The industry’s only integrated technology platform for inpatient and outpatient coding and CDI – precyseCode™ and precyseCDI™ offers additional functionality with easier to use interface
San Diego, CA Sep 30, 2014 — The use of precyseCode™ and precyseCDI™ by provider organizations continuous to grow. Precyse’s single, consolidated platform offers both inpatient and outpatient computer-assisted coding (CAC), and clinical documentation improvement (CDI) workflow supported by state-of-the-art Natural Language Processing (NLP). The technology and Precyse’s unique ability to offer associated services helps minimize denials, reduce audit risks, and improve coding compliance.
Nationally, Providers are starting dual coding programs to ensure their coders have hands-on coding practice before the proposed ICD-10 implementation in October 2015. Dual coding allows providers to analyze for documentation gaps, identify educational opportunities and the potential impact on contract and reimbursement.. Client facilities using precyseCode and precyseCDI are taking advantage of the technology’s dual coding capabilities, which are complemented by Precyse’s dual coding services. “The technologies are helping our clients lower their coding error rates and reduce the number of queries back to the physician for clarification or correction,” comments Chris Powell, CEO of Precyse. “Since AHIMA October 2013, we’ve experienced 26 percent growth in our CAC/CDI technology client base.”
Adds Debra Stenner, Chief Technology and Strategy Officer, “Hospitals using Precyse’s technology have experienced significantly higher productivity rates. One client reported a 50 percent increase in productivity with the use of precyseCode for same day surgeries (SDS) and expects the number to grow.”
Month: September 2014
Precyse University Courseware Enhancements Ready Facilities for ICD-10
Healthcare education leader collaborates with providers to take advantage of ICD-10 delay and improve documentation for each specialty.
San Diego, CA Sep 29, 2014 — Precyse University, the most innovative, complete and widely adopted on-site, online and mobile ICD-10 education solution, continues to support its growing population of more than 1.6 million learners by offering more courseware to support improved clinical documentation. This unique and comprehensive ICD-10 education solution is delivered exclusively through HealthStream’s workforce development platform. “Our clients are interested in clinical documentation improvement training for a number of reasons,” explains Tom Ormondroyd, Vice President and General Manager, Precyse Learning Solutions. “There is a large consensus that regardless of an ICD-10 deadline, improvingdocumentation has a significant positive impact on patients, healthcare providers and facilities. That’s the focus that keeps the momentum going and supports healthcare facilities in achieving better outcomes.”
Clinical documentation training enhances the skills of providers, and results in more accurate coding, and reimbursement, whether coders are using ICD-9 or ICD-10. A growing number of provider facilities recognize the process of documentation accuracy and integrity as crucial to helping them meet numerous goals.
Precyse University’s solution offers foundational and specialty courses to help organizations move forward with documentation improvement plans and education. Each program is filled with tips, strategies and readiness information for documentation and coding best practices. Due to the ICD-10 delay, the Precyse University solution has been enhanced to focus on optimal documentation and processes that maximize performance in an ICD-9 or ICD-10 world. Precyse has released additional coding tools and courseware to help maintain skills for those coders who have already completed their education and risk losing this knowledge. The focus of Precyse University is to encourage impacted populations to stay the course with their ICD-10 training programs, and focus on accurate and complete documentation for each specialty to minimize the risk of falling behind.
“Precyse University is innovating courseware and programs to help clients through this time period. We’re building and shaping content to help them navigate the delay and be best prepared for a successful transition,” summarizes Ormondroyd. “This is an unexpected opportunity for provider facilities to improve their documentation.”
Oasis Outsourcing Opens Minneapolis Office
Minneapolis, MN Sep 29, 2014 – Oasis Outsourcing, one of the nation’s leading Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs), is pleased to announce that it has opened an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota, located at 860 Blue Gentian Road, Suite 200. In addition, Oasis has brought on Laurie O’Kane as District Manager to oversee the office and its growth.
“The Minneapolis market was selected as an area of focus due to the presence of high-growth industries in this market,” said Mike Viola, Executive Vice President of Sales for Oasis. “Minneapolis is a hub for many businesses that can directly benefit from Oasis’ human resources and employee benefits solutions.”
Oasis specializes in providing customized human resources services, employee benefits, payroll and tax administration, risk management services and staffing solutions to small- and medium-sized businesses throughout the United States. In addition, Oasis is an expert on the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) implications for businesses and provides guidance through the various provisions of the legislation.
