Spring 2017
THE
HEALTHCARE FINANCIAL PARTNER OF NEVADA
FEATURES
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President’s Message David Schweer, FACHE
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Event Encore
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Event Calendar
6. Healthcare IT Spending on the Rise 10. Mitigating Risk – Five Key Areas of Focus
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THE
HEALTHCARE FINANCIAL PARTNER OF NEVADA
Editor-in-Chief
Dana Lujan
Board of Directors
Contributing Editor
Marc Armstrong
Christine J. Carafelli Summerlin Hospital Med Ctr.
Contributing Writers
Brian Kee Jeremy Wale
Tiffanie Fleming UMC of Southern Nevada
Advertising/Subscriptions
nvhfma@gmail.com
Felipe S. Danglapin, MSA, PAHM Teachers Health Trust
Questions and Comments
nvhfma@gmail.com
Osmin A. Hernandez KPMG LLP Dana Y. Lujan, MBA DYL Consulting Group
Board Chapter Officers President
David J. Schweer, FACHE Dignity Health Central CA Service Area
President-Elect
Marcus A. Armstrong, FHFMA Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield
Vice President
R. Keenan Underwood Kindred Healthcare Inc.
Secretary
Joe Herman Fallon Paiute Shoshone Comm HC
Treasurer
Lawrence M. Preston, MBA, FHFMA Professional Medical Consultants, Inc
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President’s Message
Thanks for being part of the HFMA Nevada Chapter. We are having a great year and have a lot happening this spring Join us for upcoming education and networking events! Please see our list of upcoming events at www.hfma-nv.org in both Northern and Southern Nevada. We have several new innovative events planned including our Women’s Leadership Breakfast on March 8th and our Diversity and Inclusion Summit on April 28th. We also continue to do the popular Meet the CEO Series and other events. Our 5th Annual Joint Association Charity Golf Tournament is on May 6th at the Red Rock County Club – Arroyo Course. 100% of the proceeds of this popular event go to Nation of Patriots which gives 100% of the funds to local wounded service members and veterans. Registration information is forthcoming. The 10th Annual Nevada Health Care Forum is scheduled for Oct. 10th. HFMA’s Annual National Institute is in Orlando, FL from June 25-28. Region 11 joined with Region 10 for an expanded Western Region Symposium
back in Las Vegas this year. It will be at the Paris Hotel next year in January. Please mark your calendar for all these events and plan on attending. Please also take advantage of other HFMA regional and national education events and webinars. Go to www.hfma.org for more info. Member Get a Member Campaign We need your help! Please spread the word. Members who recruit another member (as indicated by that member when they apply) can receive $50 in credit towards an upcoming educational event or a $50 gift card. Members who recruit five members will receive their membership for free. Thanks for helping us meet our membership goal and share the benefits of HFMA> Now is the time to get certified! Limited number of chapter group purchase slots available. In case you have not heard, HFMA has revamped its certification program to become a Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP), which is a key requirement in becoming a Fellow in HFMA (FHFMA). The exam has been replaced by a 4
two part self-study program with exam and case study, which includes retake options. To help members get certified and reduce the cost burden, the Chapter is doing a bulk discount purchase of the first part of the study program. In order to participate, you must successfully complete part one and its exam, and then also complete part two and its case study on your own. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Pete Sabal, our Certification Chair, at peter.sabal@anthem.com. HFMA also offers a number of specialty certifications including revenue cycle, managed care, practice management, business intelligence, and accounting & finance. For more info, go to www.hfma.org and see the certification links under education. Volunteer We are close to finalizing our nominations and board and officer slate for the next fiscal year. Please let us know if you would like to get involved with the chapter. Contact Marc Armstrong, our President Elect, at marcus.armstrong@anthem.com Get more from HFMA
Take advantage of all that HFMA has to offer. From education programs including virtual conferences and webinars to online resources and the hfm magazine, HFMA has resources to help you face the challenges of our industry. HFMA also has career resources and the HFMA Job Bank with current openings regionally and nationally. Support our sponsors We have a number of vendors who help sponsor the Nevada Chapter so that we can do all the things we do. Please see their ads and consider them for services that your organization may need. Share your ideas Please feel free to reach out to me or others on the board to share your ideas or concerns. You can reach me at david.schweer@dignityhealth.org or dschweer@charter.net or Marc Armstrong, our President Elect, at marcus.armstrong@anthem.com. I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming chapter event. Dave David Schweer, FACHE President HFMA – Nevada Chapter
