided to the patient…”
    • Jimmy asks how the new rule could affect clinics. Vik explains that the data will be accessible for everyone to see the outcomes of clinics, which will forces poorer performing clinics to improve their services. Vik and Jimmy discuss potential security and privacy concerns. Vik addresses these by discussing security protocols already used in other industries, such as banking, which can be used also in the healthcare industry.
  • “Is there any pushback to this rule?”
    • Vik explains that the majority of people are for this rule, especially Big Tech(Microsoft, Apple, Google, Amazon). Jimmy asks Vik about pushback from EHR’s.
  • “We are going to have a lot of apps for providers as well.”
    • Vik states that the innovation from the new rule will not benefit solely patients but providers as well. Healthcare providers will be able to find/transfer patient records with ease.

Listen to the full episode:

Click link below to learn more about ONC’s Cures Act Final Rule:
https://www.healthit.gov/curesrule/

Learn more about Tido’s Integration Packages:

Tido’s Integration Packages

Improving the Patient/Provider Telehealth Experience

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In this episode of This Week in Health Tech Vik and Jimmy discuss making changes to telehealth and how the ongoing COVID pandemic has pushed telehealth to the forefront in focusing on how to provide the optimal user experience for patients and providers.

Hear is what they discussed:

  • “Telehealth is here to stay.”
    • Jimmy and Vik dive into the importance of telehealth and how the pandemic has created the necessity to improve the field.
  • “If you want your telehealth to be the best, you have to invest in good audio quality…”
    • Jimmy shares how improving audio quality is the most important aspect of providing engaging telehealth. Vik and Jimmy compare the pro’s and con’s of different types of microphones and audio equipment.
  • “Video quality can always be better.”
    • Jimmy recommends getting a dedicated web camera to be one the biggest improvements you can make for telehealth. Vik adds that your internet connection is more important than your video quality, and elaborates on how patients and providers can improve in that area. Jimmy gives his tips on how to improve your rooms at home/office for a better telehealth experience.
  • “How easy was it to schedule my virtual visit?”
    • Vik talks on the necessity for the telehealth system to be seamless. In particular, patients should have an easy and accessible way to make appointments.

Listen to the full episode:

Click below to learn more about Tido’s Digital Packages:

Tido’s Digital Packages

Click below to learn more about Tido’s Integration Packages:

Tido’s Integration Packages

Managing Human Resources during a Pandemic

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In this episode of This Week in Health Tech, Vik and Jimmy are joined by Tony Welch, Senior VP and Chief Human Resources Office for Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Tony discusses the challenges that COVID-19 brings to Human Resources and how his hospital has adapted.

Here is what they discussed:

  • “We  had to tear up our HR manual and start from new.”
    • Tony describes the steps his hospital took to address the growing COVID-19 cases. He goes into detail about how they managed PPE equipment and how his team came up with solutions to help prevent PPE shortages.

 

  • “You really have to figure out what to do with staffing.”
    • When it came to the staff, Tony reiterates that they didn’t furlough or layoff a single employee. His HR team instead created a labor pool, where staff were re-assigned jobs based on what was needed. The morale of his team stayed positive, and other facilities followed what Phoebe Putney was doing.

 

  • “What about communication with staff and keeping them updated?”
    • Vik asks Tony how they were able to effectively communicate with staff and keep them updated. Phoebe Putney hospital set up a command center that was manned 17 hours daily. Tony explains that the executive board became very transparent with the staff and the community. Other forms of communication include newsletters and daily videos for staff.

 

  • “Did you look into any digital tools that could help the staff and the patient in regards to COVID?”
    • Vik asks Tony whether they have intensified their approach to telehealth systems and other digital apps. Tony shares that telehealth has been in the works for a couple years but COVID has definitely accelerated more implementation of telehealth.

 

  • “Diversity and Inclusion are things that we’ve put on the radar since day one.”
    • With the social unrest currently going on in our country, Jimmy asks Tony what they are doing to address these on-going problems. Tony reiterates that they are looking at every demographic when it comes to their staff, including generational differences.

 

Listen to the full episode:



Click below for more information regarding Tido’s test automation packages:

Test Automation Packages
Learn more about Tido’s Integration Packages:

Tido’s Integration Packages

Healthcare IT Future Readiness

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In this episode of This Week in Health Tech, Vik and Jimmy are joined by Laura O’Toole, President of Santa Rosa Consulting Inc. They discuss the current healthcare crisis involving COVID and how to be better prepared for the future.

