Featured Report: The Question Your Doctor Should Be Asking You — but Isn’t

Fierce Health IT

Survey: Consumer health tech adoption remains low

Dec,22,2014

by: Katie Dvorak

Use of technology to manage healthcare still remains low for consumers, but many of them view devices and apps in a positive light, according to a new survey from consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton and research practice Ipsos Public Affairs. For instance, while seven in 10 respondents said they owned a smartphone or tablet, only two in 10 indicated that they used the devices to monitor or manage their health. The older the consumer and the greater their income, the more likely they are to use technology to keep track of their health, according to the report. One of the reasons for low adoption of tech to manage care is security and privacy concerns, according to the report. Because of that, providers must offer secure tools to entice their patients to use them, the authors said.  Read More

Modern Healthcare

What's in your wallet? 'Big data' wants to tell doctors and health plans

Dec,20,2014

by:  Carol Levine

Does privacy still matter? According to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, privacy is no longer a “social norm.” But a recent report from the Pew Research Center found that Americans are indeed concerned about their privacy. More than half (55%) of survey respondents said that the “state of your health and the medications you take” was “very sensitive” information, second only to Social Security numbers. Fewer people considered information about their relationship history (40%), religious or spiritual views (22%), or political views (20%) as very sensitive. At the bottom of the list, only 8% considered “basic purchasing habits” very sensitive. Read More

Time 

The Question Your Doctor Should Be Asking You — but Isn’t

Dec,29,2014

by: Mandy Oaklander

The last time you went to the doctor, were you asked how much soda you drink? Probably not, but at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, it’s now among the standard questions doctors will ask—and then log into the patient’s electronic health record. Those records, analyzed in a new study, reveal some interesting connections between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and a slew of health problems. Read More

Politico Pro

High noon for federal health records program?

Dec,28,2014

by: ARTHUR ALLEN

Vast spending, frustrating software, angry doctors facing a punch in the wallet — and a hungry new Congress. It could add up to a powerful threat to the Obama administration’s $30 billion program to digitize the nation’s medical records.

Many doctors hate the clunky, time-sucking software they got through the massive subsidy program, and most complain that cumbersome information exchange is frustrating their efforts to coordinate and improve patient care. A quarter-million — half of those eligible for the electronic health records program — will face fines in 2015 for failing to use the systems in the way the government required. State Medicaid officials don’t know how many of their doctors are using electronic records, although they have handed out $9 billion of those federal funds to encourage their adoption. Nor do they have much sense of how much the technology is helping low-income patients. Read More

Heathcare POP Mobile Application Development

Healthcare Providers,
As you know Healthcare IT is changing every day especially in the new m-health field. Where mobile devices like iPhones, Smartphones and tablets becoming how doctors react to their patients and staff. But with this changes comes new laws about how mobility should be used to work with patient data in a secure way. This is where our mobile app called "Healthcare POP" can help Healthcare POP brings all of your healthcare info into one web-based app that can that can work on every mobile, tablet and desktop. For more information on Healthcare POP visit our demo website at http://www.wireheadtec.com/MobileApp.html Then call us if you have any questions.

Featured Report: Unlocking the Power of Health Data

Unlocking the Power of Health Data

iHealthBeat Mar,27,2014 by:+David Harlow In this day and age, with fewer and fewer exceptions, each of us has a digital footprint as a patient. Each of us has an intentional digital footprint, created by each of us directly and by the trusted others with whom we interact in the real world and online -- through electronic health records, personal health records, personal tracker data, blogs, tweets, etc. Read More

House passes contested 'doc-fix' patch with ICD-10 extension

Modern Healthcare Mar,27,2014 by:+Paul Demko Despite opposition from doctors' groups, on a voice vote Thursday, the House of Representatives passed a one-year patch for Medicare's unpopular sustainable growth-rate formula for physician payments and, in the same bill, extended the implementation deadline for ICD-10 diagnostic and procedural codes for at least a year. Read More

Seven Signs It's Time to Switch EHRs

Seven Signs It's Time to Switch EHRs

Physician Practice Mar,24,2014 by:+Michael Wilson Nothing is worse than being stuck with a crucial piece of software in your medical practice that you absolutely hate. A Black Book Rankings report found that 35 percent of medical professionals report being unsatisfied with their current system and nearly one in three medical providers want to switch. Read More

EHR Incentive Program Healthcare Professionals Did You Know? Non-hospital-based physicians and other eligible professionals can obtain incentive payments of as much as $44,000 under Medicare or $63,750 under Medicaid. Under both Medicare and Medicaid, eligible hospitals may receive millions of dollars for implementing and meaningfully using certified EHR technology. About two-thirds (65 percent) of hospitals and 32 percent of office-based physicians plan to enroll in meaningful use programs by the end of 2012 in order to receive the maximum incentives, according to survey results announced Thursday morning. Fewer federal dollars will be available to hospitals and doctors that wait to adopt EHR technology, and failure to meaningfully use EHRs starting in 2015 will result in Medicare penalties. Watch this video about how to register for the EHR Incentive program. EHR Incentive Program Registration Do you need help with HIPAA and HITECH? Then download and Read our HIPAA Guide for for Doctors and Small Clinics that contains HIPAA security regulations and check lists that you can use to start your EMR network.

