Collaborative Intelligence & the EHR

Article on the strengths and weaknesses of the EHR.

LINK:
Collaborative Intelligence & the EHR (Source: ADVANCE for Health Information Professionals)

MedicalMnemonics .com: Database of Medical Mnemonics

Mnemonics are memory tools. Remember Roy G. Biv from elementary science class?

The site MedicalMnemonics.com offers a collection of these little memory aids for those in the medical field.

For example, from the database:

Osteoblasts build bones
Osteoclasts consume bones

The site is searchable or has a directory for browsing. If you have a particularly handy memory tool you'd like to share, there's an option to add it to the database as well.

With essentially no graphics or ads, the site loads quickly and allows you to navigate to the information you need almost instantly. I wouldn't say there is a huge database of information, but perhaps you'll find one to help you master a concept you're struggling to remember.

LINK:
World's Database of Medical Mnemonics (Source: MedicalMnemonics.com)

Interactive Learning: Superficial Skeletal Muscles

"Superficial Skeletal Muscles" is one of the learning objects on the Wisc-Online website. These tools were developed mainly by Wisconsin Technical College System faculty members and are free to access/use as long as one abides by the terms and conditions, of course. :)

The Superficial Skeletal Muscles module is an interactive learning tool that allows the user to click on the name of a muscle, which generates a list of muscle actions performed by that muscle and also shows the location of the muscle in question.

A quiz is available where the student can identify muscles based on their actions.

The Wisc-Online site has quite a large number of learning objects available. There are 62 objects available within the Anatomy and Physiology I and II sections, including: the neuromuscular juntion, autonomic nervous system, classification of joints, body regions, body cavities, vertebral column, and more.

There are also learning modules available in other subject areas as well, such as math, economics, chemistry, sociology, pyschology, and many other topics.

Superficial Skeletal Muscles (Source: Wisc-Online)

Five Strategies for Balancing School and Work

Going back to school? If so, you will likely enjoy this article from ADVANCE for Health Information Professionals - at least I know I did.

As a single parent, going back to school and trying to balance family, work, and classwork is no doubt difficult - but not impossible. Being 'mom' is the most important role I play, but - at least so far! - I have been able to add the role of returning college student (of course in addition to my role as an employee).

I can definitely relate to the issues addressed in the article and as I have moved through life, I find one assertion in the article especially true based on my own experience: anything is possible...everything usually isn't. Priorities have to be assessed and decisions must be made. With effort and focus, though, I believe one can strike a balance between family, work, and school - especially since I believe it's often the case that the three are interrelated. Many of us return to school in order to advance our careers with the ultimate goal of improving things for our family.

You can access the full article via the link below:

Five Strategies for Balancing School and Work (Source: ADVANCE for Health Information Professionals)

AMA Delegates Balk at ICD-10 Implementation

AMA Delegates Balk at ICD-10 Implementation (Source: General Surgery News)

A GEM in the Rough

Press release on GEMStool, a demo version of a General Equivalence Mappings/crosswalk application accessible on MedLearn's website:

Dennis Flint: A GEM in the Rough (Source: San Francisco Gate)

Medical Terminology Spotlight: Polydipsia

Polydipsia

poly much/many | dipsia thirst


Polydipsia is a condition of excessive thirst. It may be the result of an obvious cause - such as eating very spicy or salty foods or excessive sweating after vigorous exercise - or it may signal something more serious, since abnormal thirst can be a symptom of diabetes. Polydipsia can also result from psychological issues.


Reference:


New York Times Health Guide http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/symptoms/thirst-excessive/overview.html

Technology and the Human Connection: A Delicate Balancing Act

Article that explores use of technology v. overuse of technology:

Technology and the Human Connection: A Delicate Balancing Act (Source: Becker's Orthopedic, Spine, and Pain Mangement Review)

Q&A: Alert fatigue is one of CDS' shortcomings

Most people who have used the internet for any significant amount of time can readily identify with "alert fatigue". In some internet marketing circles, you may hear the terms "banner ad blindness" or "pop-up" fatigue, which are similar in concept. Once a user is bombarded by devices designed to capture their attention for a long enough period of time, the opposite effect can tend to occur: the viewer ignores the banner, pop-up - or, in the case of the article linked below, the alert box.

Stop for a moment and see if you really *noticed* any of the ads on this page or if you simply have learned to screen them out.

Apparently the same phenonmenon can occur with clinical decision support systems in the form of 'alert fatigue', as the article linked below points out.

I can easily see this being an issue. One the software programs I work with regularly (unrelated to CDS) has so many alerts that it's easy to become 'blind' to them - especially since some of them are related to non-essential issues. It's like the electronic version of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"...after one has been subjected to numerous alerts that may been subjectively judged to be relatively unimportant, the person may begin to pay them little (or no) heed.

Full article found at the link below:

Q&A: Alert fatigue is one of CDS' shortcomings (Source: CMIO)

Unreliable info causes provider skepticism of e-prescribing

Article on potential issues associated with e-prescribing:

Unreliable info causes provider skepticism of e-prescribing (Source: FierceHealthIT)

Online Games - Medical Terminology

OK, so I admit I am a little addicted to some online games and although this one isn't nearly as fun as Words with Friends or Scramble (sorry, I'm not an Angry Birds fan), it is a somewhat entertaining way to get a bit of med term practice.

Sheppard Software has a Medical Terminology vocabulary game that is aimed at casual/younger users, but can provide some med term practice if you need to brush up on the basics or just want a temporary diversion that at least offers some educational value.

