Fall Issue 2010

In this column, TCS Healthcare Technologies’ CEO and Founder, Rob Pock, reveals why creating and maintaining software is similar in nature to crafting a fine wine, and how TCS plans to grow the finest crop of software around.

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A recent survey released by TCS Healthcare Technologies (TCS), in conjunction with the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) and the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians (ABQAURP), sheds light on the growing role of technology when it comes to supporting medical management programs. A core objective of the 2010 survey was to assess specific trends related to health information technology (HIT) systems, including how care management software applications are improving clinical and business workflows. In addition, this informative report examines other types of electronic applications used by clinicians, patients and health plan sponsors.

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In this op-ed piece, Pat Stricker RN, M.Ed. addresses the assumption that HIT systems enable case managers to spend more time with their patients and less time completing paperwork. Based upon the recently released 2010 Health Information Technology Survey, however, most respondents report that this is not the case. Ms. Stricker explores why many care management software applications today do not allow clinicians to spend extra time with their patients, and then she offers several suggestions on how to address this challenge.

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Learn how MCM Solutions for Better Health, a national leader in providing population health management services, successfully implemented TCS’ Acuity Advanced Care™ platform. MCM decided that ACUITY was a great fit for their business model, and also was impressed by TCS’ expertise and ability to take MCM programs and services to the next level.

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This feature provides an overview of AcuStrat™, a data mining and population management tool that helps automate and standardize care management processes in a wide array of healthcare settings for TCS customers. The overview discusses how Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island has used AcuStrat over the past several years to boost efficiency and improve outcomes.

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This new feature highlights a TCS employee in each issue. Our first column introduces you to Casey O’Banion, a senior programmer/analyst with TCS. In addition to his talents as a software developer, he also competes regularly in a traditional Scottish competition, called the Highland Games, which dates back to 1100 AD. Learn why “knowledge” and “experience” are required for both endeavors.

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• Patient Participation in Shared Decision-Making Means Improving Self-Advocacy Skills
• CDC Urges Healthcare Practitioners to Bolster Patients’ Abilities to Use Antibiotics Appropriately
• Workers Struggle with the Decision to Reveal or Not to Reveal Invisible Disabilities
• Healthcare-Associated Infections See a Decline
• Nailing It - What Tales Fingernails Can Tell

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