Patient data access
Patient data access, critical regulatory requirement, concerns the secure retrieval and use of individual health information, often via a patient portal or other secure means. In addition, adequate access to care and appointment scheduling, are mainstays of patient-centered care.
Top Stories
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News
29 Oct 2024
Oracle Health unveils patient portal tool for care management
The Oracle Health Patient Portal and Oracle Health Patient Administration tools aim to streamline care management and patient intake, the company says. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Oct 2024
5 pitfalls to avoid when using GenAI for patient engagement
Issues like algorithmic bias and deepening the digital divide are potential pitfalls to using GenAI for patient engagement. Continue Reading
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01 Sep 2021
Ending Eviction Bans May Exacerbate COVID-19 Health Disparities
COVID infection risk rises even more for those with chronic illness and in low-income areas, threatening to deepen COVID-19 health disparities. Continue Reading
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01 Sep 2021
Uber Health Extends Medical Transportation to TX Medicaid Members
The partnership will boost medical transportation across 4.4 million Medicaid members, addressing a key social determinant of health. Continue Reading
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26 Aug 2021
Social Determinants of Health Affect Mobility, Disability Status
Individuals living in more affluent neighborhoods stayed independent for 14 years compared to the 12 years maintained by those experiencing social determinants of health. Continue Reading
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26 Aug 2021
40% of Hospitals Don’t Publish Community Health Needs Assessment
An assessment of 500 randomly selected non-profit hospitals both conducted a community health needs assessment and publicly reported findings. Continue Reading
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25 Aug 2021
Top 3 Challenges to Social Determinants of Health Referrals
Social determinants of health referrals can get beleaguered by limited care coordination and challenges with patient navigation. Continue Reading
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23 Aug 2021
NQF Uses Clinical Quality Measures to Improve Health Equity
NQF will convene industry stakeholders to discuss how to use clinical quality measures to assess health equity, including the logistical challenges to such an endeavor. Continue Reading
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18 Aug 2021
AANA Name Change Sparks Controversy, Patient Safety Concerns
AANA changed its name to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, sparking concern from industry groups that say the change could pose risks to patient safety. Continue Reading
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16 Aug 2021
SNAP Benefits Insufficient to Address Food Insecurity, SDOH
While SNAP effectively reduces food insecurity, a recent study found that a slight increase in benefit amounts was associated with healthier food purchases. Continue Reading
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13 Aug 2021
RI, MA Skilled Nursing Facilities Resolve Discrimination Allegations
Twelve Rhode Island and Massachusetts skilled nursing facilities resolved allegations claiming involvement in discriminatory practices that violated the ADA. Continue Reading
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12 Aug 2021
How Overcoming Language Barriers Improves Primary Care Access
New research showed that overcoming language barriers by connecting patients with providers who speak the same language can boost primary care access and cut ED visits. Continue Reading
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09 Aug 2021
Implicit Bias in Medicine Resulting in Patient Care Access Barriers
Thirty-nine percent of patients experiencing implicit bias in medicine said they handled it by delaying healthcare access next time a need arose. Continue Reading
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05 Aug 2021
5 Steps for Building Community Health Partnerships for Health Equity
Community health partnerships hinge on good relationships between hospitals and social services and shared goals. Continue Reading
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05 Aug 2021
Despite High Spend, US Ranks Lowest on Access to Care, Health Equity
The US ranked last in health equity, access to care, and health outcomes, despite spending the most on healthcare spending compared to other wealthy countries. Continue Reading
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04 Aug 2021
Combatting Social Determinants of Health with Policy Changes
A new report from Trust for America’s Health makes a case for using health equity-focused policy interventions to combat social determinants of health. Continue Reading
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02 Aug 2021
How Automated Patient Outreach Technology Closed Care Gaps
A Mississippi pediatric organization is using automated patient outreach technology to close care gaps and drive vaccine rollout among adolescents. Continue Reading
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30 Jul 2021
SDOH Lead to Care Access Issues and Poor HIV Health Outcomes
HIV patients facing social determinants of health like poverty, lack of health insurance, and minimal education also encounter access issues and poor health outcomes. Continue Reading
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26 Jul 2021
How to Implement Social Determinants of Health Referral Tools
Virginia-based Sentara Health recently employed social determinants of health referral tools that help connect patients to social services. Continue Reading
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23 Jul 2021
Community Health Centers Urge Congress to Invest in Health Equity
Advocates for Community Health, a new coalition of 14 community health centers, are urging Congress to help underserved populations and invest in health equity. Continue Reading
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21 Jul 2021
How Neighborhood Disadvantage Drove COVID Health Disparities
Researchers found neighborhood disadvantage was linked with subway ridership during stay-at-home orders, acting as a proxy for understanding COVID health disparities. Continue Reading
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21 Jul 2021
What CMS’s 2022 OPPS Proposed Rule Means for Health Equity Efforts
The 2022 OPPS proposed rule will narrow in on health equity, patient safety, access to care in rural areas, and improving patient experience and health outcomes. Continue Reading
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19 Jul 2021
Language Barriers Impact Care Access for Elderly Mexican Americans
Language isolation can lead to limited care access, poor health outcomes, and higher mortality rates for elderly Mexican Americans. Continue Reading
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19 Jul 2021
What the 2022 Physician Fee Schedule Pitch Means for Health Equity
In addition to reimbursement program changes, CMS is seeking feedback from alternative payment model participants about health equity efforts. Continue Reading
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13 Jul 2021
What Are Omnichannel Patient Engagement Technologies?
