Influenza PowerNote

As I lie here listlessly for the 5th day in a row, I am pleased to report that there is a PowerNote that would be useful to document my visit to a physician were I to have the energy to drag myself out. There are now Influenza PowerNote templates for office and hospital, pedi and adult.

As for me, no need for any diagnostic acumen. My 14 year old son had a positive rapid influenza A/B test last week and, given the reports across the country and that I received the seasonal flu vaccine well over a month ago, I'm stuck waiting for H1N1 to leave me the heck alone. Fortunately, the symptoms are low key enough to allow me to avoid an office visit or other CDC-derived suggestions elements you will find in the templates. However, a constant headache with low grade temp and myalgias have kept me supine 95% of my waking hours.

You could probably fly through a routine flu visit using this template. The diagnoses at the bottom actually populate the note with a SNOMED code, saving you a step in the finishing of a note.

And for those of you who wash your hands compulsively as I do when at work, don't play the fool and forget to do the same at home.

Worthwhile reading

For those of you who who are not familiar with David Pogue at NYT, he is a terrific blogger on personal technology. Peter Lindenauer pointed out yesterday's post to me. Pogue interviews David Blumenthal, the fed's health information czar. It's a worthwhile read.

Pogue Interviews Blumenthal

Pap Tests

If you didn't notice on the CIS announcement screen, effective this past Tuesday, 10/13/09 the much-needed Clinical History data will be included with the Cytology Pap Test results in CIS. This has been a major issue for those of us providing gynecological care.


As a related aside, we are pursuing the delivery of Pap and all other pathology test results to the Inbox as well. I anticipate this being accomplish in the next few weeks. In addition, we will soon be releasing all results ordered in the ambulatory setting to all ordering clinicians. Thus far, approximately 2/3 of all folks working in the outpatient world have requested electronic transmission of results. Based on this successful expansion of the EMR as well as to ensure the quality and safety of results delivery, we will be rolling out Results to Endorse to all BMP providers. Keep in mind that you will receive only those results that have been ordered from an ambulatory venue.

CIS Clinician Satisfaction Survey II

Since posting the survey data two weeks ago, I've had a chance to look more closely at the 100 or so pages of typed comments offered by the 250 or so respondents. While the numbers are very useful in order to get a general overview of satisfaction and EMR engagement, these comments are invaluable as we pursue a 100% paperless medical record.

Today, I am posting the survey results again, though this time with bulleted themes drawn from a replete set of texted sentiments. In truth, I've left out some of the more positive comments, primarily in order to give focus to where we, the informatics team, need to concentrate our efforts for improvement. Training and the spread of useful CIS knowledge has been and remains a high priority for us.

I truly appreciate the time and effort that you've put into providing these results, though more so for your willingness to persevere through this veritable culture change in medicine. With our continued collaborative work--among physicians, mid-level clinicians, ancillary staff and the awesome IS squad we are fortunate to have--I am certain that Baystate Health will remain a national leader in the creation of an EMR that promotes the safest and highest quality care for our patients.

CIS Clinician Satisfaction Survey Part 2

CIS Clinician Satisfaction Survey Results

Here is a first view of CIS Clinician Satisfaction Survey. Thanks to all of you who responded. The data captured here is incredibly meaningful and useful. I will likely post further details and commentary in response to requests, needs and calls for improvement.




SurveySummary_10012009