Precyse Showcases Top Tools for Smooth Transition to ICD-10 at AHIMA 2014
HIM technology and services leader offers key HIM events and demonstrates technology enhancements
San Diego, CA Sep 28, 2014 — Precyse, an industry leader in Health Information Management (HIM) Performance Management services and technologies, invites AHIMA 2014 show attendees to visit booth #1617 and see how it is driving the power of information with the only HFMA Peer Reviewed HIM Technology and Services Suite. Attendees will experience live demonstrations of the newest enhancements to precyseCode™ computer-assisted coding and precyseCDI,™ offered in one integrated platform that incorporates state-of-art Natural Language Processing (NLP) for embedded intelligence, and supports multiple HIM roles across your organization.
Another star feature at the show booth will be Precyse University, the company’s innovative, complete and widely adopted on-site, online and mobile ICD-10 education solution. This unique and comprehensive ICD-10 education solution is delivered exclusively through HealthStream’s workforce development platform and is used by approximately 1.6 million learners for ICD-10 readiness. Visit the Precyse booth and see why Precyse received a 100% client satisfaction score for its ICD-10 education solution, appraised by clients as a mature, comprehensive and flexible training program.
On September 30th, for the fourth consecutive year, Precyse will assemble the HIM Innovation Community, led by Linda Kloss, MA, RHIA, FAHIMA, president of Kloss Strategic Advisors and former CEO of AHIMA. Comprised of Precyse thought leaders and HIM professionals from top healthcare institutions in North America, the assembly will convene with an overarching goal to gain insight from community members on the state of information and data governance. Our community members are leaders and as such, we are interested to hear how they are transforming HIM in their respective venues.
Additionally, Precyse will host its annual Precyse University User Group collaboration meeting, also on September 30.The meeting offers attendees the opportunity to collaborate with their Precyse University peers about ICD-10 education and transition, the impact of the delay’s impact on user groups’ plans, effective strategies used to drive utilization, and an exciting – and exclusive – sneak peek at the newest Precyse University technology coming soon. Precyse is proud to be an AHIMA Diamond Partner and support the AHIMA Foundation as a Platinum Partner.
Precyse Thought Leaders Share ICD-10 Advice and Expertise at AHIMA 2014
HIM technology and services leader to present best practice strategies that transform ICD-10 challenges into success for staff, physicians and healthcare facilities
San Diego, CA Sep 28, 2014 — Precyse, the industry leader in health information management (HIM) technologies and services, announces its lineup of speakers and events at the 86th Annual American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Convention and Exhibit, September 27 through October 2, 2014. AHIMA attendees are invited to attend the company’s sessions that showcase the benefits and challenges providers face when transitioning to ICD-10.
On Monday, Precyse business executive and healthcare educational thought leader Tom Ormondroyd will present “Build Your ICD-10 Transition Strategy to Empower Physicians” during a networking breakfast at the San Diego Conference Center. Ormondroyd, Vice President and General Manager of Precyse University™, will provide attendees with valuable tips and ideas on how to engage physicians in ICD-10 preparedness programs for a successful transition amidst the impact of the ICD-10 delay. “ICD-10 promises strong benefits to physicians and the healthcare organizations in which they practice, including appropriate reimbursement, improved outcome indicators, reduced potential compliance issues, fewer claims denials. The key is proper training and preparation,” notes Ormondroyd. The breakfast and speaking event takes place September 29, from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. in Room 1A at the San Diego Conference Center.
Closing out the show on Wednesday, Precyse HIM expert, Marion Kruse, Senior Managing Director, Clinical Services, RN, MBA, will lead a discussion on how to turn the ICD-10 year long delay into an advantage for your organization. Titled “How to Survive and Thrive in the New World of ICD-10,” her informative presentation features points on how to make the most of documentation opportunities that may impact reimbursement and quality measurement, and minimize coding and revenue delays. The presentation includes documentation and coding quirks discovered in recent chart reviews to help keep coders on point and on task for maximum results. The speaking event takes place October 1, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in Room 6A at the San Diego Convention Center.
AHIMA show attendees are encouraged to visit Precyse at booth #1617.