Omnichannel patient engagement technologies include the multimodal systems organizations use to connect with consumers. Continue Reading
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12 Jul 2021
How Convenient Care Access, Scheduling Closes Gaps in Care
Implementing online appointment scheduling and opening up appointment slots during off-hours helped Beacon Health System address COVID-era gaps in care. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Jun 2021
How to Write Open Clinical Notes for a Good Patient Experience
Open clinical notes that are empathic, informative, and rely on objective clinical information are most likely to yield a good patient experience. Continue Reading
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23 Jun 2021
How NIH Uses Community Health Partnership for Participant Engagement
Those community health partnerships help establish trust with traditionally underserved people, helping to drive diversity and participant engagement. Continue Reading
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21 Jun 2021
Key Steps for Opening the Digital Front Door, Digital Transformation
The digital front door is anything but a door. It’s a wraparound patient journey that connects them to care across the continuum. Continue Reading
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09 Jun 2021
Patient Education About Emergency Department Utilization Will Be Key
Emergency department utilization decreases and changes in ED claims assessment draw new concern for patient education about care access. Continue Reading
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08 Jun 2021
4 SDOH Driving Health Disparities in Patient Portal Use
Race, income, geographic location or broadband access, and age can all influence patient portal use rates. Continue Reading
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03 Jun 2021
What Is the Social Vulnerability Index, How Does it Measure SDOH?
The social vulnerability index (SVI) has become a key measure as more healthcare experts consider social determinants of health. Continue Reading
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13 May 2021
Urban Pharmacy Deserts Characterized By Racial Health Disparities
About 40 percent of Black neighborhoods were pharmacy deserts compared to 27 percent of White neighborhoods, underscoring racial health disparities. Continue Reading
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29 Apr 2021
Green Space, Social Determinants of Health Spur Health Disparities
Access to green space helped stave off some COVID-19 racial health disparities, underscoring its importance as a social determinant of health. Continue Reading
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26 Apr 2021
What Is Patient-Generated Health Data, Why Is It Important?
The rise of application programming interfaces, patient data access, and remote monitoring tools could propel patient-generated health data use. Continue Reading
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20 Apr 2021
Would COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates Improve Vaccine Access?
