RWJ Foundation awards $2.4M in IT grants

Five research teams have received grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to study the use of patient-recorded observations as a means to enhance care. The teams will test how personal health records and other IT can capture data to improve chronic disease care, in two-year demonstration projects. Among the grantees are Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, jointly; RTI International and Virginia Commonwealth University, jointly; and San Francisco State University. (ihealthbeat.com)

Panel recommends NPs, PAs serve as primary care providers

Reimbursement policies should allow physician assistants and nurse practitioners to function as primary care providers, according to a report from the Josiah Macy Foundation. The report was prepared by a panel whose members included representatives of various stakeholders including government, insurers, and medical associations. The report also recommended data sharing; global payments linked to patient complexity; and accountability for the provision of health care services, including preventive services, care coordination across settings and chronic disease management. (Modern Healthcare)

EHRs, data sharing help save lives

Electronic health information exchanges are positively affecting quality of care, according to a report issued this month by the Government Accountability Office. Of the four unidentified health information exchanges that the GAO reviewed (of 60 nationally), two reported that by coordinating information sharing, they improved early detection of disease outbreaks. In another example, a cardiologist was able to get an abnormal test result electronically to a patient a day earlier than otherwise. (Modern Healthcare)

Commentary: Don’t tinker; realign

Accountable care organizations show promise, but to work well, insurance companies must rethink their role as insurers of last resort. With much of the financial risk shifted in ACOs to providers, insurers no longer need their current level of financial reserves, enabling them to help finance and support the transition to this new business model. A successful shift of the health care system requires all parties’ collaboration. Government could serve as the facilitator. (Commentary by Dennis D. Keefe, chief executive of the Cambridge Health Alliance, in the Boston Globe)

PCMH offers personalized, continuous care, says AOA Board Member

In a video directed at patients, Karen J. Nichols, DO, a member of the American Osteopathic Association’s board, says the patient centered medical home offers patients a variety of benefits, including same-day appointments and coordinated care. Physicians whose practices are PCMHs generally have electronic medical records, longer office hours and don’t rush patients. Their offices “know who you are and why you’re there,” said Nichols, and they provide preventive, acute, chronic, and end-of-life care. (MedicalRag.com video)

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