• Healthcare IT

Afua Aning, Owner
My Just Checking In, LLC

My Just Checking In is a physician-operated IT consulting firm with in-depth knowledge and expertise in Epic, Cerner, Meditech, and other electronic health record (EHR) systems.

Certified:  SBA WOSB; Federal SDB; State of IL WBE;

STORY TITLE:
"Innovating Healthcare IT: The Visionary Approach of My Just Checking In"

Company Overview: Launched in 2018, My Just Checking In is a physician-operated IT consulting firm specializing in healthcare information technology. Their team of subject matter experts brings over 20 years of hands-on experience in healthcare IT, making them a trusted partner for both federal and private sector clients. MJCI expertise covers the full spectrum of electronic health record (EHR) systems, including Epic, Cerner, Meditech, and other leading platforms. They have spearheaded successful EHR implementations and consulting engagements at some of the most prestigious medical facilities in the United States, including Emory Healthcare, Tufts Medical Center, Yale University Medical Center, and Madigan Army Medical Center.

What Sets Them Apart:

• Industry-Leading Consultants:
  Their team is comprised of the most talented and experienced consultants in the healthcare IT industry. They take pride in delivering exceptional results with a lean approach—requiring fewer personnel on-site, which translates to significant cost savings for our clients. This efficiency also enhances continuity and ensures that our projects consistently exceed expectations.
   
• Proven Experience:
  With decades of experience, the consultants have developed a deep understanding of the healthcare ecosystem. They excel at working collaboratively across complex organizations, ensuring seamless integration and execution of IT projects. Their expertise enables them to navigate the unique challenges of both large-scale federal projects and intricate private-sector initiatives.
   
• Tailored Solutions:
  MJCI recognize that every healthcare organization is unique, with its own set of challenges and objectives. Their approach is highly flexible, allowing them to customize their solutions to meet the specific needs of each client. Whether it’s optimizing existing systems or implementing new technologies, they deliver solutions that are aligned with the clients' goals.
   
• Performance-Driven Results:
  Success is measured by the success of the clients. MJCI is committed to delivering performance-driven results that not only meet but surpass clients' goals. This is achieved through meticulous scoping, strategic planning, and a strong governance model that ensures projects are delivered on time, within budget, and with the highest quality.
   
• Peer-to-Peer Training:
  MJCI offers unique peer-to-peer training programs led by clinicians who have advanced IT experience. This ensures that your staff receives training that is both relevant and practical, enhancing their ability to effectively use EHR systems and other healthcare technologies.
   
• Customer Service Excellence:
  At My Just Checking In, customer service is not just a department—it’s a cornerstone of their business dedicated to providing a service-oriented experience that ensures their clients feel supported and valued at every stage of the project. Commitment to excellent customer service fosters long-term partnerships and sustained client satisfaction.
   
• Best Practices for Revenue Cycle Improvement:
  My Just Checking In, employs industry best practices to help healthcare organizations improve their revenue cycle, increase cash flow, reduce operational costs, and resolve common challenges. This holistic approach ensures that financial performance is optimized without compromising patient care.
   
• Value-Driven Offerings:
  We believe that high-quality services should be accessible to organizations of all sizes. Our value-driven offerings are designed to accommodate a range of budgets, ensuring that even smaller healthcare providers can benefit from our expertise without compromising on quality.
   
• Innovative Solutions for Healthcare Organizations:
  Innovation is at the heart of what they do. They develop and implement cutting-edge solutions that drive efficiency and enhance patient care. Focus on innovation ensures that clients are always at the forefront of healthcare technology, with solutions that are both scalable and adaptable.
   
• EHR Optimization:
  Our seasoned staff’s deep clinical knowledge enables us to optimize EHR systems holistically. They conduct thorough assessments to identify areas within your EHR that may not be performing optimally and provide actionable recommendations to enhance functionality, streamline workflows, and improve patient outcomes.

• Small Business Development Center (SBDC): The Healthcare IT group first connected with their local SBDC to receive guidance on forming the business. The SBDC provided essential resources, including business registration assistance, market research, and initial business planning.
• APEX Accelerator: Recognizing the importance of government contracting, the group also reached out to an APEX Accelerator. The Accelerator assisted with the certification process and assisted in navigating the complex world of government procurement, offering valuable insights on how to position themselves for success in this highly competitive market.

• With the guidance of both the SBDC and APEX Accelerator, the Healthcare IT group developed a comprehensive strategic plan. This plan outlined their mission, vision, and business goals, with a specific focus on the healthcare sector.
• The plan included market analysis, competitive positioning, and a roadmap for growth. Key components were:
  • Target Market Identification: Identifying clinics, hospitals, and teaching universities as initial target clients.
  • Service Offerings: Focusing on teaching these healthcare institutions how to maximize the use of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, particularly EPIC, a leading EHR platform.

• Armed with their strategic plan and WOSB certifications, the Healthcare IT group began outreach to their target market:
  • Educational Workshops and Seminars: They offered educational workshops and seminars to clinics, hospitals, and teaching universities, focusing on the optimization of EHR systems like EPIC.
  • Tailored Solutions: The group developed tailored solutions for these institutions, helping them streamline operations, improve patient care, and enhance data management through effective use of EHR technology.

• The group's long-term objective was to secure contracts with veterans hospitals. Their strategic plan included steps to build relationships with these institutions, demonstrate their expertise, and position themselves as a preferred vendor.
• Targeted Outreach: They planned targeted outreach campaigns, leveraging their WOSB status and proven track record with other healthcare institutions to make inroads with veterans hospitals.
• Continuous Improvement: The group committed to continuous improvement and innovation in their offerings, ensuring they stayed at the forefront of EHR technology and could meet the evolving needs of veterans hospitals.

