In this edition of UHIN’s bi-monthly newsletter, you’ll learn about the latest in security and training, what’s new at UHIN, and much more! If you have a comment or if there is a topic you would like to see us cover in an upcoming issue, please email us at communications@uhin.org.
The Training Tip
Policies and procedures are a vital aspect for any successful practice, but they’re only useful when they are implemented. How can an office trying to improve compliance for a policy and/or procedure encourage staff to make behavior changes?
Humans are creatures of habit, which can make it a real challenge when you’re asking for behavior changes. It also can be extra challenging when you’re trying to motivate people about compliance. There are, however, some practical steps you can take to stack the odds in your favor.
- -Get buy-in from your leadership – Companies truly take direction from the top; if your leadership isn’t visibly on board with your compliance effort, it sends the message that the effort isn’t important to the organization. Ensure your leaders are visibly and vocally supporting your message by setting a good example with their actions.
- -Reward positive behavior – When you see staff members adhering to or promoting the new policies / procedures, find some way to recognize them in a positive way. This could include anything from gift cards and giveaways to a special “shout out” at the next staff meeting. Not only will this spread positivity around compliance, it helps reinforce specific, positive actions.
- -Hold people accountable – If staff members continue to be out of compliance on policies and procedures, ensure you have organizational support to hold them accountable. This will accomplish two results: first, it will help nip problem behaviors in the bud; and secondly, it will also communicate to the entire staff the importance of compliance. If the importance of compliance isn’t stressed, you run the risk of communicating the idea that policy / procedure compliance is a nice idea but is not really required.
- -Focus on what’s important – As you teach staff about the requirements, stay focused on aspects of the policy / procedure that are most important to them. It’s human nature to tune out whatever points we perceive are irrelevant to us. If you’re flooding them with seemingly unnecessary information, they are less likely to tune in to the information that actually is relevant to them and their job. This may require splitting up your trainings to emphasize different areas for each job role.
- -Switch it up – To get the maximum benefit, provide important information multiple times but in a variety of formats, lengths, and via different senses. For example, you might do a large, hour-long training once, but then send a short email follow-up a week later. Later on, perhaps you distribute a relevant video. Also, consider placing infographic posters in areas people congregate or visit frequently.
- -Give them opportunities to practice – Many people learn best through experience, so provide your staff opportunities to try out the new behaviors in a learning environment. This might mean giving them a scenario to play out during a staff meeting, while you offer hints if they get stuck on a process. Play games or set up an office competition that involves modeling the desired behaviors. If you notice that a particular behavior is commonly troublesome, find a way to focus on an alternate behavior for that situation. Just make sure people know mistakes happen: if they’re genuinely trying, an error during one of these exercises won’t put their job in jeopardy. People need to feel safe to make the most of new information!
For questions or additional ideas, feel free to contact us at education@uhin.org.
Overhaul of Meaningful Use
CMS has announced it is rebranding Meaningful Use and removing “redundant and unnecessary” reporting measures. The new rules will go into effect on Oct. 1, 2018. You can read more about the changes in Healthcare Informatics.
Join Us for Free Webinars
Throughout the year, UHIN is hosting a series of free webinars. With a wide-range of topics and industry experts, you’re sure to find a webinar right for you. Upcoming webinars include:
- -Care Coordination – May 23, 12:00 – 1:00
- -Troubleshooting EDI with Kirstin Burdge of SelectHealth – May 30, 12:00 – 1:00
- -Medicare Updates with Lori Weber of Noridian – June 13, time 10:00 – 11:00
- -Dealing with Difficult Customers –June 20, 12:00 – 1:00
- -Advanced EDI – Reading X12 – July 18, 12:00 – 1:00
- -Advanced EDI – Reading X12: 999 and 277CA –Aug 22, 12:00 – 1:00
- -LACE Scores with Dr. Matt Hoffman, UHIN – Sept. 12, 12:00 – 1:00
- -HIPAA, Privacy, & Security – Oct 17, 12:00 – 1:00
- -ABCs of Electronic Eligibility – Nov 14, time TBD
- -Decrease the Drama to Increase the Income – Dec 19, 12:00 – 1:00
You can register for these webinars on the events page of our website https://uhin.org/events/.
Security Tip
Fishing can be relaxing and fun (well, maybe not for the fish!), but phishing can be dangerous to your business! Phishing is when you receive an email from what appears to be a trusted source but is actually an attempt to gain access to your personal data like passwords or credit cards, or to spread dangerous malware. According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group, over 100,000 new phishing attacks are reported every month!
Worse still is Spear Phishing where the email looks like it comes from a friend, a coworker, a vendor, or someone at a familiar company. After all, you are more likely to click a link in an email from Bob in accounting than you are a Nigerian Prince.
