Nursing Informatics Advocate

Mother Knows?

2011-07-17T22:23:00.000-05:00

A new PHR will give mothers the ability to track their childrens' health informaton is one spot: MotherKnows.com, which also allows them access to tools to help track childhood milestones, such as growth charts and vaccination records.

Source: http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/service-give-parents-access-their-kids-phrs

ONC introduces Investing in Innovations (i2) Initiative (HIMSS News)

2011-06-12T08:34:00.010-05:00

This week, ONC announced a new $5 million program designed to promote health IT innovation. The program, called the Investing in Innovations (i2) Initiative, will create prizes and competitions to accelerate the development of solutions and communities around key challenges in health IT. The i2 program is the first Obama administration program using prizes and challenges to advance an HHS’s mission. The funding was appropriated through the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010.
According to Tom Kalil, Deputy Director for Policy at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy,“The core of this bold initiative will be a series of prize competitions – up to 15 each year – that will accelerate innovation and adoption of health IT for improved clinical outcomes and efficient care delivery. For example, a prize competition under i2 might challenge software developers to build new tools for the seamless exchange of health information among hospitals, clinics, and physicians with tailored privacy settings or to create new ‘blue button’ apps that enable patients to download and reuse their clinical information.”

Source: http://www.himss.org/ASP/ContentRedirector.asp?ContentId=77567&type=HIMSSNewsItem

Health IT Policy Committee Votes to Recommend a Delay in Stage 2

2011-06-11T18:23:00.001-05:00

...[T]he HIT Policy Committee discussed various policy recommendations from the Meaningful Use Workgroup, Privacy & Security Tiger Team, Quality Measures Workgroup, and Certification/Adoption Workgroup. Letters to be sent to Farzad Mostashari, National Coordinator for Health IT, incorporate recommendations passed by the Committee in several areas. The Committee voted 12-5 in favor of several recommendations regarding Meaningful Use, including delaying stage 2 requirements by one year (to 2014) for providers attesting to meaningful use in 2011.

The HIT Policy Committee voted to submit the following Meaningful Use recommendations to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius as well as CMS and ONC leadership for Meaningful Use stage 2:

Delay Stage 2 MU requirements a year (2014) for providers attesting to Meaningful Use in 2011
Thirty-six Stage 2 Meaningful Use objectives

Opponents of the recommendations raised concerns around the flexibility of the new Meaningful Use criteria and higher thresholds, as well as concerns regarding the timing of Stage 2.
Privacy, Security
The Policy Committee voted in favor of a revision to the 10/19/2010 recommendation to HHS concerning Certificate Authorities, which issue the digital certificates required for the NwHIN exchange.
Quality Measures, EHR Usability
The Policy Committee also heard recommendations for how to align quality measures with the National Quality Strategy as well as recommendations on Usability stemming from an April 21st hearing on EHR Usability by the Certification/Adoption Workgroup.
The next HIT Policy Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 6th, at the Renaissance Dupont Circle Hotel. Meanwhile, the HIT Standards Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, June 22nd. Location is TBA. HIMSS Federal Affairs has prepared a summary of the HIT Policy Committee recommendations, while audio for the meeting is now available online.
Source: Health IT Policy Update is a weekly online newsletter published by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). Copyright© 2011 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.

Pioneers of Nursing Informatics Study - Please Participate

2011-06-11T04:15:00.000-05:00

Fellow Informatics Professional:
Your assistance is needed in planned dissertation research on Pioneers of Nursing Informatics. I am a doctoral student in Nursing at the University of Connecticut, and I am seeking to prioritize a list of Pioneers in Nursing Informatics for more in-depth qualitative research. If you choose to participate in this Delphi survey, you will be asked to identify the top 5 Pioneers from an established list, or of your independent choosing, who meet the following definition and criteria:

Pioneer: An innovator, trailblazer, or groundbreaker in some aspect of nursing informatics, who was “first” in opening up a new area/aspect of nursing informatics, shaped the thinking/direction or nursing informatics, and demonstrated sustained leadership in nursing informatics.