Lombard Aorfix leverages VQI and M2S PATHWAYS
Lombard Medical Engages Society for Vascular Surgery® and M2S Inc. to Implement Post-Marketing Surveillance Program for Aorfix™ Endovascular Stent Graft
West Lebanon, NH Sep 24, 2013 – Lombard Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVAR), a medical device company focused on endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), has partnered with the Society for Vascular Surgery® Patient Safety Organization (SVS PSO) and M2S Inc. to develop a FDA-required post- marketing surveillance program for Aorfix™, an endovascular stent graft to treat AAA. Lombard Medical will use the Vascular Quality Initiative® (VQI) Endovascular AAA Registry™, the PATHWAYS™ cloud-based data platform and M2S Preview 3D modelling to track outcomes in patients treated with Aorfix at up to 50 VQI centers nationwide. Aorfix has been used to treat more than 3,000 patients worldwide since it first received regulatory approval.
AAA affects 200,000 Americans each year, and occurs when a weak area of the abdominal aorta expands and is at risk of rupture, and death, if left untreated. AAA is treated by the placement of an endovascular stent graft, such as Aorfix, into the area of the aneurysm to strengthen the weakened wall of the abdominal aorta. The FDA requires post-market surveillance of any device intended to be implanted in the body for more than a year.
The surveillance program will consist of reporting from multiple centers on a non-randomized basis. Freedom from aneurysm-related mortality will be assessed at 5 years following the initial procedure in approximately 234 patients.
Dr. Jack L. Cronenwett, Medical Director for the Society for Vascular Surgery® Patient Safety Organization, states, “We have been working with Lombard Medical, M2S and the FDA to construct a post-approval surveillance program which integrates clinical registry data on patient outcomes after endovascular AAA repair with 3D CT scan imaging for detailed device monitoring. This quality improvement initiative will collect data and follow-up time points for patients in VQI and analyze these data along with image data for quality improvement purposes within the SVS PSO. In addition, non-identifiable data from this project will be shared with the FDA and Lombard Medical to satisfy post-approval surveillance requirements.”
Lombard Medical CEO Simon Hubbert said, “We could not have chosen better partners to collaborate with on this post-market surveillance program, and we are extremely confident that Aorfix will continue to show superior clinical results in both challenging ‘high neck angle’ anatomy and more easily treatable AAA patients. We look forward to working with SVS and M2S in support of this post-market surveillance program.
Gregory Lange, President and CEO of M2S, Inc., added, “By combining the VQI clinical quality data and quantitative anatomic information from M2S’ Preview imaging services, Lombard Medical and the FDA will have a complete picture of the patients being treated, their anatomy, the performance of Lombard’s graft and the clinical outcomes. This is a significant development in the monitoring of endovascular aortic aneurysm performance post- approval.”
The Vascular Quality Initiative
The Vascular Quality Initiative® is a distributed network of regional groups that use the Society for Vascular Surgery Patient Safety Organization and the M2S cloud based system to collect and analyze data to improve the quality of vascular health care. Through regional quality group meetings, VQI participants share data to develop quality improvement projects designed to standardize processes, improve outcomes, and reduce complications and costs. Currently the VQI includes 11 registries including the Endovascular AAA Registry.
Freezing Prostate Cancer with Cryotherapy
Current generation technology is an effective option for localized prostate cancer
Austin, TX Sep 24, 2014 — September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. According to the American Cancer Society®, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer striking men after skin cancer.1 Thanks to advances in diagnosis and treatment, prostate cancer has one of the highest survival rates of any type of cancer.1 Treatment options include prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate), radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and cryoablation (cryotherapy).2
While the majority of prostate cancers are treated with radiation and surgery, the minimally invasive, localized procedure known as cryotherapy is gaining more interest, particularly, for cancers in older men and for recurring prostate cancer.
Localized Cancer Treatment
Cryotherapy uses freezing technology to kill cancerous tissue. Different from radiation, which can require up to 45 treatments, cryotherapy is usually a one-time treatment. As an outpatient procedure, cryotherapy patients typically have minimal pain and are able to return to normal activities shortly after their procedure.
When Cancer Comes Back
According to a study in the Reviews in Urology, approximately one third of the 233,000 men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year will undergo radiation.3 Unfortunately, the cancer will return in 20% to 66% of these men. 3
One of those men is 67-year-old Ronald Wolters. Wolters was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011 and opted for radiation as a first line treatment. He underwent 45 radiation treatments over a nine week period, but approximately a year ago, his PSA levels began to rise, a sign that the radiation did not kill all of his cancer.
“When my doctor explained that cryotherapy was an option for me, I wholeheartedly agreed to undergo the procedure,” explained Wolters. “The idea that freezing technology could potentially kill the cancer was extremely exciting to me.”
