Industry Insight

Clinical Decision Tools in EMRs Can Reduce
Childhood Radiation Exposure

Childhood exposure to ionizing radiation increases lifetime malignancy risk, but a team of researchers has found that with just a little bit of education, the risk can be significantly reduced. Currently, up to 40% of CT scans are ordered unnecessarily for those of all ages. The study, “Point-of-Care Estimated Radiation Exposure and Imaging Guidelines Can Reduce Pediatric Radiation Burden,” appears in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.

Researchers from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, National Library of Medicine, and Clemson University, led by Air Force Major Christopher W. Bunt, MC, FAAFP, an assistant professor in the department of family medicine at USU’s F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, conducted a study of 115 physicians from 17 military family medicine training programs to determine whether the clinical decision support system, which encompasses a variety of tools to enhance decision-making in the clinical workflow, and the order in which decision-support information is presented would impact physician imaging choices.

The increased use of CT may unnecessarily expose children to ionizing radiation. Risks associated with radiation exposure are greater in children due to their longer lifespan and greater radiosensitivity. Given the need to weigh risk and benefit prior to a medical test, physicians need to better understand doses of radiation associated with common imaging modalities. Although imaging guidelines and clinical decision support systems have been developed to improve appropriate use of medical imaging, these initiatives have been inconsistently adopted and are largely unavailable for children.

Using an American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria pediatric clinical scenario, researchers examined how decision support in the form of estimated radiation exposure coupled with current imaging guidelines provided in the EMR just before they made their decision influenced family physician selection of pediatric imaging modalities. Participants were broken into two groups: those who reviewed the ACR Criteria and then radiation exposure information and those who received radiation exposure information and then the ACR criteria.

— Source: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Saince Wins Recognition for Its Impressive Growth

Saince, a clinic documentation technology and services company, was recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in Atlanta by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. In order to qualify for the 2015 Pacesetter Award, companies had to experience trailblazing growth within a two-year period. They also had to be established in the first quarter of 2012 or earlier while experiencing a rapid growth in sales of more than 50%, and acquire revenue between $1 million and $300 million in 2014. This is the third time Saince achieved this prestigious status.

“We are honored to be selected for the Pacesetter Award,” says Raghu Vir, president of Saince. “For over a decade that we have been in existence our goal has been to create value for our customers by providing cutting-edge technology, outstanding quality, and superior customer service. With a healthy combination of these three elements we are confident of our growth in the future as well.” In this fiercely competitive market, more than 75 hospitals have chosen Saince as their partner for meeting their clinical documentation technology and services needs in the last 18 months. Saince also has a significant pipeline of new solutions and services that are ready for launch in the clinical documentation space.

— Source: Saince

MBA Program Caters to Professionals
Focused on Career Advancement

American Sentinel University, an accredited, career-focused online university, announces one of the industry’s first Master of Business Administration (MBA) Healthcare project-based programs designed to be responsive to the needs of working health care professionals who want to develop the practical business skills and management expertise needed to advance their careers and lead the health care revolution.

American Sentinel’s MBA Healthcare is a Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)-approved pilot project-based program. The program is aligned with President Obama’s higher education agenda for colleges to embrace innovative ways to prepare students for the 21st-century economy.

“American Sentinel’s MBA Healthcare is an outstanding example of a project-based program designed to prepare students and employers for the future,” says Leah Matthews, executive director at the DEAC. “American Sentinel exemplifies excellence in teaching and learning through quality faculty, seasoned academic coaches, and flexible, innovative learning outcomes, which are aligned to provide the forward-thinking and effective management skills business executives need to lead health care into the 21st century.”

For more information about the Project-based MBA Healthcare at American Sentinel, visit www.americansentinel.edu/management/mba-healthcare/mba-hc-projectbased.

— Source: American Sentinel University