Prioritization should be based on the degree to which you, the participant, believe the Pioneer embodies the achievements and qualities listed in the definition as well as the weight the participant gives to the amount the Pioneer or their work has influenced their own career in nursing informatics.

If you choose to participate, you may follow the following link to a brief, anonymous survey. Consent is assumed upon completion of the survey.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YJJFZ9Z
Ann Zievers Branchini, MSN, RN courtesy of Susan K. Newbold, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN, FHIMSS

Fwd: New study for nurses only on how lifestyles affect health – volunteers needed

2011-05-29T08:30:00.002-05:00

Dear Colleague:

I wanted to let you know about a study that is currently recruiting female nurses from across the United States: the Nurses' Health Study 3. Investigators at the Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, are asking female nurses between the ages of 22 and 45 to join this study.

The original Nurses' Health Study began in 1976 with the participation of more than 121,000 nurses. In 1989 an additional 116,000 female RNs were enrolled in Nurses' Health Study II. These studies have taught us much of what we currently know about how foods, exercise, and medications can affect women's risk of developing cancer and other serious health conditions. However, there is still a great deal that we do not know, especially among women from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

The goal of the Nurses' Health Study 3 is to investigate how women's lifestyles (including diet, exercise, birth control, pregnancy, work exposures etc.) during their 20's, 30's and 40's can influence their health and disease risk later in life. Because of nurses' unique knowledge, training and interest in health issues, they can provide very accurate and complete information. Enrollment started in the summer of 2010 and will continue until we reach our target enrollment of 100,000 nurses.

If you do not qualify but know someone who does, feel free to share this information with her.

To make it more convenient, Nurses' Health Study 3 will be conducted entirely over the Internet, via online questionnaires. For more information and to join visit their website www.NHS3.org.

I encourage you to consider participating in this long-term study and invite others to participate. Your contribution can help identify important nutritional, lifestyle and biological factors which could lead to optimal health.

Source: Karen Daley, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, ANA President

TNA NEWS...HHS announces $100 million in Affordable Care Act grants to help create healthier U.S. communities

2011-05-28T08:37:00.008-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2011

Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

$100 million in Affordable Care Act grants to help create healthier U.S. communities

Prevention grants to focus on improving health, which can lower costs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced today the availability of over $100 million in funding for up to 75 Community Transformation Grants. Created by the Affordable Care Act, these grants are aimed at helping communities implement projects proven to reduce chronic diseases – such as diabetes and heart disease. By promoting healthy lifestyles and communities, especially among population groups experiencing the greatest burden of chronic disease, these grants will help improve health, reduce health disparities, and lower health care costs.

"Community Transformation Grants will empower local communities with resources, information, and flexibility to help make their residents healthier," said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "By helping to transform communities at the ground level, these efforts can have a major impact on the health of Americans."

"It is critical that we sustain our work to develop and spread effective programs that address leading killers like heart disease, cancer, and stroke," said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which oversees the Community Transformation Grants program. "These funds will allow us to build on successful programs that have helped people lead healthier lifestyles and help us save millions in health care costs in the future."

Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes are taking a devastating toll on our nation's health. Seven of every 10 deaths are from a chronic disease – mostly caused by tobacco use, obesity, poor diet, and too little physical activity. Treatment for people with chronic conditions accounts for more than 75-percent of the more than $2 trillion spent on annual U.S. medical care costs. Obesity is a significant health care cost driver; in 2008, about $147 billion of medical bills were weight-related.

Consistent with the law, these grants will focus on five priority areas: 1) tobacco-free living; 2) active living and healthy eating; 3) evidence-based quality clinical and other preventive services, specifically prevention and control of high blood pressure and high cholesterol; 4) social and emotional wellness, such as facilitating early identification of mental health needs and access to quality services, especially for people with chronic conditions; and 5) healthy and safe physical environments.

Successful applicants must use evidence-based strategies and ensure that their activities not only have broad population impact, but also help address health disparities. Examples of projects that could qualify for grants include eliminating food deserts and increasing access to healthy food options, including efforts to improve school nutrition or bring healthier food to corner markets in urban areas. Other examples include promoting blood pressure and cholesterol screenings.