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Healthcare IT Spending on the Rise
By: Brian Kee, First American Healthcare Finance of 900+ projects, top IT investments fell into four buckets: • Infrastructure to run operations and keep data safe with server, software, and wireless infrastructure upgrades. • Communication to make verbal and digital flow of information more efficient, using tablets, iPhone, nurse call systems, EMR upgrades, and telehealth. • Patient monitoring devices to boost preventative care using heart failure prevention devices (necklaces, wristbands, and watches), nutrition tracking devices and apps, and food scanners. • Revenue generating items such as da Vinci robots, hybrid operating rooms, cuttingedge ultrasound and imaging equipment, artificial intelligence in robots, and 3D bio-printing. In the past, technology in healthcare organizations meant a handful of computers, some digital monitoring equipment, and a few
Survey finds top drivers of healthcare IT investment are improving patient experience and engagement In an era of digital natives, new technological solutions to healthcare challenges appear almost daily. Not surprisingly, two-thirds of hospitals report increased tech budgets for this fiscal year. Additionally, over a quarter of hospitals have seen more than a 5 percent increase. A recent survey* by First American Healthcare Finance, in partnership with the American Hospital Association, identified this rise in budgeting for hospital and health system information technology. Where Are Healthcare Organizations Investing? With endless possibilities, where are providers investing IT? In 2016, First American met with over 700 unique healthcare organizations to learn about their top investment priorities. Out
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pieces of imaging equipment. In today’s healthcare environment, technology has never been more aligned with every aspect of the patient experience. Additionally, as physicians utilize these devices, it is more important organizations invest in them. Also, every organization has an EMR system and diagnostic results are shared via mobile devises, many times through cloud computing networks. With this shift in the use of technology, providers must also focus on appropriate security measures to ensure the data they are collecting is safe.
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Are our current systems robust enough to keep data safe? Alternatively, routine questions should be asked about old technology to make sure equipment does not become obsolete. Examples of questions to ask about old technology would be: • What is the recommended useful life? • Does the old technology sync with the new? • Are there gaps in the technology that make data vulnerable to attacks? • Would new technology create efficiencies that old technology cannot match? As technology factors more and more into patient care and satisfaction, it is important to stay informed of changes by using peer organizations to find new best practices and receiving guidance from industry associations and key partners.
Randy McCleese, CIO at St. Claire Regional Medical Center and former member of the CHIME Board of Trustees describes how technology is impacting every aspect of healthcare, not just the IT department. “Medical equipment is a huge issue for us. In healthcare, we tend to keep pieces of medical equipment for a number of years, sometimes even until it is 1520 years old. When the equipment was manufactured, the security requirements for that piece of equipment were so different than security requirements today. We must pay attention to devices that are connected to the network and how much data they can share across that network into our EMR. That falls into the security because we have to make sure that they are secure and the data flowing from them are secure, so we don't have ransomware getting into those devices.”
*To read a report on the full survey results, visit: http://fahf.com/hit_survey About First American Healthcare Finance: First American Healthcare Finance provides leasing and financing solutions for medical and technology equipment, software, expansions, renovations, and services. First American is the equipment financing arm of City National Bank, and on November 2nd, 2015, City National merged with Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and continues as an independent bank within the RBC family of companies. First American Healthcare Finance is also the first equipment financing service to simultaneously achieve the HFMA Peer Reviewed designation and the AHA exclusive endorsement.
As healthcare organizations invest in new technology, they should consider the overall impact of the equipment to the organization, staff, and patients. Examples of some questions to ask are: • Will additional training for staff be needed? • What data will be stored on the device? • Does the equipment sync with current systems or will additional software be needed? • Do patients have access to the data? ◦ If so, full access or partial?
For more information on Healthcare Financing, contact financing@fahf.com.