Data shows that half of Americans would OK COVID-19 vaccine mandates, a policy that could have an impact on vaccine access rates. Continue Reading
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15 Apr 2021
Lyft Unveils Non-Emergency Medical Transportation App for Patients
Lyft Pass for Healthcare will allow patients to book their own non-emergency medical transportation while still having it covered by a payer or provider. Continue Reading
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12 Apr 2021
4 Patient Engagement Strategies to Close Patient Care Gaps
As healthcare works toward value-based care, closing care gaps and engaging patients in preventive screening will be essential care management. Continue Reading
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07 Apr 2021
Relaxed Nurse Scope of Practice Boosts Care Access During COVID-19
Nurse anesthetists fulfilled new leadership roles and improved access to care during COVID-19 as scope of practice barriers were put on pause. Continue Reading
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06 Apr 2021
MI Arab Population Faces Health Disparities, SDOH, Food Insecurity
One in three Arab people in the Detroit-Metro area reported food insecurity as a social determinant of health, raising health disparity concerns. Continue Reading
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02 Apr 2021
High Quality Type 2 Diabetes Care Requires Care Coordination
Care coordination for patients with type 2 diabetes leads to higher quality care, but many providers report they lack resources for collaboration. Continue Reading
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31 Mar 2021
HHS Boosts Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for Vulnerable Populations
Nearly $100 million in funding will help to further protect the most vulnerable populations and advance equity by expanding access to COVID-19 vaccines. Continue Reading
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30 Mar 2021
Research Warns Against Too Many Automated Patient Outreach Messages
The data showed the more automated patient outreach messages send, the more likely patients were to hit the unsubscribe button. Continue Reading
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10 Mar 2021
Is the Digital Divide the Newest Social Determinant of Health?
The digital divide fuels and is fueled by other leading social determinants of health, ultimately having an impact on patient wellness and health equity. Continue Reading
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03 Mar 2021
Inside Wake Forest’s Health Equity, SDOH Medical School Program
The health equity curriculum improved self-reported understanding of social determinants of health by about a third, researchers found. Continue Reading
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01 Mar 2021
Strategies to Address Housing as a Social Determinant of Health
Healthcare organizations can use a three-tiered strategy to address housing quality as a social determinant of health. Continue Reading
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18 Feb 2021
Black Maternal Health Disparities Bill Gets Renewed Push in 2021
The Black Maternal Momnibus Act of 2021 added language about COVID-19’s impact on black maternal health disparities. Continue Reading
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16 Feb 2021
Why Poor Diversity in Medical Research Threatens Health Equity
Community partnership and cultural competence will be essential for driving clinical trial diversity and health equity. Continue Reading
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03 Feb 2021
Bill Zeros in on Health Equity, Racism as Public Health Crisis
The bill would tap the CDC to address racism as a public health crisis and establish an office investigating health equity and disparities. Continue Reading
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21 Jan 2021
Community-Based Health Program Reduces Infant Mortality Rates
The program has lowered infant mortality rates in at-risk communities by mitigating racial health disparities and social determinants of health. Continue Reading
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18 Jan 2021
Social Determinants of Health Disparities Emerge for Lung Cancer
Social determinants of health such as race, sex, income level, and insurance type contribute to health disparities in lung cancer health outcomes. Continue Reading
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13 Jan 2021
What Is the Healthcare Cost of Racial Health Disparities, Inequity?
A new assessment in Texas found that racial health disparities are running up a bill of $7.7 billion in excess healthcare spending and lost productivity. Continue Reading
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05 Jan 2021
Mass. Law Expands Nurse Scope of Practice, Patient Access to Care
The legislation expands scope of practice for nurse practitioners, something Governor Charlie Baker said will improve patient access to care. Continue Reading
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04 Jan 2021
Behind the Scenes of Epic’s User-Centered Patient Portal Redesign
Epic's newly redesigned patient portal features a user-centered design that reflects changes in how patients want to interact with their health tech. Continue Reading
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31 Dec 2020
How Is Artificial Intelligence Shaping Patient Engagement Tools?
Artificial intelligence is finding its place with patient engagement tools, helping to personalize an efficient patient experience. Continue Reading
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11 Dec 2020
4 Ways Smartphones Improve Patient Engagement, Activation
Providers must make use of technology that increases patient engagement through smartphones. Continue Reading
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04 Dec 2020
How Healthcare Is Starting to Heal Damaged Black Patient Trust
A history of racism in medicine and implicit bias tainting patient-provider communication has resulted in a significant barrier to Black patient trust. Continue Reading
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18 Nov 2020
Racial Health Disparities Worsened Over 20-Year Period
New research showed that racial health disparities between Black and White or Hispanic and White patients grew since the new millennium. Continue Reading
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16 Nov 2020
Do Sanctuary Hospitals Boost Undocumented Patient Access to Care?