There is apparently a downloadable version of the game, but I played the online game which generates a 20 question multiple choice quiz from a pool of 340 possible questions and is ad-free as a bonus. You're advised whether or not your answer is correct as you proceed and each question has a short fact/blurb related to the question. At the end of the quiz you are presented with your score, percentage, and a 'review' with correct answers to any questions you may have missed.

Again, it's likely not going to help you pass your med term class, but it may help you pass the time if you're bored - and at least it's a time-killer that affords some educational benefit. :)

Online Games - Medical Terminology (Source: Sheppard Software)

10 Ways ICD-10 Will Improve Quality of Care

Love this article by Cheryl Clark regarding the positives (or potential positives) that ICD-10 will bring.

With all the negative coverage, it's nice to see someone highlight the benefits ICD-10 implementation could bring patients and providers.

Full article here:

10 Ways ICD-10 Will Improve Quality of Care

(Source: HealthLeaders Media)

ICD10news: Learning and Using ICD-10-PCS

Post from my ICD10News.com site regarding coding procedures using ICD-10-PCS:

ICD10news: Learning and Using ICD-10-PCS

6 most in-demand skills for HIT professionals in 2012 | Healthcare IT News

Article detailing potential sought-after health IT skills for 2012:

6 most in-demand skills for HIT professionals in 2012 | Healthcare IT News

6 Golden Rules of EMR Implementation

Excellent points made by Michelle McNickel in her article "6 Golden Rules of EMR Implementation".

With the push toward EHR/EMR, I think she makes a very valid point in that an EMR isn't a panacea - and in fact can actually magnify existing workflow issues.

Read the entire article here:

6 Golden Rules of EMR Implementation

What's Your Favorite ICD-10 Resource?

Do you have a favorite ICD-10 resource? Is there a site you frequently visit for the latest information? Or, do you operate a site that features great information on coding or ICD-10?

Post a comment and you may see your suggestion reviewed in a future post. I am looking for the best ICD-10 resources to share with my visitors!

Looking forward to your comments...

5 Steps To Electronic Health Record Meaningful Use

InformationWeek's article highlights the online EHR transition tool offered on the HealthIT.gov website.

Read the full article here:

LINK: InformationWeek's: 5 Steps To Electronic Health Record Meaningful Use

Coding V40.31; New ICD-9-CM Code Related to Wandering

HIM Connection's Q&A for January 3, 2012 addresses the new code V40.31 - wandering in diseases classified elsewhere - which was introduced in October of 2011.

LINK: Q&A: Reporting new ICD-9-CM code V40.31

Additional information regarding the code can be found at the CDC website in the Autism Spectrum Disorders section:

LINK: ICD-9-CM Code for Wandering

Coding Continuous Invasive Mechanical Ventilation

In the January 2012 CodeWrite issue, Judy A. Bielby discusses coding continuous invasive mechanical ventilation in ICD-9-CM. Includes instructions on how to calculate hours to determine whether to assign code 96.71 or 96.72, how to calculate hours when an intubated patient is admitted, and information regarding tracheostomies which may affect assignment of the code.

LINK: Mechanical Ventilator – How Do I Code Thee? Let Me Count the Hours (Not Days)

Coding Careers

Aviacode's website states that they have remote coding positions available for those with AHIMA or AAPC credentials who have a minimum of three years' experience.

More details can be found at the link below:

LINK: Coding Careers at Aviacode

Work for Medical Coding Services

Medical Coding Services advertises remote coding positions for those who are credentialed with 3+ years of inpatient coding experience.

Visit the link below for additional information.

LINK: Medical Coding Services

Remote Coding Jobs and Career Opportunities at In Record Time

Visit the link below to access In Record Time's Career Opportunities page.

LINK: Career Opportunities at In Record Time

ICD-10-CM: Chapter 13 Tidbit

Quick synopsis of the added specificity of ICD-10-CM in regard to the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue section.


ICD-10-CM chapter 13 codes require site, laterality | ICD-10 Trainer

Social vs. Professional Networking Sites

If there's one thing I've heard repeatedly since beginning my studies in health information management, it's the fact that networking plays a very significant role in securing a job in the field.

Quite obviously, education, talent, and credentials are extremely important, but breaking into the field initially may - at least in some part - be due to who you know, what organizations you're involved with, what volunteer activities you are participating in, etc.

The article by EJ Fachenda linked below gives a quick overview of use of social networking sites (such as Facebook) v. professional networking sites (LinkedIn, for example).

LINK: Social vs. Professional Networking Sites | Healthcare IT News

Medical Terminology Spotlight: Atelectasis

Atelectasis
a not, no, without | tel complete | -ectasis dilation, widening, expansion

Atelectasis is a partial or complete collapse of the lung rendering the lung incapable of full expansion. It can be either obstructive (resulting from a blockage in the bronchial tubes) or can result from non-obstructive causes, such as tumors, injury, or pneumonia, among others.

References:

Mayo Clinic. (2010, March 19). Atelectasis. MayoClinic.com Health Information. Retrieved January 1, 2012, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/atelectasis/DS01170

Sharma, S. (2011, May 27). Lobar Atelectasis Imaging. Medscape Reference. WebMD. Retrieved January 1, 2012, from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/353833-overview

Medical Transcription Jobs

MJobs.com is a job search site devoted to medical transcription (and related services).

It's free to search jobs and/or post your resume.

LINK: MTJobs.com