Following a keynote address from Christyl Johnson of the National Science & Technology Council, the 2009 Women’s Congressional Broadband Summit continued yesterday with a presentation by Dr. Karen Rheuban on the benefits of broadband to patients and healthcare providers. Dr. Rheuban is the President of the American Telemedicine Association and is the Medical Director of the Office of Telemedicine at University of Virginia. Click below to watch the address Dr. Rheuban shared with legislators and a quick interview with NextGenWeb!
Some important takeaways:
Telemedicine is a key tool for remote monitoring, time sensitive care for health issues like strokes and maternal/fetal care — just to name a few!
We need to align policies of broadband and health care because they need to be seamless, integrated, and most importantly, mainstream health care.
Telemedicine would not be possible without broadband – video and other forms of communication require access to robust high-speed networks.
NextGenWeb just wrapped up its third year of participation with the Center for Connected Health’s Annual Symposium – which focuses on the integration of technology and health care. Timely conversation on a couple different fronts as both health care and Internet policy are hot topics in Washington these days.
We were fortunate to spend some time today with Dr. Joe Kvedar, the Director of the Center for Connected Health in Boston. We touched on the Net neutrality issue and also spoke of the need for continued integration of technology into America’s health care system. Check out the video below – and be sure to read Dr. Kvedar’s comment submitted to the Washington Post recently on how he feels regarding increased regulation of the Internet vis-à-vis robust connected health platforms.
When you hear “health care,” not too long ago broadband wouldn’t likely be the first thing that came to mind. Had you attended the Health Care Interoperability session at this year’s Center for Connected Health Symposium perhaps it would. Rajeev Kapoor, Vice President & Managing Director at Verizon gave a compelling presentation on Verizon’s network – and the broadband-enabled health care apps associated with it – and how both are key components to a more efficient system. It was hard not to listen intently since the presentation started with a statistic that says 100,000 people die each year from unnecessary medical errors. This is serious business. Kapoor also referenced more than once how Verizon’s Chairman, Ivan Seidenberg, also Chairman of the Business Roundtable, is working with the Obama Administration to help integrate technology into an overall effort aimed at revolutionizing a heavily outdated health care delivery network. Verizon is serious about playing a role in bringing patients – and health care providers – a better system.
We caught up with Rajeev after the session to discuss these and other matters. Be sure to check out our chat below.
As the health care debate continues, we were fortunate to spend some time with Tim Olivier, who has more than 20 years of experience in the health care industry. As Chief Operating Officer of the Healthcare Industry Group at Perot Systems, Mr. Oliver talked with us about the critical role broadband plays in improving the quality of care for patients while lowering costs for the system. To learn more about the Mass Connector, visit their website by clicking here.
The FCC is in the process of accepting comments from the public as they work to develop a national broadband strategy. NextGenWeb is committed to sharing the diverse stories of those who are utilizing American’s broadband networks to improve their communities and our quality of life. Please click on the links below to learn more about how broadband is connecting doctors and patients, expanding opportunities for minorities and people with disabilities, and revolutionizing the way people live, work and communicate.
Rob Atkinson, President and CEO, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
In Rob’s interview with NextGenWeb, he discusses the role that broadband plays in enhancing innovation in many different industries. Rob calls broadband “a revolution” and points out the significance it will have to helping American come out of the economic downturn by stimulating innovation in sectors such as energy, education, the environment and healthcare.
Rob Atkinson is President and CEO of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF). ITIF is a think-tank whose mission is to formulate and promote public policies to advance technological innovation and productivity internationally, in Washington, and in the states.
To listen to Rob’s interview with NextGenWeb, click here
To read the full ITIF NOI filing to the FCC, click here
Leroy Watson, Legislative Director, The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry
In Leroy’s interview with NextGenWeb, he discusses the importance of broadband to rural Americans, paying special attention to the increased coverage and access to quality healthcare that broadband networks provide to these rural communities.