Wirehead Technology's Healthcare IT Managed Services Healthcare Providers are you having trouble keeping up with the new government rules and regulations in Healthcare and don't know where to turn to get help? Then let us help you Wirehead Technology's Healthcare Managed IT Services will work with you to help you not only understand the rules but put together all the IT services that will help you comply with all the new Healthcare rules and stay with you to make sure your Healthcare practice is always up to date on all of the rules to come visit our Healthcare IT Page

Congratulations You are now Tech Coach for your school Now What?

Congratulations You are now Tech Coach for your school Now What?
Recently I responded to a question at Education World from a teacher who was just named Tech Coach for his school and wanted to know what he should do first . My answers prompted the editor of Education World to expand on my answers in the form of this blog about Technology in Education.
Before I start I like to say to educators “You can't teach 21th century students with 18th century methods”

Now for the answers, first thing you should ask yourself as tech coach is this a real job or just something on paper? Many times I come across so called tech coaches or tech coordinators who can barely turn on a computer much less maintain them. Let's say you do know something about technology. Do you know about the network that is in your school? If not then you should make a detailed inventory of what computers are in your network that are used by teachers, students, and administrators. You will find that you are dealing with three different systems. If you are only responsible for the students systems you will find that knowing about the other two systems will really help.

Next begin a relationship with the vendors that supply your school's technology knowing therm will open the door to help down the road including training and systems upgrades and advice on how to keep your system up to date.

Here comes the tricky parts begin an assessment of what the teachers really know about the applications they are using to teach are they using it or ignoring it because they were never properly trained on the application you will be surprised how many teachers could be better in technology if they knew they could get help to answer their technology questions. Or you might find that you have several tech savvy teachers like yourself could be a valuable part of your school's tech team many times I have been to schools where tech coaches work alone because they don't reach out to teachers who could help them and become advocates for him to introduce need and much needed technology to the school.

Tricky part two students many times tech coaches don't work with very tech savvy students who are eager to show him what they know about the technology they used every day. Students want to show that they are responsible and what to use technology to learn. For example many gaming companies go to high school students for gaming ideas in exchange for working with the latest gaming development software. You would be amazed at the drop in absentees and bored students when they are learning something that they can really use in their everyday life.

Social Media that word alone brings fear to schools and it shouldn't social media is a way your school can be part of your local community. Creating a social networking page branded and controlled by you is a great way to let the community know what is happening at your school. As a Tech Coach Understanding social media like Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin is very important you and your school. In fact you can make this a project for the teachers and students that they can work on together.

Mobile Devices like many other industries education is also become a place where smartphone are becoming part of the way people work and play. But unlike other industries education different since you are dealing with students you are not employees and teachers who are. So what's the problem Wifi if you have one in your school these devices can access that system if it is not secured now you must do what other industries do that is MDM mobile device management and make sure to lock down those devices and restrict access to certain website while the students are in school. Since they devices can go anywhere in your system if it is not protected. This is where knowing your vendor comes in handy they can show you a way of controlling secure access if not then find a vendor who can but most times your wifi vendor will show you how to set-up a password protected wifi system.

Parental Involvement I have seen many times schools set up systems for students and teachers but don't get the parents involved this is a mistake. Sometimes parents have concerns about the technology especially when it comes to their kids accessing the internet and social media in school. You can solve this problem by inviting parents to technology days at the school to show them how the system works and how their children are being protected while they are working on the internet. Also show them how the technology can work for them. For example there simple program called “School Notes” that can send information to a parents smartphone like emergencies at school, parent/teacher meetings, and student grades. This way the parent will become involved in what's going on in the school. In some cases you will find some very tech savvy parents who are will to mentor students on what they are doing and open doors to careers that students can aspire to.

Tricky part three school administration many times tech coaches find that they have little to know budget to implement a solution for their school that's where you really have to become the CIO for your school. Now you should create a technology plan that shows how implementing your technology solution will benefit your school wit a clear Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and a Return of Investment (RIO) for the school that not only save money but also also includes better attendance, record keeping, and better student/teacher interaction that implementing your solution will bring. Plus don't forget to bring in your advocate like teachers, students, and parents who will support you in from of the school board. So this is what you need to know about your new job as technology coach. Good Luck!