Communities may also address additional areas of disease prevention and health promotion that will contribute to the overall goal of reducing chronic disease rates. These areas include adolescent health; arthritis and osteoporosis; cancer; diabetes; disabilities and secondary conditions; educational and community-based services; environmental health; HIV; injury and violence prevention; maternal, infant, and child health; mental health and mental disorders; health of older adults; oral health; and sexually transmitted diseases.

State and local government agencies, tribes and territories, and state and local non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for Community Transformation Grants. At least 20-percent of grant funds will be directed to rural and frontier areas. Applications are due to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in July 2011, with awards expected to be announced near the end of summer. The grants are expected to run for five years, with projects expanding their scope and reach over time as resources permit.

The Community Transformation Grants are one piece of a broader effort by the Obama Administration to address the health and well-being of our communities through initiatives such as the President's Childhood Obesity Task Force, the First Lady's Let's Move! campaign, the National Prevention Strategy, the National Quality Strategy, and HHS' Communities Putting Prevention to Work program. The Prevention and Public Health Fund, as part of the Affordable Care Act, is supporting this and other initiatives designed to expand and sustain the necessary capacity to prevent disease, detect it early, manage conditions before they become severe, and provide states and communities the resources they need to promote healthy living. For more information about how the Fund is helping promote prevention in every state, visit www.HealthCare.gov/news/factsheets/prevention02092011a.html.

The official funding opportunity announcement for the Community Transformation Grants can be found at www.Grants.gov by searching for CDFA 93-531. For more information about the grants, visit www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/grants05132011a.html or www.cdc.gov/communitytransformation.

Source: TNA News

Government watchdog raises red flag on health IT security

2011-05-26T08:51:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON – A Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General review of health IT security has found that the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) has yet to address fully the security concerns associated health information technology.
While the ONC has security controls in the interoperability specifications, there are no HIT standards that include general information IT security controls, the OIG noted in its report.

As defined by the OIG, general IT security controls are the structure, policies, and procedures that apply to an entity's overall computer operations, ensure the proper operation of information systems, and create a secure environment for application systems and controls.

"At the time of our initial audit, the interoperability specifications were the ONC HIT standards and included security features necessary for securely passing data between EHR systems (e.g., encrypting transmissions between EHR systems). These controls in the EHR systems were application security controls, not general IT security controls," the OIG states in its executive summary.

"We found a lack of general IT security controls during prior audits at Medicare contractors, State Medicaid agencies, and hospitals," OIG officials state. "Those vulnerabilities, combined with our findings in this audit, raise concern about the effectiveness of IT security for HIT if general IT security controls are not addressed.

The OIG recommended that the ONC

broaden its focus from interoperability specifications to also include well-developed general IT security controls for supporting systems, networks, and infrastructures;
use its leadership role to provide guidance to the health industry on established general IT security standards and IT industry security best practices;
emphasize to the medical community the importance of general IT security; and (4) coordinate its work with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Department's Office for Civil Rights to add general IT security controls where applicable. ONC concurred with our recommendations.

Source: http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/government-watchdog-raises-red-flag-health-it-security

TNA NEWS...Call for Abstracts - ANA's 6th Annual Nursing Quality Conference

2011-05-25T08:59:00.001-05:00

The Call for Abstracts for ANA's 6^th Annual Nursing Quality Conference is open now through Monday, June 20, 2011. Please visit http://ana.confex.com/ana/ndnqi12/cfp.cgi to submit an abstract.

The conference, Improving the Odds on Quality, is scheduled for January 25-27, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Conference topics include Achieving and Sustaining Change for Improvement; Nursing Workforce Characteristics and Processes with Outcomes; Technological Advances for Outcome Measurement; Development of Nursing Quality Measures in Specialty Areas; and National Quality Policy and Nursing Practice.