Salvage therapy, also known as rescue therapy, is a form of treatment administered when other therapies have not been successful. A growing amount of evidence supports the use of cryotherapy for patients with localized prostate cancer following radiation therapy, according to an editorial in European Urology.4
“It’s a sad truth that one out of four men will have recurrent prostate cancer after radiation therapy. Many of those patients are told there are no other options,” explained Dr. Eric Giesler, a urologist with the Urology Team in Austin, Texas. “Cryotherapy is a viable, minimally-invasive treatment where many patients go home the same day.”
Wolters was also impressed with the little downtime of cryotherapy. “I was back on the golf course within a week, doing what I love most.”
Current Generation Technology Has Fewer Side Effects
Early cryotherapy treatments in the 1960s used liquid nitrogen to create an ice ball to freeze tissue. Use of nitrogen, however, lacked precise control and monitoring, resulting in high complication rates.
The treatment has since been revolutionized and has transitioned to argon–based systems, which use ultrathin needles to create precisely controlled ice balls. Ultrasound imaging has also evolved with cryotherapy and provides visualization of the generated ice ball. Cryoablation now incorporates routine use of advanced sensing probes, double freeze–thaw cycles, and urethral warming catheters. When used together, these technical advances, along with improvements in technique, have led to reductions in side effects.
It is important to note, however, as with any treatment for prostate cancer, side effects may occur after cryotherapy. These side effects may include loss of urinary control, injury to the rectum, and loss of sexual function.
“Unfortunately, many of the treatments we use to kill prostate cancer come with potential side effects such as incontinence,” said Dr. Giesler. “Fortunately, with the improvements in cryotherapy we’ve seen in the last decade, the occurrence of incontinence has been dramatically reduced and is often only a temporary side effect.”
Cryotherapy is also used to treat cancers of the kidneys and lungs, as well as treating liver metastases and providing palliative intervention for cancer.
For more information, visit www.StopCancerCold.com
Interview Opportunities:
Dr. Eric Giesler, Urologist, Urology Team, Austin, Texas
Ronald Wolters, Prostate cancer patient who underwent Cryotherapy procedure
1 http://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostatecancer/detailedguide/prostate-cancer-key-statistics
2 http://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostatecancer/detailedguide/prostate-cancer-treating-general-info
3 Lam JS and Belldegrun AS: Salvage Cryosurgery of the Prostate after Radiation Failure. Rev. Urol. 2004; 6(Suppl. 4):S27-S36.
4 Jones JS: Radiorecurrent Prostate Cancer: An Emerging and Largely Mismanaged Epidemic. Eur. Uro. 2011; 60:411-412.
About HealthTronics
HealthTronics, Inc., established in 1989 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, provides integrated urological and interventional radiology products and services, as well as physician partnership opportunities. The company brings its advanced technology and support systems to health care providers throughout the United States. For more information visit www.healthtronics.com.
STOP CANCER COLD and ENDOCARE are trademarks of Endocare, Inc., registered in the U.S. with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. The HT HEALTHTRONICS logo is a trademark of HealthTronics, Inc. The AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY is a registered trademark of the American Cancer Society, Inc.
Quantum Health Listed by INC. 5000 for Seventh Year; Care Coordination and Navigation Company Grew 216% in Three Years
Columbus, OH Sep 23, 2014 – Quantum Health, the leading consumer care coordination and navigation company, was once again recognized by Inc. magazine on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list, an annual ranking of the 5,000 fastest-growing privately held companies. Ranked 1,902 on the list, this is the sixth consecutive year Quantum Health has made the Inc. 5000 and the seventh time since 2007.
“We’re extremely proud of this recognition, which underscores what we know to be true in healthcare,” said Kara Trott, founder and chief executive officer, Quantum Health. “Companies and their employees want to lower their healthcare costs, but they also expect a positive healthcare experience. We’re pleased to be able to give them both.”
Quantum Health grew by 216% between 2010 and 2013, the timeframe used by Inc. for its annual ranking.
Quantum Health was the first to define and use consumer behavior process mapping in healthcare by tracking 3,200 patients and 290 providers for two years. From this research, the company built a best-in-class model for care coordination and navigation based on how people experience their healthcare journey, what they need and how best to connect with them.