A health system in a sanctuary city avoided some of the undocumented patient access to care challenges before and after immigration enforcement events. Continue Reading
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10 Nov 2020
Nurse Practitioners Challenge AMA on Practice Authority, Care Access
AANP published an open letter to AMA pushing the organization on its stance on nurse practitioner practice authority and patient care access. Continue Reading
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19 Oct 2020
What Providers Must Know About Patient Access to Clinical Notes
The patient access to clinical notes mandate in the 21st Century Cures Act will go into effect on November 2, 2020. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Oct 2020
How Do Social Determinants of Health Affect Patient Wellness?
Different social determinants of health affect patient wellness by limiting patient access to key health and lifestyle resources. Continue Reading
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06 Oct 2020
Making the Case for Expanded Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice
Industry leaders lay out the case for nurse practitioner scope of practice, citing COVID-19 as a key case study in NP practice authority. Continue Reading
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08 Sep 2020
What Patient Demographics Use Patient Portal Appointment Scheduling?
Those using the patient portal for online appointment scheduling skew younger and Whiter, leading experts to be concerned about care access equity. Continue Reading
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08 Sep 2020
Why Teamwork Is Key to Addressing Social Determinants of Health
Healthcare organizations setting out on a social determinants of health program must rely on community partners to effectively meet patient needs. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Aug 2020
“First Do No Harm:” Combatting Black Maternal Health Disparities
Decades of health inequities have led to stark, and worsening, black maternal health disparities. Continue Reading
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10 Aug 2020
What is the Difference Between Health Disparities, Equity?
Health disparities refer to the differences in outcomes or disease burden between disparate groups; lack of health equity is what caused those differences. Continue Reading
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30 Jul 2020
GA Scope of Practice Bill Sparks Debate About APRNs
The bill would expand scope of practice for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and has drawn dissent from some areas of the industry. Continue Reading
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27 Jul 2020
Understanding Barriers, Gaps in Women’s Primary Care Quality
Researchers said policy, care delivery models, and social determinants of health impact quality for women's primary care. Continue Reading
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22 Jul 2020
Why Nurse Practitioners Are Pivotal in Health Equity Work
Nurse practitioners have the tools to be instrumental in health equity work, but need regulatory support to utilize those tools. Continue Reading
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16 Jun 2020
The Difference Between Community Health, Community-Based Health
Community health and community-based health are two related population health strategies with inherently different delivery mechanisms. Continue Reading
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27 Mar 2020
How Coronavirus Sparked Industry Collaboration, Team-Based Care
As the nation contends with an unprecedented global health crisis, clinicians are meeting the moment with never before seen levels of team-based care and industry collaboration. Continue Reading
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11 Mar 2020
How Rurality, Social Determinants of Health Affect Care Access
New data suggests rurality and social determinants of health are intrinsically linked, which could prompt a new look at care access. Continue Reading
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28 Feb 2020
Travel Times Still a Challenge for Rural Health, Access Disparities
Some rural-dwelling breast cancer patients saw 40.8 miles of travel to radiation treatment, underscoring a key problem with rural health. Continue Reading
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24 Jan 2020
Smart Hospitals Making the Future of Patient Experience a Reality
Smart hospital rooms might look like something out of the future, but they are slowly bringing a modernized patient experience to the present. Continue Reading
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16 Jan 2020
Preventive Care Access, Health Disparities Require Second Look
More information is necessary to understand the relationship between the social determinants of health and preventive care access. Continue Reading
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14 Jan 2020
How Income Inequality Affects Health Equity, Patient Experiences
A new RWJF report showed that income inequality can hamper health equity, limiting low-income healthcare access and overall wellness. Continue Reading
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06 Jan 2020
How to Manage Secure Direct Messages, Patient Portal Inboxes
Clinicians are developing workarounds to manage patient portal inboxes as secure direct message guidelines remain elusive for patients. Continue Reading
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06 Jan 2020
Patient-Centered Tips to Cut Emergency Department Overutilization
Supporting low-acuity care sites, driving patient education, and promoting primary care coordination may cut down on emergency department overutilization. Continue Reading
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02 Jan 2020
Does Hospital Religious Affiliation Impact Patient Access to Care?
Few patients check religious affiliation when accessing care, but most believe their choices supersede hospital religious objections. Continue Reading
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02 Jan 2020
Who Are the Key Players in Social Determinants of Health Strategy?
