from DSSResources.comABQAURP Medical Officer calls for improved clincal IT systems; Physicians rally for patient safety at healthcare technology conferenceMADISON, Wis. and TAMPA, Fla., June 25, 2004 -- Physicians and IT leaders converged in Madison, Wisconsin this week to debate how health care can be revolutionized and patient safety improved at the Digital Healthcare Conference (www.wistechnology.com/dhc.htm) presented by the Wisconsin Technology Network and the University of Wisconsin's Medical, Nursing and Engineering Schools in association with the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians (ABQAURP). Dr. Chaiken, Chief Medical Officer for ABQAURP hosted discussions with government officials, hospital CEO's and CIO's as well as Wisconsin's Insurance commissioner to explore how the quality of health care can be improved by leveraging information technology. Dr. Chaiken, who served as conference chairman, called for improved use of clinical IT to reduce medical errors and said, "The conference brought together visionaries, developers, engineers and end users to help with the development of a detailed road map for enhanced patient safety that meets the needs of all stakeholders." Two officials from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. William Yasnoff and Kathy Heuer were in attendance. They discussed President Bush's recent executive order to accelerate health care into the 21st century and the appointment of Dr. Brailer as National Health Care IT Coordinator. In addition, they reviewed public and private health care system efforts to create interoperability and consistent business processes that will reduce medical errors, and ultimately reduce costs with a Federal Health Architecture and National health Information Infrastructure (NHII). Dr. Yasnoff argued that the most viable solution for existing problems is using information technology, citing the need to provide "anywhere, anytime health care information and decision support." The system begins with electronic health record (EHR) systems, which keep the information separate from other servers and serve as the building blocks for NHII. The NHII system, according to Yasnoff, also has the potential to provide $131 billion of net savings. Jeffrey Grossman, MD, CEO of UW Medical Foundation delivered a visionary keynote address that shared his vision for the future information needs of healthcare providers. He emphasized the importance of relating to patients in the information-soaked world of medicine. "Information technology really can be the link between our hearts and minds and we need to use it," said Grossman. Dr. Grossman called for physician leaders to develop a vision that embraces and leverages technology to improve health care while dismissing the notion that current technology is inadequate to improve patient care. ABQAURP, a leading non-profit certification organization in health care quality and management, and patient safety for physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals, provided expertise in the development of the conference agenda. In addition, ABQAURP sanctioned six hours of continuing education credits for physicians and nurses attending the conference. ABQAURP is certified by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the Florida State Nursing Association. "Our unflappable commitment to advancing education and certification in quality health care and patient safety is evidenced by our more that 10 year relationship with the National Board of Medical Examiners who we work with in the development and administration of our Board Certification exam," said Arthur Broder, MD, Chairman of ABQAURP. "We are proud of our unique role in advancing patient safety through our Board Certification process." A 2 day conference titled "Patient Safety: Perspectives from the Field of Stakeholders" sponsored by ABQAURP featuring Richard Carmona, MD, US Surgeon General, Jim Bagian, MD, expert on the Patient Safety Reporting System and former NASA Astronaut, and William Hendee, Vice Chair of the National Patient Safety Foundation will be held on October 29-30th in Tampa, FL. In addition, Booz Allen Hamilton, a national consulting firm, is working with ABQAURP to deliver a "Patient Safety War Games" simulation where participants working in teams, attempt to solve a serious patient safety scenario. About ABQAURP: The American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians (ABQAURP), works to educate and certify healthcare professionals in health care quality and management, and patient safety. We are a 27 year old non-profit association that works closely with the National Board of Medical Examiners in the development and administration of our certification exam. Our membership includes over 3,000 active board certified participants made up of physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals. (www.abqaurp.org) About Booz Allen Hamilton A global leader in management and technology consulting, Booz Allen Hamilton provides services to major international corporations and government clients around the world. They provide services to major international corporations and government clients around the world. Booz Allen's major areas of expertise include: Strategy, Organization and Change Leadership, Operations, Information Technology, Technology Management. www.boozallen.com |