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More disconnect between tech and quality

In December, I lamented the fact that few healthcare technology types were anywhere to be found at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement‘s annual conference on healthcare quality. It occurred to me that there was a tremendous disconnect between those who focus on health information technology and those involved healthcare quality improvement.

On Friday, I received a brochure for the Quality Institute for Healthcare, sponsored by the American Society for Quality. Honestly, I had never heard of this organization before.

The program, Feb. 14-16 in New Orleans, looks interesting, with a keynote by well-known technology advocate Dr. Brent James of Intermountain Health Care in Salt Lake City.

The only problem is that the largest health IT show of the year, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society‘s annual conference, is going on the very same week in Dallas.

Technology and quality continue to operate in different orbits.

January 28, 2005 I Written By

I'm a freelance healthcare journalist, specializing in health IT, mobile health, healthcare quality fast $5000 loans-cash.net with bad credit, hospital/physician practice management and healthcare finance.

Fear and loathing in Minnesota?

On Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Health published a first-of-its-kind, statewide report on hospital errors.

Headlines out of the Twin Cities this week made it seem like it was shocking that 20 people died in Minnesota over a 15-month period as a result of preventable mistakes. Am I the only one surprised that the number was that low?

January 20, 2005 I Written By

I'm a freelance healthcare journalist, specializing in health IT, mobile health, healthcare quality fast $5000 loans-cash.net with bad credit, hospital/physician practice management and healthcare finance.

On the fly, back in two weeks

Happy new year.

As 2005 dawns, I am taking off tonight for two weeks in Spain and Senegal on a personal trip, thanks to the many frequent-flier miles I have accumulated over the past 4 years. It’s not definite yet, but I may get a chance to observe and/or tour some aspect of healthcare in Senegal, which is dealing with many of the serious health crises typical of West African nations.

I imagine that electronic medical records is far down on the list of priorities for a country still stricken with malaria, typhoid and yellow fever, not to mention HIV/AIDS. Of course, I’m just guessing. If I find out anything for sure, you will read about it here.

If you care to follow my journey, I’m keeping an online journal at http://neilontour.blogspot.com. Otherwise, I’ll be back on Jan. 17. I promise to update the links to conferences when I return.

January 2, 2005 I Written By

I'm a freelance healthcare journalist, specializing in health IT, mobile health, healthcare quality fast $5000 loans-cash.net with bad credit, hospital/physician practice management and healthcare finance.