The conference goals are:

·        Distinguish methods for achieving and sustaining change for improvement with nursing sensitive quality measures.
·        Combine key aspects and components of the nursing workforce and nursing processes related to patient outcomes.
·        Determine technological advances for nursing quality outcome measurement.
·      Model and outline the development of new nursing measures and their definitions in specialty areas for new populations or non-acute care settings.
·      Distinguish leading national quality policy and its impact in nursing practice at the local, state and national level.

Source: TNA News

ONC provides exam to help identify HIT experts

2011-05-24T07:11:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON – On Friday the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) announced the initial release of the Health Information Technology Professionals Examinations to identify highly skilled health IT experts.

The exams allow individuals to demonstrate their level of skill in competencies identified as essential for key health IT professional workforce roles. The exams will also enable healthcare providers and other employers to assess the health IT competencies of their staffs. Employers who must effectively implement and support the use of health IT to achieve their goals can use the exams to identify additional training needs for existing staff and more accurately define their remaining personnel needs. Institutions of higher education can utilize the exams to evaluate and improve their health IT programs.

The National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Farzad Mostashari said, "Hospitals, health professionals, vendors, and even ONC grantees will benefit from knowing they are employing professionals with a proven skill set. The exam provides an opportunity for health IT professionals to demonstrate their competencies, and affords employers an opportunity to measure the caliber of their workforce in order to strengthen deficiencies."

The Health IT Professionals Exams are open to individuals now. The six exams are aligned with the roles and training provided by ONC's Community College Consortia program, which include:

Clinician/Practitioner Consultant
Implementation Manager
Implementation Support Specialist
Practice Workflow & Information Management Redesign Specialist
Technical/Software Support Staff
Trainer

Vouchers to take an exam free of charge will be available for 27,500 U.S. health IT workers. Individuals eligible for the free exam voucher include students trained through the Community College Consortia program and other individuals with relevant experience, training, or education in healthcare or information technology. Vouchers will be accepted and the exam administered at 230 U.S. testing centers.

Individuals who cannot obtain a voucher, or who wish to take more than one exam can make reservations to take exams with Pearson VUE, a technology-based testing business, either by telephone (888-944-8776) or online. The cost of the first exam for individuals without a voucher is $299. The cost for individuals re-taking an exam for the same role, or taking an additional exam for another role is $199.

Source: http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/onc-provides-exam-help-identify-hit-experts
Te new examination program is funded under the HITECH Act. ONC in April 2010 awarded a $6 million grant to Northern Virginia Community College, which partnered with the American Health Information Management Association and testing firm Pearson VUE to develop the exams.
Vouchers for free exams, on a first-served basis, are available at hitproexams.org for 27,500 U.S. health I.T. workers. Eligible individuals include those trained through the community college program and others with relevant experience, training or education. ONC has selected 230 sites across the nation where the exams will be offered. Individuals unable to obtain a voucher can pay $299 for an exam. The cost for re-taking an exam for the same role or an additional exam is $199.

Source: http://www.healthdatamanagement.com/news/onc-competency-examinations-community-college-hitech-42517-1.html

Consortium Grant Info: http://healthit.hhs.gov/portal/server.pt?open=512&mode=2&objID=1929

Test Certificates: http://www.hitproexams.org/

We (Tennesseans) are in Region D of the Consortium: http://healthit.hhs.gov/portal/server.pt?open=512&mode=2&objID=3599&PageID=24037

Businesses block or limit monitoring of social media

2011-05-20T11:27:00.001-05:00

A second survey by SCCE and HCCA, intended to track how businesses respond to social media reported

42% of respondents disciplined employees over such usage, up from 24% in 2009
Only one-third have developed policies on outside use of social networks by employee; but, that's up to 31% from 2009
Passive monitoring systems are up to 48% from 32% in 2009
LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter may be specifically blocked, or have some restricted access
Only 40% of healtcare companies compared to 70% of others allow access
For-profits are more likely to allow access than nonprofits

It seems that businesses are still failing to harness the power of the grapevine, much less sales and general publicity promotions, through utilization of social networks.

