Cheryl Kraemer/Module 5

California Health Care Foundation (February, 2014).Worth a thousand words: How to display health data.  Retrieved from: http://www.chcf.org/~/media/MEDIA%20LIBRARY%20Files/PDF/W/PDF%20WorthThousandWordsDataViz.pdf

Why was this article, blog, post, or multimedia chosen?

          This article was chosen because it provides information on how to best present health data for clarity, storytelling and impact.  It includes case studies, a toolkit on presenting data visually, and strategies for sharing data.      

What makes it interesting, appropriate, or reputable?

          What makes it reputable is that it comes for the California HealthCare Foundation, a nonprofit whose goal is to improve clinical outcomes, reduce health disparities, and promote accountability in California’s health care system.  It provides steps to get data from its original format into a presentation.  The steps include identifying the data available, determining the format of the data as it is currently, deciding on the message to be conveyed, identifying how data will be updated to encourage continuous use of the information, and deciding on a presentation approach.

Is it an opinion? Case study? Research study? Product review?

          It is a presentation by Forum One a web strategy design and development firm using a grant from the California HealthCare Foundation.

What was the need, problem, issue or trend addressed in the article, blog, post, or multimedia?

          The need that is addressed is how to make data presentable in order to better communicate a message. 

What was the solution for which technology had an answer?

          The solution is to use technology as a medium to translate complex data into simple messages. 

The presentation provided a case study of how one public health department communicated  short message to communicate health initiatives in the county.   Presenting data via charts and graphs make it clear and meaningful.  Chloropleth maps use animated graphics and allow users to change timeframes to view different sets of data.  Interactive visualizations allow users to look at different details.   Examples of interactive programming tools were provided for novice and advanced programmers.

 What implications might this have in healthcare delivery?

     The vast volumes of data that are provided with electronic health records make it easy to be overwhelmed by reports.  Having suggestions on how to display the data so it is meaningful is critical.  Too many reports are generated but the recipients of the reports do not understand what is trying to be conveyed.  Having key pieces of data displayed in easy to understand formats will make it more likely for the data to have an effect and possibly produce a change.

What did you learn from it that might have application for your practice?

          I am interested in learning more about reporting.  Having ideas about how to effectively display data will allow me to present information in a format that is meaningful to my audience.

Cheryl Kraemer Module 4

Manos, D. (2014).  5 Ways to avoid health data breaches.  Healthcare IT News.  Retrieved from:

http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/5-ways-avoid-health-data-breaches

Why was this article, blog, post, or multimedia chosen?

          This article was chosen because it addresses steps healthcare organizations can take to decrease the risk of a data breach.  In one of my informatics classes last year, I read about one of Kaiser Permanente’s data breaches.  I have read of at least one other since then and am aware of the risk for healthcare organizations.  

What makes it interesting, appropriate, or reputable?

          The article indicates there was a 138% increase in data breaches in 2013.  Since 2009, 29.2 million patients have been affected by 804 breaches of healthcare information since 2009.

Is it an opinion? Case study? Research study? Product review?

          It probably fits into an opinion as it was based on information from Daniel Berger, president and CEO of Redspin, which lists itself as “the leader in penetration testing and application security testing”.

What was the need, problem, issue or trend addressed in the article, blog, post, or multimedia?

          The issue is how to minimize the risk of a HIPAA breach at your organization.  According to Berger, the most important part of minimizing the risk of a data breach is to make your employees understand the key role they play in keeping patient health information safe.  Employees need to have a personal stake in keeping patient records safe.    

What was the solution for which technology had an answer?

          There were 5 key areas to decrease the risk of a healthcare data breach:

1)     Conduct an annual HIPAA security risk analysis

2)     Insist on data encryption on all portable devices

3)     Conduct more frequent vulnerability assessments and penetration testing

4)     Invest in security awareness of employees

5)     Engage business associates in your security awareness

 

What implications might this have in healthcare delivery?

     Making everyone aware of the risk to patient records by their actions will decrease the risk of a data breach.  Also informing employees of the costs associated with a data breach because of fines, potential class action lawsuits, attorney’s fees and negative publicity might heighten awareness of the negative impact to the organization.

What did you learn from it that might have application for your practice?

     While our IS department occasionally sends fake “phishing emails” (click this link to claim your prize), I am not aware that they perform external and internal penetration testing which mimics the paths of malicious attackers.  Additionally, other than the yearly required mandatory training, there are no reminders that create a culture of security awareness.  The article suggests screen saver reminders and monthly tips to keep patient record security on everyone’s mind.

Cheryl Kraemer  Module 3

Monsen, K., Handler, H., Le, S., & Riemer, J. (2014).  Feasability of using the Omaha System for self-report of symptoms by adults with diabetes.  Online Journal of Nursing Informatics 18(3).  Retrieved from: http://www.himss.org/ResourceLibrary/GenResourceDetail.aspx?ItemNumber=33518

Why was this article, blog, post, or multimedia chosen?

     I chose this article because it was in the latest copy of the Online Journal of Nursing Informatics.   While it primarily discusses patients using the Omaha System, it also discusses the possibility of implementing the Omaha System into personal health records as a communication tool between patients and healthcare providers.

What makes it interesting, appropriate, or reputable?

     This article was interesting because it was a study done by nursing students from the University of Minnesota and was conducted by the Center for Nursing Informatics.  It evaluated the usefulness of

Is it an opinion? Case study? Research study? Product review?

     As noted above, it was a research study.

What was the need, problem, issue or trend addressed in the article, blog, post, or multimedia?

     The study evaluated the usefulness of a standard terminology tool and its usefulness for adult diabetic patients.  The Omaha System is a standardized terminology for public health.  It consists of 3 components-the Problem Classification Scheme, the Intervention Scheme, and the Problem Rating Scale for Outcomes.  The Problem Classification Scheme was used for the study.  Thirty-one study participants reported 231 symptoms.  Forty-nine symptoms were identified by 20% or more of the respondents.  Ten symptoms were identified by at least 50% of respondents.  One symptom that was not a choice was excessive thirst.  It was recommended by study participants that it be included in the Omaha System.    

What was the solution for which technology had an answer?

     Having the Omaha System in personal health records would improve the patient provider relationship.   

What implications might this have in healthcare delivery?

     The ability to use this assessment tool on a global perspective and use the data on an international level to improve diabetes care has the potential to save millions of dollars as well as improve the health of people living with diabetes.

What did you learn from it that might have application for your practice?

   Using standardized terminology for patient self-report surveys has the potential to positively improve outcomes for patients who are affected by chronic diseases.