The Healthcare Blog has a post, "Who is the better radiologist", that highlights the inherent conflicts with practicing medicine today.
You can have a doctor who makes decisions quickly, but is prone to miss a possible diagnosis. Hospitals and payers appreciate the speed at which decisions are made, but come to hate the .01% of missed diagnosis, as it potentially results in higher costs and malpractice suits. Patients also appreciate doctors who can definitively give them a diagnosis, but also do not want the doctor to miss anything when it comes to them.
On the other hand, you can have a doctor who hedges every diagnosis with the word "possible" or "probably". Hospitals and payers dislike this approach, because they have to spend more to rule out such concerns (however small they may be), but can be assured that nothing will be missed. Patients, if anything is caught in follow up tests, appreciate the attention to detail. But if it turns out to be nothing, then patients have suffered days & weeks of anxiety, all for nothing.
Which would you prefer?
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Service Expansion for MedTechs & Where Jack Imaging Fits
To address these resources that hospitals may look into, L.E.K. has developed a framework to expand upon the relevant services offered. This framework includes four broad categories: Product related, Operations efficiency, Clinical care delivery, and Hospital strategy.
Jack Imaging is a powerhouse in that in falls within two categories, Operations efficiency and Clinical care delivery. Firstly, with its set of patient management tools, Jack Imaging is able to streamline workflow and thereby increase operational efficiency. For example, managing a patient's condition is simplified with the case management feature. Since doctors, caregivers, and patients can all access a shared case, retrieving and exchanging relevant medical images and documents is simplified.
Furthermore, Jack Imaging can improve clinical care delivery with its telehealth features. Besides the convenient sharing of medical images, Jack Imaging also provides secure video conferencing and messaging between relevant parties. Say a patient needs to receive a second opinion consultation-- she can simply share her case with her doctor of choice. After the doctor has reviewed all of her images and reports saved within the case, the patient and doctor can hold a video conference, to discuss the doctor's findings and suggestions.
Video conferencing with screen sharing and real-time annotation capabilities is depicted.
When asked whether hospitals would be interested in additional services from external MedTech companies, 60% of C-level respondents were in favor. As hospitals work towards increased technological innovation and improved efficiency, Jack Imaging can help with its full suite of multi-specialty care solutions.
To stay up to date with Jack Imaging, follow us on Twitter.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
What's going on in healthcare right now?
We have curated a list of some of the most interesting and
thought-provoking pieces in recent healthcare news.
Medical Imaging:
Advanced medical imaging is helping to drive the “precision” medicine movement,
leading to enhanced diagnosis, informed treatment options, and targeted
treatments.
According to Reuters Health, Mayo Clinic researchers have created an algorithm that can help appendicitis diagnosis in children and reduce CT usage.
Health IT:
A study published in the July issue of Health Affairs highlights how big data analytics is driving cost reduction including reducing preventable readmissions, effective triage, and more.
ED visits have increased with ACA implementation. To ease wait times and reduce crowding, more and more hospitals are allowing patients to book appointments online. Learn how Jack Imaging can aid the ED here.
Digital Health:
Telemedicine is increasing in popularity for treatment of injured workers to expedite their evaluation and even reduce expenses employers pay. Learn our telemedicine functionalities here.
Based on a McKinsey survey of thousands of patients in Germany, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, over 75 percent of those surveyed are in favor of digital health service implementation. Learn about apps for caregivers and managing your condition.
To get more updates from Jack Imaging, follow our twitter.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
911 to Operating Room: How Jack Imaging Expedites Treatment
The following is a hypothetical situation in an ER setting in which Jack Imaging proves to be an integral part of care that made a positive impact on patient outcomes.
The patient is a 20 year-old male involved in an altercation escalating to a penetrating gunshot wound to the right upper arm. Immediately following the gunshot, the dispatch transferred the patient to the nearest emergency room.
At the emergency room, an X-ray was ordered to determine the extent of the damage.
Radiograph revealed a complex fracture of the right upper humerus. The ER resident believed the extent of the damage warranted surgical intervention. In order to confirm the decision with an offsite ER Chief, the resident used Jack Imaging to securely share the case with the Chief. From her home office, the Chief logged onto Jack Imaging from a web browser and evaluated the X-ray, approving the course of action by sending a secure message back to the ER resident.
Because this small clinic hospital did not support complex orthopedic cases, the ER resident must transfer the patient to a larger hospital in order to get him into surgery within the next 12 hours. Again, he used Jack Imaging to forward the patient’s case to the receiving hospital to prep for the surgery ahead of time.
While the patient was in transit, the orthopedic surgeons at the receiving center briefed themselves by reviewing the X-ray and the relevant patient history via Jack Imaging. Once the patient arrived, the surgeons were already familiar with the case and had mapped out the necessary procedure. The patient was successfully operated on with zero complications.
Jack Imaging provides a platform for efficient collaboration between care teams by securely sharing medical images and patient records. All of this culminates into delivering the most comprehensive care for the patient.