For the full report, go to http://www.hcca-info.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Surveys&Template=/surveyform.cfm&survey=2011SocialMedia

Read more at the source of the article http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/survey-social-media-monitoring-methods-employees-lacking

UbiCare Engagement Quotient

2011-05-19T03:02:00.000-05:00

UbiCare's (https://ubicare.com/) Engagement Quotient (EQ) Chart aims to measure hospital and healthcare-associated Facebook use through measurement of fans interacting with those pages. They will rank them based on (among other things)

Posts
Links
Likes
Comments

It purports it will:

On the start page lists newly engaged sites
Publishes lists of top performers (https://ubicare.com/engagement)
Provide searches on size, rank, and region
Engage patients in healthcare discussions (https://ubicare.com/faq)
Later rank and weight based on various factors, including quality of postings

Overall, it's a good idea that has the potential to

Increase viral qualities to healthcare discussions
Provide data-driven ROI
Focus on quality of information (depending on how the tool improves and is used)

For the original source of this story, go to: http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/new-tool-helps-hospitals-measure-facebook-engagement

Makovsky & Company Rates Social Media Health Resources

2011-05-18T20:20:00.000-05:00

A March 2011 done by Kelton Research showed that, while use is up for social media websites, trust remains stronger in the relatively older, vanguard of online health resources.

Health magazines' websites and WebMD continue to be the more trusted online resource for healthcare information
User-generated health content includes Wikipedia, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and blogs
User-generated content was used by 54%, compared to 68% of users relying
The poll looked at 1,111 consumers nationally, 18-years and older
Government-sponsored health websites rate as a favorite by almost a third of users
Peer-sponsored information sites, such as Facebook groups, rated as least trusted by almost a third too

A key distinction is that peer-to-peer, emotional experiences have impact and other needs they fulfill, but they don't seem to meet data-driven information requirements. (Common sense, really. People want comfort, but ultimately are looking so they can fix/do something. Anyway, one thing this study does is look at a true communications piece in social media, which is channels. It breaks down the use of difference media by use mainly through separating these personal from professional sources of trusted information. It's a rather direct link, and fails to look at the need to integrate the two, or the areas where the two overlap (such as the need to have a share type link at Government-sponsored websites, such as PubMed.org, so that more accurate information is shared, and users driven to the best sources available.

For more information, look at the original story here: http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/healthcare-websites-beat-out-social-media-health-resource

2011 NLM/FNLM Conference

2011-05-16T13:49:00.000-05:00

2011 NLM/FNLM Conference, "Clinical Trials: New Challenges and Opportunities," on June 6-7, at the Natcher Conference Center in Bethesda , MD.

The conference will feature a presentation by Francis Collins, MD, PhD, Director of the National Institutes of Health, and keynote address by Robert Califf, MD, Vice Chancellor for Clinical Research, Duke University .

To register, go to: https://ww2.eventrebels.com/er/Registration/LandingPageEntry.jsp?ActivityID=6222 or visit www.fnlm.org and click "Register Now."

Schedule at a Glance

Monday, June 6

5:30 pm Reception for Conference Attendees
6:30 pm Keynote Address from Robert Califf, MD Vice Chancellor for Clinical Research
Duke University
7:30 pm Dinner for Conference Attendees

Tuesday, June 7

8:30 am-11:00 am Presentations by:

Deborah Zarin, MD, Director ClinicalTrials.gov
Francis Collins, MD, PhD, Director National Institutes of Health

11:15 am-5:30 pm Panel Sessions

"Partnering with Participants in Clinical Trials"
"Improving Clinical Trials Methods"
"Deciding Which Clinical Trials to Do"
"Using Clinical Trials to Improve Patient Care"

For a complete conference program, copy the following URL: http://www.fnlm.org/pdfs/Conf%202011/CT_Conf_Program2011.pdf or visit www.fnlm.org and click "Conference Program."