Thankfully, there are some simple precautions you can take to protect yourself and your company from getting hooked.
- -Trust your gut – if the email seems out of character for the sender, something is likely amiss
- -Look at the URL carefully – company.com is close to company.org and copmany.com
- -Does the text seem legitimate – are the spelling and grammar correct
- -Don’t download attachments – this is a primary method for spreading malware
- -Don’t click on links – they can lead to false websites created to gather your personal data
- -Increase email security – regularly scheduled anti-phishing trainings and reinforcing strong email passwords are an important first defense against phishing
- -Make use of other safety tools – there are many options out there
- -Anti-phishing toolbars quickly ferret out potential phishing sites you may try visiting
- -Anti-virus software can help prevent malware and other malicious files from accessing your computer
- -When all else fails ask – call Bob in accounting to see if he really is the source of the email
Remember: being vigilant will help keep you from being phished – hook, line and sinker!
*Sources: Wired and Phishing.org
Source: Information Technology Services Center
What’s New at UHIN?
Call Back Feature
UHIN’s famously short Customer Service wait times just got shorter! We recently added another customer-friendly option that allows our Customer Service team to offer even more convenient service to our clients – a new call back feature! Now customers who call for help only to find the Customer Service team on the phones assisting other people, no longer need to wait on hold. Instead, you can now choose to have your call returned! Customers opting for a call back won’t lose their place in line, and you can even choose to have the call returned to a different number for greater convenience. It’s just another way that UHIN is putting our customers first!
UHIN’s File Tool
Did you know that UHIN offer an easy-to-use web-based File Tool allowing UHIN’s members to process American National Standards Institute (ANSI) X12 transactions in a more convenient, time-saving manner? The upload / download file tool is included with all clearinghouse memberships, and is compatible with all operating systems, including Linux and Mac.
The File Tool allows users to upload claims and patient eligibility requests to insurance payers electronically. In return, the users can download and receive important claim acknowledgment reports and remittance reports, providing information on which claims have been paid, for which patients, and outlining any associated deductibles.
In addition to the web-based application, UHIN also has a desktop application. The desktop version features all the advantages provided by the web-based application, but also includes a “set-it-and-forget-it” listener monitor that continuously uploads and downloads files.
The new File Tool is found in the MYUHIN suite, the growing dashboard that will eventually house all UHIN’s product offerings. To learn more about UHIN’s File Tool, please contact Customer Service at customerservice@uhin.org.
In the News
UHIN’s members use the CHIE to check health records outside of their system or to be notified of a patient’s hospital admission / discharge / transfer. But Gold Cross Ambulance is using the CHIE to help its EMTs understand the final diagnosis and outcome of the patients they transport, and use that information to improve quality and training. You can read all about it in this Modern Healthcare story!
Patient Portal White Paper
Are you interested in learning more about the power of patient portals? Well, Secure Exchange Solutions recently published a white paper featuring UHIN’s patient portal, MYONECHART. The white paper explains how patient portals not only improve patient care, but help advance patient-centered care. You can read the white paper at the below link.
https://uhin.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Advancing-Patient-Centered-Care.pdf
OpenNotes
OpenNotes, an international, nonprofit movement advocating for greater openness and access to provider notes. They believe that greater available access to notes helps to empower patients, families and caregivers to have greater control of their healthcare decisions. That’s why UHIN proudly joined OpenNotes.
Nearly 22 million patients now have easy access to their health providers’ notes because of OpenNotes’ efforts. All 50 U.S. states and the province of Ontario, Canada have organizations dedicated to sharing notes with patients. UHIN is one of five Utah members of OpenNotes.
As you may remember, recently UHIN established a patient portal, allowing individuals access to their aggregated health records. MYONECHART offers patients the ability to review their records from all their providers in one convenient location, read notes, check lab results and medications, and securely contact their providers through HIPAA-compliant email.
To find out more about the OpenNotes movement, please visithttps://www.opennotes.org/.
ADTs Help Lower Readmission Rates
Receiving an alert / discharge / transfer (ADT) notification can help reduce hospital readmission rates, but by just how much? For the six-month period starting in April 2017 through November 2017, one national insurance payer discovered that their hospital readmission rates dropped by an impressive 2% thanks to discharge alerts generated by the CHIE! Want to learn more about how ADTs can help sales@uhin.org.
Meet Your Correspondent
Your intrepid correspondent is always open to topic suggestions for inclusion in the newsletter – feel free to send ideas his way. He is also an Aries, his favorite color is green, and he once rode a camel in the Gobi Desert – neither he nor the camel particularly enjoyed the experience. You can reach him at communications@uhin.org.