EPtalk by Dr. Jayne 1/23/15

While everyone is waiting for the Meaningful Use Stage 3 shoe to drop, let’s not forget we are only eight months away from ICD-10. CMS announced that those organizations that participated in their January end-to-end testing event have already been registered for the upcoming testing week in April. If you missed out on the fun, you can volunteer through your Medicare Administrative Contractor. The chosen few will be announced by February 13. Don’t miss out on this exciting pre-Valentine’s Day gift — volunteer today!

CMS has also released an enhanced version of its Open Payments data search tool, allowing users to view summary information about physicians such as total dollar value of all payments and total transactions. I looked up a couple of friends and am wondering exactly what kind of “Informational Meal” one of them enjoyed for $2.68. I’m guessing that the colleague who enjoyed the $168.72 “food and beverage” line item might have had a better time.

I’m behind on email, but wanted to comment on the recent article in JAMA titled “Wearable Devices as Facilitators, Not Drivers, of Health Behavior Change.” I agree with its conclusion that having a device in and of itself isn’t going to change behavior, but putting strategies around use of the device could help reinforce behavior. They mention improving the design of feedback loops as a way to get wearers to continue, specifically lottery-based designs and the concept of “anticipated regret.”

As part of the annual conference this year, HIMSS is promoting the “HIMSS 15 Wellness Challenge.” Registrants can either purchase a Misfit Shine device or use their own. I was initially enthused and registered, but when presented with the fine print, had a case of actual regret. Winners will be announced at the Connected Patient Learning Gallery throughout the conference but must be actually present to win. I’m pretty sure by the end of each day I’m going to just want to put my feet up.

Usually I don’t read JAMA, but this week’s table of contents was a winner. They must be taking their headlines straight from the tabloids. For a moment I thought I was reading The Onion:

• The Implications of Marijuana Legalization in Colorado
• Improving Long-term Psychiatric Care: Bring Back the Asylum
• Navigating the Rise of High-Deductible Health Insurance: Childbirth in the Bronze Age
• Flamed on the Net

Because nothing says professional like addressing a c-level as “Hey %%FirstName%%”: I’m begging HIMSS to please engage some proofreaders. As many teachers have said over the years, “Hey [sic] is for horses.”

I’ve had a tremendous amount of feedback on Monday’s Curbside Consult. Based on some of the responses, it looks like the industry might be having a collective mid-life crisis. I haven’t had a chance to respond to everyone but appreciate your support. We always love hearing from readers, so keep the comments coming. I’ll share some of them in my next Curbside. Until then, I’ve got a hot date with a cup of cocoa, a handmade afghan, and some Netflix before I head back to the office.

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