Co-Sponsored by:

The National Library of Medicine: www.nlm.nih.gov
Friends of the National Library of Medicine: www.fnlm.org
American Association for the Advancement of Science: www.aaas.org

With the Support of:

Food and Drug Law Institute: www.fdli.org
American Medical Informatics Association: www.amia.org
Medical Library Association: www.mlanet.org

Past Conferences:

2010: The E-Patient: Digital and Genomic Technologies for Personalized Health Care. To learn more, visit http://www.fnlm.org/Events-2010-Conf.html
2009: Personal Electronic Health Records: From Biomedical Research to People's Health. To learn more, visit http://www.fnlm.org/Events-2009-Conf.html

For more information, please contact Helen Harley helen.harley@fnlm.org

The Friends of the National Library of Medicine is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

7900 Wisconsin Ave. * Suite 200 * Bethesda , MD 20814

www.fnlm.org

Courtesy of Susan K Newbold PhD RN-BC FAAN FHIMSS

11th International NI Congress Calls for Proposals

2011-05-15T13:59:00.000-05:00

11th International NI Congress Calls for Proposals

AMIA is the host for the 11th International Nursing Informatics Congress, NI2012: Advancing Global Health T hr ough Informatics, to be held June 23-27, 2012, at the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure, Montreal , Canada . NI2012 is the official meeting of the International Medical Informatics Association(IMIA) Special Interest Group on Nursing Informatics. As an 'association of associations', IMIA acts as a bridging organization, bringing together the constituent organizations and their members. Every third year, IMIA chooses an organization to host the meeting. Next year, in its role as host, AMIA will convene many other societies in the Americas to participate.

Program Chair Patricia Abbott, PhD, RN, FACMI, Johns Hopkins University , has recruited an international group of individuals to serve on NI 2012’s Organizing Committee, Scientific Program Committee and Editorial Committee. To view the full list, http://www.ni2012.org/committee-roster.

NI 2012 is designed for individuals interested in health and health informatics who serve in a variety of roles, such as:

Nurses, other health professionals, and health workers
Administrators, managers, and executives
Informaticians
Educators
Government officials and policymakers
Researchers
Consultants and industry professionals
IT professionals
Students/Trainees

To submit a paper, student paper, poster abstract, student poster abstract, or proposal for a panel, theater-style demonstration, pre-Congress workshop, or pre-Congress tutorial:

Go to the NI2012 website.
Complete the online submission form as instructed and attach your submission in compliance with directions provided in the Call for Participation.
Authors seeking editorial assistance prior to the submission deadline should register their submission no later than July 31, 2011, using the online webform to indicate their need for editorial assistance.
Submissions are open until August 31, 2011.

For more information, www.ni2012.org.

Courtesy of Susan K Newbold PhD RN-BC FAAN FHIMSS

Four Things Your Strategic Plan Needs (or what your business should be doing)

2011-05-05T11:09:00.000-05:00

Michael Dell simplified what every healthgroup, and any other group, needs in their strategic planning.

Unlock information
Empower caregivers
Improve business and Technology Infrastructure
Use information for innovation

For more information, read the source at http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/michael-dell-proposes-4-best-ways-use-health-it

Facebook Use for Hospital Low

2011-03-01T12:04:00.001-06:00

Healthcare IT News put out an article regarding a case study by Simon Associates on Facebook use by hospitals. It notes that few hospitals across the country are properly taking advantage of Facebook and social networking in general, overlooking the value of networking, marketing, and social structure management. Childrens' hospitals led in this venue.

Proper use of Facebook social networking would include:

Increasing daily use
Improving friends and network links
Using calendaring for events promotion and management
Engaging in discussion boards
Improving feedback, such as comments
Engaging clients with photos
Integrating Facebook with other tools
Managing brand

Another Free eBooks Website

2011-01-30T15:42:00.000-06:00

Found another free eBooks websites that I really like: manybooks.net. The other I frequently use is, of course, Project Gutenberg. What's nice is (as I predicted a few years back), Amazon and others are now feeding from free websites, particularly Project Gutenberg. Most are freely delivered through Amazon; but, don't forget you can plug your USB in and download them yourself without worry of cost. This includes both Kindle Format (.AZW) and audiobooks, which are now coming in human-read and computer-generated (which I also expected to happen).