To give you a start on your new job please read this case study about one of our first clients Hayt Elementary School in Chicago their Tech Coach used our solution and was reward with a system that became a local standard for wifi in schools. Hayt Case Study

Equus is thrilled to release the Nobi Convertible v3, the latest tool designed to enhance students' learning and sharing in the classroom.

This full-featured PC switches to a tablet with a quick flip and swivel of the display. Its versatility provides an engaging educational experience that is suitable for all learning environments. The cost-effective Nobi Convertible features Windows 8, a 10.1-inch LCD display with capacitive touchscreen technology, 6 educational software applications, rugged and durable design, webcam, and so much more, making this the perfect solution for sharing information and encouraging collaboration. As the leading system builder to the Channel, Equus Computer Systems backs our products with great service, support, and price. To learn more about the Nobi Convertible and how it can benefit your customer, contact an Equus sales representative today.          Contact  Howard Lee Computer Sales Wirehead Technology Tel: 773-944-0370 Email: wireheadtec@gmail.com    Web:  http://www.wireheadtec.com/Whitebox.html#.Ufq5F6zJLw9

Seminar: Understanding EHR Networks

Seminar: Understanding EHR Networks

With Meaningful Use 1 and 2 now part of the healthcare IT landscape. Private healthcare providers must now create EHR systems or face sever penalties by 2015. But many private doctors and small clinics while knowing that they have to create an EHR have not started because they have so many questions about how to create and EHR. But not many answers from government or Healthcare IT providers that could help them create their EHR systems like larger healthcare providers who have larger IT budgets and staff.

This fact has forced many small healthcare providers to partner with larger hospitals to help them create their EHR network. The latest reports states that over 60% of small healthcare providers have partner with larger hospitals to help them create their EHR network Still many small providers are going on their own to create their EHR networks. For these providers they must ask themselves several questions to to truly understand how to create and EHR system that will meet all of the Meaningful Use 1 and 2 requirements these questions are:

1.Have you started your EHR network?
2.Do you know if your are eligible for the EHR Incentive Program through Medicare and Medicaid?
3.Do you have any type of medical software in place i.e. scheduling, lab reports, billing,etc. In your practice?
4.Are you aware of the Meaningful use1 and 2 time limits and penalties for not having an EHR plan in place?
5.Can your practice survive a medical IT audit?
6.Are You waiting to start your EHR network because of changes in the Healthcare Policies?
7.What Role Does Mobility Play in E H R?
8.Are you unsure of the cost of an E H R network?
9.Are you confused about how to pick the right IT vendor that can help you build your E H R Network?

If you are a Doctor or Administrator for a clinic or small hospital who need answers to these question then you should come to our seminar called “Understanding E H R” where will go thorough these question and give you the answers and solutions you need to get your E H R network completed within the guideline of HIPPA and HITECH regulations and qualify for Meaningful Use 1 & 2

The seminar will be held January, 9, 2013
Time: 9:30 am to 10:30 am
Location:
Wiess Memorial Hospital Auditorium
4646 N. Marine Drive
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 878-8700
(800) 503-1234

Featured Speakers:
Howard Lee
CIO
Wirehead Technology
Howard Lee is the CIO of Wirehead Technology a mobile IT consulting company. He has been working in Healthcare for over 10 years. In 2001 he was a speaker at the National Medical Association Convention and an exhibitor at the Radiology Society of North America Expo on the subject of “Mobility in Healthcare”.

Hunt Russell
VP Business Development
7 Medical
Mr. Russell has been responsible for multiple roles within 7 Medical and currently serves as VP of Business Development. Initially, he was responsible for sales and building the sales team and partner channels. He has also been involved with operational and financial duties, including raising capital.

Event Sponsors:
Business Partners of Uptown Chamber of Commerce

To Register for this event go to http://understandingehr.eventbrite.com/

Wirehead Technology Wireless Newsletter June,20,2012

Featured Report: Small Business Survey Reveals Marketing is Going Mobile
SmallBiz Technology
June,19, 2012
By: Stephanie Faris
We’ve all heard social media marketing is the next big thing, but AT&T’s latest poll proves it. While word of mouth is still the top way small businesses market their products, modern technology is a growing marketing trend among small businesses. Nearly 60 percent of small businesses reported to AT&T that they planned to spend more on online marketing than they did in 2011. Particularly notable is the growth in location-based marketing–where small businesses acknowledge that users are now using GPS to find locations “nearby.” This demonstrates the growing popularity of smartphones, which are gradually replacing personal computers as the internet-surfing tool of choice.
Read Report

