Please understand that I am not happy about the existence of Ebola, but it has brought more awareness and debate to several important health care issues in the U.S. Here are my top five: Ebola has brought attention to workflow and EHR. The initial reports that critical information did not flow from the registration/triage desk…
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Ebola, Ignorance, Stupidity
The cases of Ebola in the U.S. have brought a sharp focus onto a recurrent and enduring problem in our country – one that has plagued all industries, but now brings a sharp focus onto health care. The problem is error reduction. The initial blame placed on the second Ebola infected nurse, who flew a…
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The Unintended Consequences of Today’s Health Delivery Model
Efforts in the name of efficiency and cost reduction have unintended consequences. When I was in practice, I admitted, or at least followed, all my patients in the hospital. There were no issues of aftercare, because I discharged them with appointments to see me within a day or two (rarely more). I knew what medications…
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Health Information Exchange-a 21st Century Upgrade Opinion
Not long ago, I injured my knee and discovered something else in the process: a severe sprain in the medical information system. Here’s the story: The emergency room took X-rays and an MRI and referred me to an orthopedist. He reviewed the tests and sent me to a specialist. But my specialist—an expert in his field—suddenly…
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