Comments on: Monday Morning Update 9/29/08

By: Robert@PNG

Robert@PNG — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 08:50:42 +0000

Hi,

Thanks for the plug on the 29/9/08.

I am curious what the HIMSS podium might be? If it means I get to stand up in front of an audience (with fat cheque books) and sprook about the benefit of Open Source in PNG Hospitals – then count me in!!

As they say around here… em tasol!

By: MountainMan

MountainMan — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:01:25 +0000

CHIME is the solution to HIMSS

By: Leah Binder

Leah Binder — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:00:22 +0000

You are correct that The Leapfrog Group reduced the number of hospitals awarded “Top Hospital” designation this year. That’s because this year for the first time we required Top Hospitals to have adopted CPOE, and additionally that they test the effectiveness of their CPOE system in picking up medication errors. To help them do this, the Leapfrog Hospital Survey 2008 includes the first-ever CPOE evaluation tool–a pioneering move in the world of healthcare IT. Hospitals run through a series of simulated orders, and Leapfrog offers a score on how well the hospital did. Unfortunately, despite significant evidence that effectively deployed CPOE systems reduce medication errors anywhere from 50% to 85%, less than 8% of hospitals nationally have adopted CPOE. The public at large and the employer purchasers we represent have a right to expect hospitals to enter the 21st century and reduce medication errors. Top Hospitals awards will be reserved for those who do.

You also make a side comment about the size of the Leapfrog membership having something to do with the influence of our survey. This is a common misunderstanding about how Leapfrog’s work is structured. Most of the employers that work with hospitals to advance use of the Leapfrog survey are not members of Leapfrog in Washington, DC, but members of regional business coalitions on health in one of the 48 states participating in Leapfrog’s Regional Roll-Outs. These coalitions engage over 3000 businesses at the local level to encourage participation in the Leapfrog Survey and drive employees toward high-performing hospitals.

I would be glad to talk with you to clarify or discuss any of these issues.

Leah Binder
CEO
The Leapfrog Group

By: GT

GT — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:07:50 +0000

Over the years, HIMSS has really become a venue for vendors to view each other, netword, trade (or steal) competitive brochures, and a great place for sales personnel to look for jobs. At one time, it was “Must” show to attend. If you weren’t there, you were automatically considered to be closing your doors. This is no longer the case. Vendors are spending their marketing dollars much more wisely.

By: freddie

freddie — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 21:02:45 +0000

agree with smalltowncio. John was a good dude and Steve is all about making money. The educational part of HIMSS used to be pretty decent. Now the hole conference is a horror show for sellers and buyers.