Here is what they discussed:

  • “Santa Rosa Consulting is a healthcare focused IT consulting business.”
    • Laura introduces herself and talks about Santa Rosa Consulting and the relationship they have with Tido Inc. She discusses recent transitions Santa Rosa Consulting has made and how COVID-19 has impacted them.
  • ” How does your team deal with working remotely all the time?”
    • Vik asks Laura how the shift to the virtual world has impacted Santa Rosa Consulting. Laura discusses cultural changes that had to be made, especially with clients. She then discusses how to promote a healthy work-life balance within the company.
  • “When COVID hit, hospitals were forced to pick a digital system.”
    • Vik comments on how healthcare providers had been talking about implementing digital systems for years and how COVID-19 forced them to pick a solution. Laura discusses the rapid transformation to digital that has occurred because of COVID within the last 4-5 months.
  • “Whether it’s testing, integration or smart technology, we have to help our clients get up to speed so that they can help their patients safely and efficiently.”
    • Vik and Laura discuss making sure that their clients are adapting well to the digital transformation. Vik elaborates on taking advantage of cloud infrastructure and using tools such as machine learning, AI, and mobile apps to help the telehealth process for clients and patients.
  • “This becomes about patient engagement, and really making yourself a chameleon as a provider, so that you change your colors based on who you’re engaging with.”
    • Laura makes a great analogy when it comes to the provider needing to adapt to each patients individual technical skills.
  • “For emergency preparedness, what are some of the tools clients should be looking at?”
    • Laura and Vik talk bout how important a robust Intranet is for the healthcare provider. Laura talks on how having a good test automation system can help providers be ready for the next crisis.

Listen to the full episode:

Learn more about Tido’s Digital Packages:
Tido’s Digital Packages

Click below for more information regarding Tido’s Test Automation packages:

Test Automation Packages

Santa Rosa Consulting:

Santa Rosa Consulting

Ensuring Privacy and Security in the New Normal

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In this episode of This Week in Health Tech, Vik and Jimmy discuss the current pandemic and it’s affects on security and privacy.

Here is what they discussed:

  • “Healthcare providers were already working on digital systems before COVID, and now that its here, its here to stay.”
    • Digital systems were already being developed and used by healthcare providers, but the pandemic accelerated the implementation. Jimmy talks about how other industries have already relied on digital solutions, such as the fitness industry.
  • “What about the security and privacy concerns of all these new digital apps?”
    • Jimmy asks Vik how countries and companies are delivering secure and private data transfers. Vik gives an example of privacy and security concerns in Norway relating to tracing apps.
  • “Since everyone is working from home, the risk factor is so much higher…”
    • As more and more people work from home, it creates a larger opportunity for hackers to access private data. Vik gives a few examples on how data is breached, with phishing emails being the most common type of exploit.
  • “With new digital tools/apps, you do need to constantly make sure everything is working with no holes, and that’s where test automation comes in.”
    • With the increase in new digital apps, there is also an increase in test automation for new digital systems. Vik explains the importance of test automation when rolling out new digital tools, especially in regards to client/patient security and privacy.
  • “Related to privacy and security, I think disaster recovery is another key aspect.”
    • Vik discusses the importance of having a plan in case crucial team members are not able to work. Other things to consider include having proper documentation and proper communication amongst the organization.
  • “A lot of healthcare providers are moving over to the cloud. Is there any risk in this transition?”
    • As more and more organizations migrate to cloud-based services, Jimmy asks Vik the risk of such a large move. Vik explains how having a smart integration system will help in making sure all data is secure.

Listen to the full episode:

Click below to learn more about Tido’s Digital Packages:

Tido’s Digital Packages

Click below to learn more about Tido’s Integration Packages:

Tido’s Integration Packages

Healthcare Disruption with Big Tech

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In this episode of This Week in Health Tech, Vik and Jimmy are joined by Unmesh Srivastava, CTO of P3 Health Partners. They discuss the role of Big Tech in healthcare.

Here is what they discussed:

  • “Our secret sauce is the data enablement and our care-model.”
    • Unmesh introduces P3 Health Partners, a health population management group. P3 Health Partners utilizes their care-delivery network to provide the best patient/provider experience.
  • “Healthcare is changing, and it’s changing really really quick.”
    • COVID has changed the landscape of healthcare forever. Unmesh comments on Big Tech starting to enter the healthcare industry and how they can be the disruption that the industry needs.
  • “This is one industry(healthcare) that needs to be disrupted by tech, data, policies and more transparency.”
    • Jimmy asks why Big Tech is starting to enter the industry. Unmesh comments that they biggest problem in America is the current healthcare system. As Big Tech enters the market, they can start to alleviate some problems, just as Big Tech did in other sectors such as transportation.
  • “To hold us true to P3’s promise of care, data is the only currency that is going to make it work.”
    • Data is the bedrock layer of any organization, as commented by Unmesh. Vik asks about P3’s digital strategy and Unmesh goes into detail about P3 Data Fabric. Vik mentions a similar strategy that Tido Inc implements called Smart Integration.
  • “How can you police Big Tech without actually having rules they need to follow?”
    • Vik questions the regulations surrounding Big Tech as the enter the healthcare market. Unmesh discusses that policies, compliance and governance need to be in place. Jimmy makes a point about regulations and policies being the reason why the healthcare industry is so behind other industries in terms of digital transformation.
  • “The future of healthcare is going to be less episodic and more continuous virtual care.”
    • The trio discuss where the future of healthcare can go. Vik brings up body chips and wearables. Unmesh believes that the future will bring in a more constantly monitored based system for healthcare.

Listen to the episode:

Learn more about Tido’s Integration Packages:
Tido’s Integration Packages

Learn more about Tido’s Digital Packages:
Tido’s Digital Packages

 

Find out more about P3 Health Partners:

https://p3hp.org/