As healthcare organizations continue to target the social determinants of health, they must collaborate with other key players to deliver on programs. Continue Reading
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26 Dec 2019
How Food Security Programs Target Social Determinants of Health
Food security programs have come to the forefront as key strategies for addressing the social determinants of health. Continue Reading
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04 Dec 2019
Supporting Nurses to Address the Social Determinants of Health
Nurses need access to adequate education, ample care team members, and community-based resources to address the social determinants of health. Continue Reading
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19 Nov 2019
Assessing Patient Health Literacy for Improved Outcomes, Safety
Health literacy can boost patient outcomes and safety, but providers need to ask the right questions to assess how much patients know about their medical conditions. Continue Reading
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19 Sep 2019
Understanding the Future of Patient Engagement Technologies
Organizations need to tap on-demand, connected, and data-driven patient engagement technologies as they look to the future. Continue Reading
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30 Aug 2019
How Mobile Health Clinics Drive Care to Vulnerable Patients
The mobile health clinic makes a community-based care option for those who otherwise would face extraordinary social challenges accessing care. Continue Reading
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22 Aug 2019
6 Patient Engagement Technologies that Improve Clinic Operations
Patient portals, appointment reminders, and data analytics rank among some of the top patient engagement technologies supporting patient-centered care. Continue Reading
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07 Aug 2019
Key Barriers Limiting Patient Access to Mental Healthcare
Despite patient interest, access to mental healthcare is left wanting due to limited clinician availability and cultural stigma. Continue Reading
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01 Aug 2019
Should Clinical Trials Account for Social Determinants of Health?
Patients receiving care in low-income areas can have poorer health outcomes, suggesting that social determinants of health can sway clinical trials. Continue Reading
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22 Jul 2019
Why Technology is Essential to Community Health Partnerships, SDOH
At Allina Health, technology helped the health system connect with community health partnerships and build out SDOH programming. Continue Reading
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01 Jul 2019
Strategies for Adolescent Patient Engagement, Teen Autonomy
Medical providers must establish a plan for driving teen autonomy and patient engagement as they transition to adult healthcare. Continue Reading
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24 May 2019
Using Social Determinants of Health to Drive Medication Adherence
Programs to address the social determinants of health have the potential to improve medication adherence rates. Continue Reading
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15 May 2019
Understanding Provider Screening for Social Determinants of Health
Healthcare professionals are beginning to identify viable provider screening protocol for detecting the social determinants of health. Continue Reading
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01 May 2019
Long Wait Times in Dermatology Harm Patient Experience, Safety
Ninety percent of patients said their conditions worsened during long wait times for a dermatology appointment. Continue Reading
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18 Mar 2019
How Healthcare Organizations Drive Homeless Patient Care Access
Addressing root causes of homelessness will be key to driving patient care access with this population. Continue Reading
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26 Feb 2019
3 Top Strategies to Address the Social Determinants of Health
Healthcare experts are turning to housing security, food access, and transportation interventions to address social determinants of health. Continue Reading
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30 Jan 2019
Wilkie: VA Care Access Standards Boost Quality, Not Privatization
VA Secretary Wilkie addressed concerns about VA privatization, the MISSION Act, and patient care access standards in a recent statement. Continue Reading
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07 Nov 2018
How Do Mobile Health Clinics Impact Patient Access to Care?
Mobile health clinics can drive better healthcare outcomes, promote value-based care, and improve patient access to care. Continue Reading
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11 Oct 2018
Gag Clause Bills Signed into Law, Improves Healthcare Transparency
The new laws will prohibit gag clauses, helping to improve healthcare transparency and combat high out-of-pocket patient costs. Continue Reading
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08 Oct 2018
Nurse Staffing Ratios Tied to High Costs, Patient Safety Savings
A Massachusetts Health Policy Commission report found that the nurse staffing ratios ballot question, if passed, could yield high costs for the Commonwealth. Continue Reading
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26 Sep 2018
How Does the Opioids Bill Address Patient Consent, Medical Records?
Industry professionals are debating patient consent, privacy, and medical records sharing in light of the recent opioids bill. Continue Reading
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17 Sep 2018
NPs, PAs Could Reduce Primary Care Physician Shortage Nearly 70%
NPs and PAs have potential to fill primary care physician care gaps. When scope of practice is expanded, non-physician clinicians can address patient care access. Continue Reading