A free demo of Jack Imaging is available here.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Common Myths Regarding Second Opinions
Second opinions are unnecessary - FALSE
According to the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA), an
estimated 10%-20% of cases are misdiagnosed. To compound the issue, almost 30%
of diagnostic mistakes were life threatening or had resulted in death or
permanent disability.
These days, we seek multiple opinions prior to making any decision
in our lives. There are publications, websites and media outlets dedicated to
providing you with critical information prior to making a decision. Why should
your healthcare be treated any differently?
Consult a specialist for a second opinion to verify the
initial diagnosis and treatment plan, and be secure in your decision.
Also, ask for a second opinion if you are considering alternative
treatment options. No one understands your health better than yourself, and you
should speak with different specialists to find a course of treatment with the
best possible outcome as well as the best fit for you.
Second opinions will just add to my medical
bills – FALSE
Many insurance plans, including Medicare Part B will cover second opinion consults. In fact,
Medicare Part B will even cover a third opinion if the first two opinions
received differ.
Check with your insurance provider to make sure that you have
coverage for second opinions.
My primary care physician will be upset if I
ask for a second opinion - FALSE
The majority of physicians encourage their patients to seek multiple
opinions prior to any big decisions.
According to University of Minnesota Oncologist Daniel Weisdorf, M.D., second
opinions are “"a way of life" for physicians.
Having to seek a second opinion means that I
have to get more tests done – FALSE
With Jack Imaging’s case management features, all of your
medical records and images are securely stored and can be easily shared with specialists
electronically. Your new provider may requests for new types of tests, but all
previous exams and records can be shared to avoid repeat scans and tests.
Using Jack Imaging to consult with a specialist even eliminates
the need for costly travel expenses. Receive a second opinion on diagnosis
and/or treatment within a few days, all without having to leave your home.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Guest Post: How Jack Imaging helps me manage my condition
In the summer of 2012, an ordinary consultation to get my wisdom teeth removed led to a startling discovery.
“Do you know that you have idiopathic condylar resorption? Only your back molars touch,” stated the dental surgeon.
I replied, “No... I just thought food was extra tough to chew.”
And with this, my journey with idiopathic condylar resorption began. Idiopathic condylar resorption (ICR) is defined by the Baylor University Medical Center as, “ a specific condition that affects the jaw joints (temporomandibular joints or TMJs) and most commonly occurs in teenage girls.” Because this doctor was specialized in wisdom teeth removal, I sought a second opinion and even a third. Both maxillofacial surgeons I saw informed me that surgery would be required lest with old age, I would deal with joint issues.
Before the preliminary steps to such a surgery can even be taken, it must be determined that the disease has been in remission for at least twelve months. Since there is no definitive way to determine whether or not resorption has ended, the area is observed biannually to see if there is any measurable change. As a result, every six months since my diagnosis, I have had X-rays taken of my jaw and the occlusal gap (overbite) is measured.
Because of the need for constant monitoring of the disease, I have amassed numerous X-rays and other medical records in order to build a comprehensive portfolio of my condition. Previously, I would have to retrieve all these X-rays prior to each doctor’s visit, which became an increasingly tedious process as I amassed more medical images. With Jack Imaging, I am able to organize all of these medical images and monitor the progress of my condition chronologically. It has been two years since my diagnosis and I will soon begin the preparatory steps for my surgery. When the time comes to coordinate with an orthodontist for my pre-surgery preparation, I will be able to easily share my X-rays with him/her via Jack Imaging rather than bringing in my assorted medical image discs. After the surgery, I must continue to monitor the jaw joints via X-ray for about a year to ensure that the surgery was a success.
Rather than sending in a request to retrieve my medical images for viewing, I am now able to monitor my condition on my laptop using this online platform. I feel empowered knowing that I can keep track of my health from my own home.
*name has been changed for privacy
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Jack Imaging is a Semi-Finalist in LIVESTRONG's Big C Competition!
LIVESTRONG's Big C competition is a global innovation challenge challenging us small tech companies to build solutions that improve life for people with cancer.
This year's competition attracted over 750 exciting innovations (see all entries)! Nephosity is honored to have been chosen as a semi-finalist and we are looking forward to working with our mentor, a cancer-survivor and marketing buff, hand-picked by LIVESTRONG's team to help us make it to the finish line!
What is the Big C all about? Find out through this awesome video, created by the LIVESTRONG foundation:
Find out how Jack Imaging is empowering patients to better manage their care, below, and look for more as we continue in the competition towards winning the Big C!
FIVE QUESTIONS
1. What is your innovation?
Jack Imaging provides intuitive case management tools for patients to organize medical images and records. Accessible within the web browser, our applications include a patent pending universal DICOM (medical image) viewer, secure messaging and HD ready video conferencing with screen sharing capabilities.
Remote access to medical images is also available for patients and providers using our native iPad app, which is FDA cleared as a 510(k) class 2 medical device.