Wireless Week
Microsoft’s Surface Only Half the Battle
By: Andrew Berg
June,19,2012
Microsoft yesterday unveiled the Surface, a new Windows-based 10-inch tablet aimed directly at consumers. The device itself is a milestone and a showpiece for Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system, but will the new slate be enough to compete with Apple’s iPad? The Surface comes in two variations. Windows Surface for Windows RT comes running a version of Windows 8 made specifically for ARM processors. The Surface for Windows RT packs a NVIDIA Tegra-based ARM chip. The second version comes running Windows 8 Pro, and includes an Intel Core i5 Ivy Bridge processor. There are slight variations in the specs of each model. The Windows 8 Pro version, for instance, is slightly thicker at13.5 mm than its RT counterpart.
Read Report

Yankee Group
Mobile Application and Cloud Strategies » Native vs. HTML5
By: Joan Armitage
June,4,2012
In mobile app development, one question continues to come to the fore: Should platform makers and developers focus solely on native applications specific to a certain OS--be it iOS, Android, Windows Phone or BlackBerry OS--or should they devote their finite time and resources to cross-platform HTML5-based applications? While native apps seem to be winning out for now--Apple's iOS currently garners the largest market share while reaping the most revenue in paid apps--the real answer isn't so simple. It's not an either/or proposition. Like most successful endeavors, the key is using the right tool for the job. Here is our perspective.
Read Report

Fierce Wireless
Report: RIM starts shedding jobs as part of restructuring
June, 20, 2012
By: Phil Goldstein
Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM) has started trimming jobs as part of a broader restructuring and streamlining of its business operations, according to multiple reports. Citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal reported that RIM has begun laying off small batches of employees as it cuts costs. The report said some employees at RIM's quality control, operations and parts departments have been among those whose jobs were cut. RIM executives, including CEO Thorsten Heins, have publicly said they are aiming to cut operating expenses by $1 billion by the end of the fiscal year.
Read Report

SBA Seeks Applications from Investment Fund Managers For Its New Early Stage Capital Program

SBA Seeks Applications from Investment Fund Managers For Its New Early Stage Capital Program WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration is inviting experienced early stage investment fund managers to apply for licensing as Early Stage Innovation Funds as part of SBA’s Small Business Investment Company capital investment program. Licensed Early Stage Innovation Funds can receive SBA-guaranteed funding to match their privately raised capital up to a maximum of $50 million. Early Stage Innovation Funds must invest at least 50 percent of their investment dollars in early stage small businesses. “This intiative is intended to promote American innovation and job creation by encouraging private sector investment in early stage small businesses,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. “Early stage small businesses face difficult challenges accessing capital. At the same time, in this financial climate, venture capital funds are finding it difficult to raise money from institutional investors. By licensing and providing SBA financial backing to Early Stage Innovation Funds, we hope to expand entrepreneurs’ access to capital and encourage innovation as part of President Obama’s Start-Up America Initiative launched last year.” As part of the Start-Up America Initiative, SBA intends to commit up to $1 billion in SBA guaranteed leverage over a five-year period to selected Early Stage Innovation Funds using its current program authorization. High-growth potential, early stage companies commonly experience a gap in the availability of funding between $1 million and $4 million levels. This gap is often referred to in the venture capital industry as the “Valley of Death.” Since January 2006, less than 10 percent of all U.S. venture capital dollars went to seed funds investing at those levels, and 69 percent of those dollars went to just three states: California, Massachusetts, and New York. The Early Stage Innovation Fund initiative will target this gap by licensing and guaranteeing leverage to funds focused on early/seed stage investments. SBICs are privately-owned and managed investment firms that are licensed and regulated by SBA. SBICs use a combination of funds raised from private sources and money raised through the use of SBA guarantees to make equity and mezzanine capital investments in small businesses. There are nearly 300 SBICs with more than $17 billion in capital under management. A final rule, effective April 27, 2012, was published in the Federal Register at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-04-27/pdf/2012-10120.pdf. It sets forth regulations for Early Stage Innovation Funds with respect to licensing, capital requirements, distributions, and capital impairment among other things. More information on the Early Stage Innovation Fund initiative and the regulations governing these SBICs may be found at www.sba.gov/inv/earlystage. For more information about the SBA’s Investment Division, SBIC program, Impact Investment Initiative and Early Stage Innovation Funds, go to www.sba.gov/INV. The web site offers much useful information including segments for: SBIC Applicants, SBIC Licensees, Private Partners & LPs, and Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners. The site also includes useful SBIC forms, up-to-date news and reports, and detailed information and descriptions of the Impact Investment Initiative and Early Stage Innovation Fund.