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Pacific Conferencing Security Conferences-Las Vegas Chris Papesh, CEO Pacific Conferencing 8398 Belmont Valley Street, Las Vegas, NV 89123 Cell: (702) 339-6077 Chris.papesh@pacificconferencing.com www.pacificconferencing.com
Kimberly George, Director Business Development Northwest Region 117 East Louisa St. # 483 Seattle, WA 98102 Office: (615) 447-2059 Cell: (206) 747-1811 Fax: (615) 265-2863 kgeorge@xtendhealthcare.netwww.xtendhealthcare.net
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VISIT US ONLINE
Choose professional liability insurance from a company healthcare professionals have relied on for decades. ProAssurance treats you fairly, making it easier to navigate today’s changing healthcare environment—with single-source coverage that meets your unique needs. We make insurance simpler. ProAssurance Group is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best. Steve Lempp, Market Manager Main: (800) 282-6242 slempp@proassurance.com www.proassurance.com
HFMA-NV.ORG
Rik Lewis, VP, Health Information Management Sales 15 South Grady Way, Ste. 522 Renton, WA 98057 Direct: (425) 830-4262 rlewis@hrgpros.com www.hrgpros.com
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Mitigating Risk— Five Key Areas of Focus By: Jeremy Wale
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Healthcare liability insurers cannot tell physicians or midlevel providers how to better practice medicine or avoid surgical mistakes— but can offer guidance that can help you mitigate risk. Here are five key areas to focus on that can help protect your practice. Use Technology with Caution Healthcare looks very different than it did 25 years ago. Physicians are using tablets, smartphones, interactive apps, and other electronic means to provide efficient healthcare to patients. According to several sources, between 75 and 85 percent of physicians use a smartphone or tablet for professional purposes.1 Uses include email, research, EMR entry, x-ray review, telehealth, and more. While electronic devices have many benefits, their use presents new risks. Chief among these risk exposures is the increased possibility of a HIPAA violation. While a HIPAA violation is not the same as a malpractice claim, it can still negatively impact you and your practice, staff, and patients. HIPAA concerns arise in several areas of electronic device use. Losing a device may allow an individual access to protected health information (PHI) stored on the device. If the device is not properly encrypted or secured, an
individual may access PHI through apps, email, or hacking into a system using the device’s connectivity. Another risk arising from mobile electronic devices involves app usage. There are approximately 26,000 healthcare apps available, and 7,400 of those apps are marketed to physicians.i Somewhat surprisingly, the FDA has only approved 10 healthcare apps as of July 26, 2016.ii One physician wrote about a blood pressure app he was using that gave inaccurate readings. When he contacted the app’s developer, he was told the app was in the “beta-testing stage” and intended for “entertainment purposes only.” Despite this information, the developer was selling the app to endusers—without any disclaimers or mention of its test status.iii Healthcare providers need to be vigilant when deciding whether to use certain apps. Research the app’s usage and do preliminary testing to ensure its accuracy. Use the app, then verify the results with traditional testing until the physician is satisfied the app’s results are accurate. Another suggestion is to contact the app’s developer and request testing/clinical trial results on its accuracy. Use of smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc., in healthcare becomes more main stream every day. Be sure you are proactive in mitigating the accompanying risks. You may need to contact an IT security specialist to help ensure you are managing potential risks as effectively as possible. Track and Follow up on Your Tests Missed or delayed diagnosis is one of the most often litigated allegations in medical malpractice.iv These claims often result from tracking and follow-up procedure failures.
1 “Mobile Officially a Staple in the Doctor’s Office,” March 26, 2015, <http://www.emarketer.com/Article/ Mobile-Officially-Staple-DoctorsOffice/1012271>, “Professional usage of smartphones by doctors in 2015,” October 27, 2015, <http://www.kantarmedia.com/us/th inking-andresources/blog/professional-usageof-smartphones-by-doctors-in-2015>,
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Lab testing is one of three key areas (the others are referrals to specialists and missed/canceled appointments) where tracking and follow-up are vitally important. A retrospective study researched the frequency of patients not being informed of test results, concluding there was a 7.1 percent failure rate.v Tracking and follow-up procedural safeguards can be implemented and have a large impact on potential liability claims. A reliable test tracking and follow-up system ensures the following steps occur: 1. The test is performed. 2. The results are reported to the practice. 3. The results are made available to the ordering physician for review and sign-off. 4. The results are communicated to the patient. 5. The results are properly filed in the patient’s chart. 6. The results are acted upon when necessary.