Management of medical images and records is just the first step to achieving our vision. Utilizing Jack Imagings tools, patients can share their case with specialists all over to receive the most comprehensive healthcare solution. Each collaborating provider will be able to contribute to the patient's case, representing a new opinion and perspective. All contributions are saved with Jack Imaging, creating an on-going medical history record available to the patient and provider anytime, anywhere.
2. Who gains the most?
The biggest beneficiary of Jack Imaging is the patient.
According to The American Journal of Medicine and BMJ Quality and Safety, misdiagnosis of cancer occurs anywhere from 15% to 28% of the time. With over 1.6 million new cancer cases in the US during 2013, this equates to a staggering potential of 448,000 misdiagnosed patients in one year!
Patients will be better informed prior to making major decisions regarding treatment having consulted with multispecialty providers. With the patient's medical images and records securely managed on Jack Imaging, requests for second opinion consults can be done electronically from the comforts of home.
Patients living in rural areas represent a demographic that would benefit enormously from Jack Imaging. Approximately one-fourth of all the U.S. population live in areas designated as rural or frontier (areas with fewer than 6.6 people per square mile).
With Jack Imaging, these patients will be able to consult with the nations leading specialists remotely, eliminating travel expenses as well as the emotional and physical burden of travel. Patients in rural areas previously without access will now be able to connect directly to first class healthcare.
To date, Jack Imaging has been working with many online cancer support groups to heighten awareness of the value of multispecialty collaborative care, as well as seeking second opinions. We have working relationships with nationwide patient communities such as Cancer Support Community, MyBridge4Life, cancer CAREpoint, ihadcancer.com, Sarcoma Support Group and weSPARK.
The growth potential for collaborative care is tremendous, as more and more patients are being diagnosed with cancer every year. Many patients ultimately decide on an alternative treatment plan after receiving a second opinion, demonstrating that access to the appropriate specialist must be available for all patients as we fight cancer together.
3. Who pays?
Our funding model is structured to generate revenue streams from:
1. Licensing fees from academic institutions, research foundations and hospitals looking to
conduct tumor boards and grand rounds.
conduct tumor boards and grand rounds.
2. Specialist fees for patients referred through Jack Imaging.
3. Self insured employers looking to provide second opinion coverage for their employees.
4. What is your success?
Jack Imaging's impact statement is that through a collaborative multispecialty process, patients will receive a more comprehensive level of care, thereby reducing the risk of a misdiagnosis. Patients will also be more informed as they actively engage with healthcare providers during the diagnosis process.
With an accurate initial diagnosis, patients may begin treating their cancer earlier. This will lead to faster recovery times, potential savings in treatment costs and ultimately, more cancer survivors.
Jack Imaging's first year goal is to connect patients and multispecialty providers involved with cancer care using our case management platform. We are seeking innovative and dedicated members of the healthcare community that wish to participate in a collaborative fashion.
Jack Imaging will also continue to work extensively with online cancer support groups, cancer communities and healthcare providers to increase awareness and promote the value of seeking multispecialty opinions.
By Year 3, Jack Imaging hopes to have participation from providers nationwide, both in outpatient and academic research facilities to treat cancer patients in our community. Our goal is to document and track usage cases to demonstrate that patients receiving multispecialty care are more informed and involved, and that collaborative care will lead to more accurate treatment decisions and faster recovery times.
By Year 5, Jack Imaging hopes to increase their patient and provider network globally, providing medical care for patients specifically in resource-constrained communities.
5. How will you do it?
We will achieve our goals by continuing our current outreach programs:
1. Patients - via support groups, online communities and caregivers.
2. Healthcare providers (PCP/Specialists) - we will work alongside the healthcare providers of our current members. We will also increase our network of providers to meet the demand for consults.
3. Universities/Academic Research/Cancer Centers/Hospitals - we will work with institutions looking to conduct collaborative programs such as virtual tumor boards and grand rounds. Unique patient cases and studies of the month will be hosted by Jack Imaging for providers to share and consult.
4. NPOs - Currently, we are in discussions to begin pilots by next month with thesecondopinion and the North American NeuroEndocrine Tumor Society (NANETS).
We will donate our platform for their providers to review cases for patients seeking second opinions and for their tumor boards.
Our potential risks involve product adaption by patients and providers. We will be proactive in addressing this as we continue our efforts to provide members with online tutorials, live demos and consults to help patients navigate our platform. Resources will also be dedicated to developing and continuously evolving our intuitive user interface to allow patients of all ages and backgrounds to use our platform.
Additional helpful services to address adoption barriers include comprehensive records collection for patients. Our staff currently offers collection, upload and organization of previous medical images and reports on behalf of new users. As part of this program, we are participating in weekly office hours at the Cancer Support Community - Benjamin Center in Los Angeles to help patients create accounts and upload medical records.
Our immediate next steps are to continue pursuing partnerships with the aforementioned groups to ensure a smooth work flow process for patients looking to connect with specialty care providers.
Jack Imaging's Full Entry >>
All Semi-Finalists >>
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