October, 2018, Vol. 1 - In This Issue:
Having deja vu? We are stuck on the merry-go-round in health care: innovation and disruption dominates the headlines and consumes enormous resources with the promise of better and more affordable health, our providers and systems often lack the ability to translate that innovation and evidence into timely, appropriate, consistent care, and payers and others in the healthcare industrial complex continue to fail to provide what's (really) right for the patient at the right time, even if the law requires it. It's hard to see a way to get off or stop it. To those that strive each day to do so, keep reaching for the brass ring. 

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EHR tool to screen social determinants deemed too time-consuming in pilot

Clinicians have been clamoring for ways to document and address social determinants of health in day-to-day practice, but there hasn't been much empirical evidence to prove there's a business case or market for such tools. As this study shows, there is a lot more work to be done before applications like EHR-based social determinants documentation become practical for clinicians.

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The Trump administration argues that imposing work requirements for Medicaid is an incentive that can help lift people out of poverty. But a test program in Arkansas shows how hard it is merely to inform people about new incentives, let alone get them to act.

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Sloan Kettering's Cozy Deal With Start-Up Ignites a New Uproar


An artificial intelligence start-up founded by three insiders at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center debuted with great fanfare in February, with $25 million in venture capital and the promise that it might one day transform how cancer is diagnosed.

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More than half of Americans share doctor experiences online, survey shows

Hospitals and doctors may not be thrilled about the growing reliance on online reviews, but with more consumers using them to select and rate their care, they need to take them seriously. With CMS focused on patient engagement and patient experience, how a provider handles patient feedback can impact their quality performance ratings.
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Cancer trials that rely on surrogate endpoints overlook quality-of-life issues

Although progression-free survival is increasingly used in clinical trials to validate cancer medicines, a new study indicates this approach is not necessarily improving patient quality of life.

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What the tests don't show

The man was 66 when he came to the hospital with a serious skin infection. He had a fever and low blood pressure, as well as a headache. His doctors gave him a brain scan just to be safe. They found a very small bulge in one of his cranial arteries, which probably had nothing to do with his headache or the infection.

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Being There for the Patients, Not the Bureaucrats

What do our patients really want from us?
When a patient calls up to schedule an appointment, or sends us a message through the patient portal, or calls our front desk staff to leave a message, what is it that they're looking for?

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Intermountain further solidifies research reputation with new innovation center

Utah-based Intermountain Healthcare has opened a new 120,000-square-foot innovation center aimed at accelerating care transformation.
The Kem C. Garder Intermountain Transformation Center will house institutes for leadership development simulation, research and clinical training, among others.

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Insurance system still discriminates against mental illness. Time to fight back.

In 2012, a young inventor named Joey Hudy impressed then-President Barack Obama with his bright-orange marshmallow cannon. The 14-year-old quickly made headlines after shooting a marshmallow across the State Dining Room at the White House Science Fair, much to the president's delight (and the Secret Service's chagrin).

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Precision medicine needs a business mindset in order to flourish

Precision medicine, also known as personalized medicine, has the potential to transform how we treat - or even cure - cancer and a host of other diseases such as cystic fibrosis, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's.


Passion + Quality = Change That Matters
  
I embrace the powerful opportunities in our evolving health care landscape. I founded Momentum Health Strategies to be a catalyst for change through continuous learning, diverse engagement and thoughtful policy and practice initiatives. I deliver innovative, strategic thinking and a passion for improving the patient experience. My personal drive and dedication to high-quality results will help you navigate the competitive terrain you face and convert your vision to action.

Momentum Health Strategies

Jennifer L Bright, MPA
(703) 628 - 0534