Here are some suggestions for improving your process: • Route all test results to the ordering physician for review. Procedures to ensure the ordering physician receives each and every test result can help lessen the risk of a result “falling through the cracks.” Something as simple as a log book or email notification can help facilitate physician review. • Ask the ordering physician to review and sign off on each ordered test result. Physicians order lab tests for specific reasons; physicians are encouraged to sign or initial each test result following review. • Notify your patients. Several practices notify patients only when there is an abnormal result. Some practices choose to send a letter for normal results and call the patient for abnormal results. Others call patients with all results. In today’s technologydriven world, an email may be appropriate for normal results, or an email directing patients to a portal where results can be reviewed. Patient notification of all test results is advised— however your practice chooses to do so. Ensuring all tests ordered by your physicians are handled a consistent manner will help avoid tracking and follow-up errors.
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Set and Review Policies and Procedures A policy and procedure manual is an important tool for defining practice operations. In well-run practices, there is one set of rules every staff member understands and follows. The alternative is risky—procedures that vary from physician to physician or between staff members make it easy for errors or omissions to occur. Develop a comprehensive manual of specific policies and procedures that explains how tasks are performed in your office, and make it readily available to all staff. It’s important for staff to review and initial that they have read and are aware of these policies and procedures. The following is a list of suggested topics to address in your policies and procedures manual: 1. Clinical Protocols/Patient Care 2. Patient Relations and Confidentiality 3. Health Information Management (Medical Records) 4. Laboratory (Test Tracking and Follow-up) 5. Radiology 6. Appointment Scheduling 7. Patient Tracking and Follow-up 8. Infection Control 9. Human Resources 10. Practice Operations 11. Special Procedures 12. Safety
A medical record is crucial to the defensibility of a case; occasionally it can be the biggest hurdle. The primary purpose of a medical record is to provide a complete and accurate description of the patient’s medical history. This includes medical conditions, diagnoses, the care and treatment you provide, and results of such treatments. A welldocumented medical record reflects all clinically relevant aspects of the patient’s health and serves as an effective communication vehicle. The medical record also has a critical secondary function: it is the most important piece of evidence in the successful defense of a medical professional liability claim. On average, a medical malpractice lawsuit takes five years to resolve.vi Most physicians cannot recall specific patient encounters from several years ago—so it is important to have accurate, thorough, and timely documentation of all your patient encounters. Good medical record documentation may help prevent a lawsuit. Your defense team may be able to disprove a patient’s assertions if the physician has thoroughly and accurately documented the patient encounter. Good medical record documentation includes, but is not limited to, the following elements: 1. Legible – If your handwriting is not legible, consider dictating your notes. 2. Timely – Most electronic medical record systems document the date and time of all entries. If you still use paper records, note the date and time of each entry, with an accompanying signature or initial. It is best to chart patient
You may need to add or subtract certain topics to best address the specific areas of your practice. Maintain Accurate Medical Records
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3.
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encounters either contemporaneously or shortly after the visit for more accurate and thorough documentation. Accurate – Ensure your documentation accurately reflects what occurred during a patient encounter. Chronological – Documentation is more easily understood when it is sequential by date and logical in process. The SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) format, or something similar, is suggested when documenting patient encounters. A logical, clear thought process is compelling evidence to present to a jury. Thorough – The old adage “if it’s not documented, it didn’t happen” still applies today. It is challenging to show something happened if there is no documentation to support that assertion. Specific and objective – Make documentation as specific as possible (e.g. using actual measurements rather than descriptors such as “small” or “large” in size).
To properly correct a written chart, strike a single line through incorrect information, leaving it readable. Then make the correction or addition as needed. Be sure to authenticate the change with a time and date, along with your initials or signature. In the event of litigation, be prepared to be questioned about any changes made to the patient’s chart—especially if they occurred after the incident in question or suit was filed. Follow the same authentication principles in electronic records; consider using a “strikethrough” function rather than deleting information. Making any corrections or additions to a medical record after a claim or lawsuit has been filed—or after receiving notice a claim or lawsuit may be filed—is strongly discouraged. These actions will likely be viewed as self-serving and could severely undermine your defense.
Additions, corrections, or addendums may be pertinent in certain situations, but altering a medical record is strongly discouraged. It will destroy your credibility in the eyes of a jury and cast doubt on the legitimacy of the entire chart. Alterations include modifying accurate information for fraudulent or self-serving reasons.