As part of a company’s healthcare benefits plan, Quantum Health offers a single point-of-contact connecting employees to a multidisciplinary team that uses Real-Time Intercept™ to proactively address their needs and concerns throughout their healthcare journey. The company’s average call with members or providers is six to seven minutes, and 35% of these calls are outbound. For these and many other reasons, Quantum Health has a 94% member satisfaction rating.
To qualify for the Inc. 500|5000, companies must have generated revenues of at least $100,000 in 2010 and at least $2 million in 2013. They must also be for-profit, independent and privately owned companies based in the United States. To view the ranking, visit http://www.inc.com/inc5000/list/2014.
HealthTronics Announces Distribution Agreement with Clinicon
Laser Surgical Device Expands Minimally Invasive, Mobile Technology Portfolio
Austin, TX Sep 22, 2014 — HealthTronics, Inc., a leading provider of integrated urological and interventional radiology products and services, has signed a distribution agreement through its Endocare, Inc. subsidiary with Clinicon Corporation for its high precision laser technology. The addition expands HealthTronics’ portfolio of minimally invasive, mobile, surgical technology—offering more choices for healthcare providers and their patients.
Under the agreement, HealthTronics will make available Clinicon’s FDA-cleared SureLase™ CO2 Laser System and Fiber Accessories to physicians, hospitals, surgical centers and other health care providers for a wide range of surgical specialties.
HealthTronics and Clinicon will jointly exhibit at the AAO-HNSF 2014 in Orlando to address the ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) market. Some of the most common ENT surgeries performed with the SureLase™ CO2 Laser System include micro laryngoscopies, bronchoscopies, and stapedectomies.
“Clinicon’s high precision laser technology replaces bulky articulating mirror arms with thin fiber optics to reduce trauma to patients during laser surgical procedures. This makes it a natural complement to our portfolio of minimally invasive mobile products,” said Russell Newman, President of HealthTronics.
Clinicon’s surgical tools are used to deliver CO2 laser energy for incision, ablation and coagulation or cauterization of soft tissue. The CO2 laser, often known as the original “surgical laser,” most resembles the traditional surgical instruments for cutting, ablation and coagulation.
Since becoming an independent company in February 2014, HealthTronics has pursued a strategy to expand its portfolio of minimally invasive mobile technology. Said Newman, “With mobile technology, health care providers can offer more comprehensive care efficiently and effectively by not taking on large capital costs and maintenance. That’s an advantage for the provider and the patient.”
To date, HealthTronics has added nerve monitoring equipment for use during robotic prostate surgery and targeted microwave energy for ablation of soft tissues. Other technologies currently offered by the company include Endocare® cryotherapy systems for ablation of prostate, kidney and lung cancer tumors, lithotripters for fragmenting kidney stones and lasers for treating benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).
HealthTronics Announces Data Comparing Cryotherapy Versus Radiation for Treating Prostate Cancer
HealthTronics Announces Data Comparing Cryotherapy Versus Radiation for Treating Prostate Cancer
Austin, TX Sep 18, 2014 — HealthTronics, Inc., a leading provider of integrated urological and interventional radiology products and services, announced that a poster related to cryosurgery (also known as cryotherapy and cryoablation) versus external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is being presented at the Mid-Atlantic Section of the American Urological Association (MAAUA) Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland September 18-21, 2014.
“Comparing Relative Effectiveness of Cryosurgery and External Beam Radiation as Treatments for Localized Prostate Cancer,” Poster P2 from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014.
Retrospective data were collected from 181 patients who underwent cryotherapy and 40 patients who were treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) since 2002. Post-treatment PSA levels (a common blood test used to screen for prostate cancer) were tracked in the patients for up to 10 years and the occurrence of complications was recorded.
Data found no significant difference in biochemical failure rates between the two treatments after one year post-treatment (χ2 = 0.698, p-value = 0.404) or five years post-treatment (χ2 = 0.066, p-value = 0.797). Most complications occurred with statistically equal frequency in both treatment groups, but gastrointestinal problems were more common in radiation patients than in cryotherapy patients (χ2 = 19.261, p-value = 0.000).
The results suggest that cryoablation of the prostate is as effective a treatment as EBRT. As more long term cryotherapy data becomes available, it may move into a favorable position as a first line therapy for localized prostate cancer. Limitations of research in this field are lack of randomized trials and consensus in defining treatment failure.*
“Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in American men with nearly 250,000 diagnosed each year,” said Anshu Guleria, MD, urologist. “These data help to shed a light on the variety of effective treatment options available for fighting prostate cancer.”