Video conferencing on your PC or MAC
GCI ConnectMD brings you Vidyo's versatile, easy-to-use system for computer based video conferencing using off the shelf webcams and computer headsets/speakerphones.
Vidyo is compatible with the vast majority of computer networks, Internet connections, and firewalls, allowing you to use video conferencing in just about any environment. Whether at home or on the road, all you need is an Internet connection, webcam, and headset or speakerphone to participate in a video conference.
Learn more about Vidyo and other managed video solutions at GCI Advantage Video.
Upcoming Events
September 22, 2009
Tumwater, Washington
Also available via videoconference
September 23, 2009
Billings, Montana
September 23, 2009
Seaside, Oregon
September 24, 2009
Palm Springs, California
September 29, 2009
Spokane valley, Washington
Also available via videoconference
View Event Calendar
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The GCI ConnectMD Medical Network stretches through-out Alaska and across Washington with direct connections to over 140 clinics, hospitals, and medical corporations. By joining the network you can make these direct connections to support your medical business operations, exhcange data, and forge relationships.
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We provide direct connections to over 140 clinics, hospitals, and medical corporations within our fully managed and growing medical network.
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Sandy's Corner:
As I prepared to write this month's corner comments, I struggled with what could be said that was new, interesting and of value in the healthcare arena. Healthcare reform, stimulus monies available, state plans and the like are the news stories we continue to hear every day, but is there anything there that can really constitute as new? One area that hasn't received a great deal of attention comes under the heading of payment reform. The signs for payment reform are everywhere: P4P, legislative activity and multiple large demonstration projects. This has always been on the horizon, but inevitably has been buried under all of the other initiatives.
For payment reform to happen, all signs point to the need for collaboration from a diverse group of providers to reduce costs and improve overall quality. The challenge in this will come via a transformation of corporate structures and operations to enhance service values to keep up with incentives. We all recognize that there are very small dollar amounts associated with quality measure incentives, but in spite of that, providers need to take measured steps to position themselves for reform.
Many organizations have started to put structures in place to integrate hospitals and providers. But most are waiting until more information on reform has been finalized. Additionally because of the high cost of putting integration structures in place, many are waiting for more specifics before investing in either time or dollars to develop a strategy.
The following three changes are likely:
- Payment structures that are built around bundled or global formulas that are episodic or population-based to include risk sharing among all providers involved in the episode of care.
- Transition from the current medical care model to a healthcare/medical home model which will include both prevention and chronic care management.
- More comprehensive care processes requiring enhanced connectivity and more integrated and cost-based methods of calculating payments.
In order to be ahead of the curve on payment reform, once those fundamentals are released, organizations can begin to build their strategy around the following three areas:
- Integration - continued collaboration across the continuum of care. This will be a huge process change between hospitals, physicians and other care providers.
- Risk Management - accounting for and mitigating the financial risk of managing a population's health and the technical risks of adoption of new technologies to increase quality and efficiency.
- Pricing - accurate pricing in relationship to cost has always been an interesting path in fee for service payment mechanisms. Under the new methodology of bundled/global payments; new prices for those services that allow for recovery of both direct and indirect costs, include the risk factors involved in providing that care and allow for a margin for capital reinvestment and additional funding for meeting the needs of new requirements that help meet the organization's mission, goals and values will be critical .
In order to begin adopting these strategies, organizations need accurate cost and decision support information based on real time data as well as a firm understanding of their market, competitors, and the populations they manage. Then they can begin the education process to allow for the transformational change ahead.
(Sandy Kukla is Senior Program Manager for GCI ConnectMD in Seattle, WA)
FCC Workshop: Health Care
On September 15, 2009, the FCC conducted a workshop on health care with the goal of gathering information concerning how and where broadband networks are deployed to provide telehealth services throughout the nation. Workshop participants shared information on successful telehealth programs and discussed the need for adequate connectivity to telemedicine broadband networks. Participants also discussed the issue of public safety in regards to secure access to electronic medical records and the coordination between federal, regional, and local emergency responders during public health emergencies.
The following documents were presented at the workshop:
Joint Commission Alert: Effective Leadership Critical to Preventing Medical Errors
(OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. – August 27, 2009) A new Joint Commission Sentinel Event Alert issued today urges health care leaders to step up efforts to prevent errors by taking the zero-defect approach used in other high-risk industries such as aviation and nuclear energy. The Joint Commission is advocating greater involvement of health care trustees, executives, and physician leaders, contending that the overall safety and effectiveness of a health care facility depends on administrative and clinical leaders who set the tone, create the culture and drive improvements. In safe organizations, safety is rooted in the culture and the system, rather than in the behavior of individuals.
Read the full article
HHS Awards AHIMA (American Health Information Management) Foundation $1.2 M for State-level Health Information Exchange Consensus Project
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for HIE has awarded the AHIMA Foundation a one-year, $1.2 million grant to continue the State-level Health Information Exchange Consensus Project to actively assist states with nationwide health information exchange adoption, planning and implementation.
Read the full press release
Grants earmarked for technology to boost medication adherence
OAKLAND, CA – The Center for Technology and Aging has released guidelines for a $500,000 grants program aimed at using technology to help reduce patients' failure to adhere to prescribed medication regimens.
Prescription medication-related hospitalizations cost $47 billion annually, according to the center.
The Medication Optimization Diffusion Grants Program provides up to six one-year grants to organizations successfully proposing programs that directly benefit older adults. Four or five grants will focus on Californians, while one or two may be awarded to other regions of the country.
Read the full article
Download the Grant Application Guide
American Telemedicine Association Recently Hosted Videocast: Into the Final Stretch? What to Expect for Telemedicine and Health Policy in 2009
Congress is back in session and healthcare reform continues to dominate the agenda. What’s the latest news? What plans are being debated? What are the opportunities for telemedicine? Watch this videocast to get the inside scoop from ATA CEO Jon Linkous and Senior Director of Public Policy, Gary Capistrant.
This videocast will be recorded and made available for later viewing on the ATA website.
To submit your stories, tips or news items:
If you would like to submit, please respond by email to skukla@gci.com. Please give us your full contact information, a brief description of your submission and attach your Word, PDF and appropriate files or you may contact us by phone at: (866) 221-4841. When we add your submission we will also include an outside link to your organization’s website.
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