Lee D. Eisenberg

Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records in Otolaryngology Recommendations from the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Medical Informatics Committee

Under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, passed as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the US Congress implemented new regulations to encourage the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs). The federal government will expend up to

Extracts from The Cochrane Library: Nasal saline irrigations for the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis.

27 billion in incentive payments to physicians and hospitals to increase adoption and implement “meaningful use” of EHRs. Otolaryngologists may receive as much as

2012 Update on Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records Recommendations from the AAO-HNS Medical Informatics Committee

44 000 under Medicare or

Pediatric Tonsillectomy after the Black Box: Strategies for Keeping Our Patients Safe and Comfortable

63 750 under Medicaid as part of this law. In July 2010, the US Department of Health and Human Services announced final rules to support “meaningful use.” This commentary discusses recommendations from the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Medical Informatics Committee for implementing “meaningful use” of EHRs to improve safety, quality, and efficiency of patient care and receiving incentive payments as defined by these new regulations.

Using Social Media in Medicine

The “Cochrane Corner” is a quarterly section in the journal that highlights systematic reviews relevant to otolaryngology–head and neck surgery, with invited commentary to highlight implications for clinical decision-making. This installment features a Cochrane Review entitled “Nasal saline irrigations for the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis,” which shows that saline irrigations are well-tolerated and could be included as a treatment adjunct for the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis.

EHR/EMR and “Meaningful Use”: Efficient Strategies to Comply with Current and Future Mandates

In 2011, the US federal government implemented an oversight program to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs). Otolaryngologists may receive as much as

Applying PSQI: Metrics and More:

44,000 under Medicare or

Business of Medicine Academy Advocacy for Physician Payment: New Strategies

63,750 under Medicaid as part of this law. To receive this full benefit, otolaryngologists must acquire a certified EHR and demonstrate stage 1 meaningful use requirements by the end of 2012. Furthermore, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT intends to advance meaningful use requirements to stage 2 (estimated to go in effect in 2014) and stage 3 requirements. This commentary discusses updated recommendations from the Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Medical Informatics Committee for implementing meaningful use of EHRs, receiving incentive payments, and preparing for potential stage 2 and stage 3 requirements.

Improved Reimbursement in Your Practice

Program Description: This panel format miniseminar will provide perspectives on best practices in care of the pediatric tonsillectomy patient with regard to anesthetic practices, criteria for admission, and pain management. The goals of the presentation are to provide guidelines for safe and effective pain management, raise awareness regarding “red flags” in children who may require advanced anesthesia expertise, and propose algorithms for identifying and managing those children who may be at high risk for complications. Educational Objectives: (1) Provide safe and effective nonnarcotic postoperative pain management in pediatric tonsillectomy patients. (2) Identify children at increased risk for posttonsillectomy complications. (3) Recognize patients who will most benefit from the expertise of a pediatric anesthesiologist and/or a higher level of postoperative care.

Multiresistant Bacterial Infections in 2013

Program Description: Social media has moved from an emerging technology to a mainstay of our patients’ lives. The panelists consist of speakers at the forefront of the social media field in otolaryngology in both academic and private arenas. This talk will demonstrate how social media has already been incorporated in the medical marketplace and future applications. We will discuss strategies for how physicians can incorporate this into their academic/private practices. Common pitfalls encountered in assimilating social media into your practice will be described. Additionally, we will discuss the inherent medico-legal risk and ethical considerations associated with these endeavors. Educational Objectives: 1) Discuss how social media affects medicine today. 2) Describe methods to use social media to help build/maintain your practice in an academic and private arena. 3) Apply the best uses of social media to interact with and educate your patients while being aware of the medico-legal implications.