Sutter Medical Center Castro Valley Social Media Campaign

2011-01-29T21:02:00.001-06:00

This is a little stale, but covers the basics of social media for hospitals. One important element she hints on, but should cover in more detail, is its importance to donor campaigns. Another is press impact. And, she notes how important it is to have C-level participation in communications. She does well in pointing out the value of social and contagious media as a means of managing the channels both ways; but, she fails to directly relate to "managing the grapevine," except incidentally, which is key to why social media channels are important. However, she should incorporate the Personal Health Record (PHR) as part of the plan, particularly in patient education. The net still lacks a lot of those elements required for contagious and viral media to contribute to patient education and health. Anyway, glad to this valuable video and that her hospital is trying to educate others on social media and its importance.

Online Journal of Nursing Informatics Now Free

2011-01-27T20:42:00.001-06:00

I'm very glad to see that the Online Journal of Nursing Informatics is updated, and even now free. Hopefully we'll see some new, great content. Wonderful that articles can be downloaded in PDF, and looks like they're starting to integrate droid apps and more.

Predictions for Social Media Policy in 2011

2011-01-25T20:38:00.003-06:00

Five educational predictions on social media and networking for hospitals and businesses in 2011.

Viral and Contagious Media: Hospitals need a policy!

2011-01-24T20:36:00.000-06:00

Hilarious out-take on the surface, but also why hospitals need a policy on social networking and media!

Computer Vision Technology to Have Impact on Patient Safety

2011-01-19T07:01:00.000-06:00

This extensive article explores the expanding role and implications of computer vision technology in our daily lives. of specific interest, it discusses the potential impact the technology could have on patient safety practices. Computers will be able to watch healthcare employees and remind them to do things such as wash their hands, even admonish them if they don't. Computer eyes also have some remarkable skills that could be transferred over to the patient safety world, such as the ability to tell a persons heart rate simply by looking at their face. Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, NY is conducting an experiment using computer vision in one of its rooms that monitors employees and reminds them to wash their hands. (New York Times - January 1, 2011)

From: the Patient Safety Update eNewsletter (Sponsored by Accountable Care News)

Mazzoni Center Seeking Full-time PA or NP

2011-01-16T00:55:00.001-06:00

The Mazzoni Center in Philadelphia, PA is seeking a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner to provide acute and/or routine medical care to an outpatient population with a spectrum of medical conditions, including HIV. Mazzoni Center is the only health care provider in the Philadelphia region specifically targeting the unique health care needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities in AIDS Care, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Bonn, Germany.

Mazzoni is a GLMA Community Partner. Information: For a full job description and application, please go to www.mazzonicenter.org or email pdunne@mazzonicenter.org.

From the head of Zeus

2009-10-21T19:38:00.001-05:00

Consider this: employers and schools, and even volunteer affiliations, are making decisions based on your blogging and social networking habits. But, more important that they're even suing to get archived data from years back. So, once it's out there, you can never take it back... and you get judged on it no matter how old you were, what was going on in your life, etc. There is no longer an opportunity to grow as a person. You are expected to 'spring forth fully grown' as Athena did from the head of Zeus, full of wisdom.

One organization I know recently brought up the issue. They expressed a desire to limit what people put on their social networking accounts, even personal ones, if they're affiliated, as they felt it reflected back on them as an organization.

For me it's an issue of free speech, free association, and this whole world that now emphasizes that you should simultaneously "keep your personal life out of work" as they seek to try harder to control your personal life, especially in the corporate climate.

So, aside from controlling you while you're doing the one thing you must spend at least 40% of your time doing (work), they want to control the other 60% of your life. You cannot talk about or do the activities that define you as a human being. You cannot be an individual. You cannot express an opinion or have a desire that is not "on-stage or off-stage behavior" if you belong to one of these large corporate structures.

What book could this possibly derive from? None. The reality is here now. Shhh... careful what you say... because you're not paranoid...