Keep Your Team Trained and Informed
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Office staff is a critical component of a medical practice. Patients often have more interaction with staff than physicians. Properly trained and educated staff can be strong protection against a professional liability claim. Consider the following risk tips for office staff issues: • Prepare written job descriptions for all staff. Review each staff member’s job description at his or her annual performance evaluation to determine whether the description accurately reflects the individual’s responsibilities and capabilities. • Ensure each staff member works within the boundaries of state laws regarding appropriate job functions. • Provide clear instructions to your staff on the amount and type of advice they may relay to patients and limitations on such advice. • Establish a formal orientation period for new employees. Include a review of administrative practices, emergency medical procedures, and clinical skills and responsibilities. • Establish procedures to ensure professional staff are credentialed. • Educate all employees on patient confidentiality and have them
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While the risk of a medical malpractice claim can never be eliminated, the information provided herein will help you reduce your practice’s risk of a claim. If you have a specific question regarding your practice, please contact an attorney. About the Author-Jeremy Wale Mr. Wale is a licensed attorney in Michigan where he works as a Risk Resource Advisor for ProAssurance. He has authored numerous articles about mitigating medical professional liability risk. Mr. Wale also conducts loss prevention seminars to educate physicians about new and emerging risks. *References listed on Pg. 19.
sign a confidentiality agreement annually. Document employee training, including clinical competency, credentialing, performance evaluations, and annual reviews in employees’ personnel files. Conduct regular staff meetings with designated agendas. Provide frequent feedback (both positive and negative) to staff. Ensure tasks are delegated to staff with the appropriate education, training, and experience to perform the task.
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EVENT ENCORE
Healthcare Forum Holiday Mixer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Las Vegas -December 8th, 2016
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EVENT ENCORE Healthcare Forum Holiday Mixer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Reno -December 14th, 2016
Toy Drop Off For Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation -December 2016
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To include 3 hours of ACHE Face-to-Face Credit (pending approval) Location subject to changeâ&#x20AC;Ś. University Medical Center Emerald Rooms 901 Rancho Lane Las Vegas NV 89106 May 2, 4:30-6:30 / TBD, UNLV Health Care Administration Student Association Career Night UNLV Student Union Ballrooms B & C 4505 S Maryland Pkwy Las Vegas, NV 89154 To register, go to: https://goo.gl/forms/PQm20feF09BqDqFD2 Please have a table showing opportunities with your company - Contact Jeffrey Wan at jeffreyw26@gmail.com for more info. May 6, Nevada Health Care Forum Joint Association Charity Golf Tournament (Las Vegas) In conjunction with the Southern Nevada Harley Davidson Owners 100% of funds benefit the Nations of Patriots Fund and go to local wounded active duty military members and their families
March 8, 7:30-9:30, Leading Change....By Changing the Way You Lead! Women in Healthcare Leadership Breakfast (Las Vegas) Leading changeâ&#x20AC;Śby changing the way you lead University Medical Center Emerald Rooms 901 Rancho Lane Las Vegas NV 89106
Red Rock Country Club - Arroyo Course 2250-A Red Spring Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89135 Stay tuned for more information. www.nevadahealthcareforum.com
Registration & Breakfast: 7:30-8:00AM, Program: 8:00-9:00AM, Q&A 9:00-9:30AM To register, please go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/womens-leadershipbreakfast-leading-changeby-changing-the-way-youlead-tickets-31667902549
October 10 (Tentative), 10th Annual Nevada Health Care Forum Stay tuned for more information.
April 20, 7:00-6:00 Back to the Basics - For the Future (Reno) MGMA Annual State Conference / Northern Nevada Forum Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno Downtown Ballroom 401 N. Center St. Reno, NV 89501 To register and for more info, go to: www.mgmanv.org April 28, 9:00-12:00, Diversity and Inclusion in Nevada (Las Vegas)
www.nevadahealthcareforum.com
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i Sher, D, MD, “The big problem with mobile health
apps,” March 4, 2015, <http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/840335 October 13, 2016. ii “Mobile medicine resources: FDA approved apps,” July 26, 2016, <http://beckerguides.wustl.edu/c.php?g=299564&p= 2000997 October 13, 2016. iii Sher, D, MD, op. cit. iv “PIAA Closed Claims Comparative: A comprehensive analysis of medical professional liability data reported to the PIAA Data Sharing Project,” 2015 Edition. v Casalino, L.P., et al., “Frequency of Failure to Inform Patients of Clinically Significant Outpatient Test Results.” Archives of Internal Medicine 169 (2009): 1123-9. vi Suszek A., “How long will it take to settle your medical malpractice case?” <http://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/medicalmalpractice/how-long-settle.html October 31, 2016.
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