• Healthcare IT
• EHR
• CMIO
• physician informatics
• medicine

• healthcare IT
• EHR
• Allscripts
• Cerner
• Epic
• AI

Fun fact: the first recorded use of electric stimulation to ease pain was in...get ready…CE 46! That’s right, nearly 2,000 years ago, ancient Roman writer Scribonius Largus described the use of torpedo fish, aquatic animals capable of electrical discharge, to heal. This system is still as common in healthcare settings as a conventional TENS Unit (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). Similarly, many healthcare IT innovations (technological innovation, generally) are primarily foundation technologies updated to be used in powerful new ways. (Thankfully, fish are, based on my research, NOT involved in any technology roadmaps.)

The current age of healthcare innovation is being colored by new partnerships and cooperative agreements to meet changing consumer needs.  Allscripts is jumping in deep with healthcare innovation by partnering with Microsoft cloud technology to develop a robust internet-based storage solution. This alliance allows both companies co-innovation opportunities. Allscripts aims to prioritize interoperability and data sharing of health information to be done securely while enhancing the patient experience and participating in value-based care reimbursement. Microsoft benefits from entering the healthcare IT space while minimizing risk by working with a known brand.

Furthermore, Allscripts has obtained several patents that will enhance and improve accessibility and delivery.  One patent is a patient monitoring application that allows care teams and patients to interact directly via the electronic health records (EHR) messaging portal.  Care providers have direct access to monitor patients' overall health, such as vital trends. Treatment teams can be automatically alerted when specific parameters are exceeded, allowing faster and more efficient care; patients will have the option to communicate their vital readings, such as glucose and blood pressure, to their healthcare providers. Again, improved quality of care while decreasing payer costs. 

Apple is also making waves in the healthcare IT arena with its mobile health platform. Consumers can access their health records directly from their iPhone or Apple Watch to keep track of healthcare vitals that can be automatically updated into a health system's EHRs.  Apple Health app allows easy access to patients’ medical records from multiple providers whenever they choose. Plus, the health records data is encrypted and protected with the user’s device passcode.

Epic Systems has announced its intention to integrate artificial intelligence/voice recognition features in its next-generation EHR. This would improve healthcare providers with increased writing efficiency. Think of an Amazon Alexa for your EHR. Cerner is making strides in pricing transparency and revenue cycle to make healthcare more cost-effective and personalize the cost of care more to consumers.

Companies have made multiple attempts in the past to develop healthcare technologies that allow people to use medical services from home. But, adoption has been a struggle. The issue has always been consumer demand for such tech. Covid-19 has changed all that, and in October of 2020, new services are paid for by insurance and Medicare. This has changed the technology drivers and created new enthusiasm and revenue streams for healthcare technology companies.

• healthcare IT
• Work from Home

COVID-19 ushered in the work from home (WFH) revolution. What was once a rarity among a select group is quickly redefining our future workforce.

The new reality of work from home has been welcomed by most who find it has positively improved their quality of life. However, remote work has complicated some boundaries between work lives and personal lives. It has redefined how we work, how we communicate with our colleagues, the tools we use to work, times we spend working, and restructured our overall working environment and commute.

An overlooked part of the new work from home world has been occupational health. Working in an orthopedic office chair with a table at the correct height contrasts from working at a kitchen table cluttered with yesterday's mail. Likewise, sharing a workplace with a secretary is different from sharing office space with a fussy toddler.

Next, let's talk about working dynamics with co-workers. Working from home has replaced water-cooler chats, which enforced company culture and boosted employee morale.

We can all benefit from the fact that WFH is now more common, but it is not new. We have over 25 years of research that we can look back on regarding this work style.

Most research has come out of Canada and Europe, where the regulatory environment is more comprehensive. For example, in Quebec, Canada, the government specifies companies' responsibilities to provide ergonomic desks and chairs for work from home employees. Quebec WFH workers are entitled to the same benefits as in-office employees in case of work-based injuries.

Make work from home more ergonomic

As mentioned previously, many people do not have the proper office chairs, and work for extended periods in an improper atmosphere or compromised position, which can significantly impact your body and overall health. It is imperative to invest in the right chair and desk for your setup.

It would help if you were looking for a chair with adjustable features such as seat height, armrest and enough cushioning. Your monitor should be just below eye level.

Short breaks also help you. Often, when we work at home, we are consumed with daily tasks, and we do not find time to take quick breaks. Make it a point to set a timer that will go off every 50 minutes. Get up and walk, adding exercise to your daily routine.

What happens when you return to work?

Workers returning to an office may find that their workspace has dramatically changed. Desks will be further apart, and common areas will not be the same. Some offices will require temperature checks for employees for an extended period.

There is even thermal imaging technology, which will enable companies to scan large groups of employees entering the facility during the day. Real-time observation, alarming, and recording of body temperature will occur.

Some workers may find themselves in a more flexible work environment than what they had before COVID-19. Employees have become used to accommodating their family responsibilities over the last year.

Employers get to decide how the new workplace will be organized, especially regarding the lives of essential employees. However, they will also find that a strict workplace will make it harder to recruit the best employees who expect more.

Dr. Aning is the founder and president of My Just Checking In. The team has over 20 years of expertise and knowledge to help health care organizations improve their efficiency and profitability. Our staff can help transform your EHR implementation from a source of frustration to a successful and productive tool. Dr. Darrin Miller contributed to this article.

https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20210615/invest-in-proper-office-equipment-at-home