Leroy Watson is Legislative Director for the National Grange. The National Grange is the nation’s oldest general farm and rural public interest organization whose mission is to provide opportunities for individuals and families to develop to their highest potential in order to build stronger communities and states, as well as a stronger nation.
To listen to Leroy’s interview with NextGenWeb, click here
To read part one of the National Grange’s NOI filing to the FCC, click here
To read part two of the National Grange’s NOI filing to the FCC, click here
Claude Stout, Executive Director, Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc.
Click here to read a blog submitted by Claude discussing the importance of a national broadband plan to improving the lives of people with hearing loss.
Dr. Elizabeth Cowboy, Medical Director eCare-ICU Via Christi Health System
In her interview with NextGenWeb, Dr. Cowboy discusses how broadband networks are essential to the life-saving telemedicine programs utilized by the health care practitioners at the Via Christi Health System in Kansas. Dr. Cowboy also discusses how TeleICU is an important tool for achieving needed health care reform by providing the right care at the right time in the right place.
Via Christi Health System combines a century-old tradition of compassionate care with today’s leading edge technology to offer quality care with less pain and faster recovery for patients. Our outpatient surgery and imaging centers and home medical services offer quality care and convenience. Our innovative senior living communities and programs help seniors remain at home longer and live more independently even as their needs may change. Preferred Health Systems helps businesses provide an important employee benefit while containing healthcare costs
To listen to Dr. Cowboy’s Interview with NextGenWeb, click here.
To read the full Via Christi Health System filing to the FCC, click here.
Jennifer Simpson, Senior Director of Government Affairs with American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
In her interview with NextGenWeb, Jennifer discusses the types of broadband applications that have unique advantages for people with disabilities. Jennifer also discusses Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology recent NOI filing to the FCC which advocates that all members of the target population should have access to broadband in a manner that is effective, accessible, and affordable.
Jennifer Simpson is the Senior Director of Government Affairs with American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). AAPD is the country’s largest cross-disability membership organization, organizes the disability community to be a powerful voice for change – politically, economically, and socially. AAPD was founded in 1995 to help unite the diverse community of people with disabilities, including their family, friends and supporters, and to be a national voice for change in implementing the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
To listen to Jennifer’s Interview with NextGenWeb, click here.
To read the full Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology NOI filing to the FCC, click here.
Floyd Mori, National Executive Director of the Japanese American Citizens League
In his interview with NextGenWeb, Floyd discusses the benefits of broadband to Japanese American citizens in order to increase economic opportunities, civic involvement, and job growth. Floyd also discussed the importance of private sector investment to ensure that all Americans have access to broadband.
Floyd Mori is the National Executive Director of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). The JACL is the oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization in the United States. The JACL monitors and responds to issues that enhance or threaten the civil and human rights of all Americans and implements strategies to effect positive social change, particularly to the Asian Pacific American community.
To listen to Floyd’s Interview with NextGenWeb, click here
To read the full Japanese American Citizens League NOI filing to the FCC, click here
Neal Neuberger, President of Health Tech Strategies
In Neal’s podcast Interview with NextGenWeb, Neal discusses the fundamental role broadband networks play in the life-saving broadband applications health care practitioners utilize to provide 21st century health care solutions.
Neal Neuberger is the President of Health Tech Strategies and was recently selected as the first executive director of the HIMSS Foundation’s Institute for e-Health Policy. The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Foundation launched the new Institute for e-Health Policy in May 2008 to provide critical educational opportunities in the Washington, D.C., area for public- and private-sector stakeholders who both make, and are impacted by, e-health policy decisions.
To listen to Neal’s Interview with NextGenWeb, click here
To read the full Health Tech Strategies NOI filing to the FCC, click here
Harry Alford, Co-Founder, President and CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce
In Harry’s interview with NextGenWeb, he discusses how the power of broadband can transform a community, increase opportunity and solve critical social issues through job creation and increased access to health care and education. He also cautions against divisive policy debates that would slow and distract from efforts to make sure every American can take advantage of broadband’s diverse benefits. Harry said it best, “Universal broadband is too important to our country to let deployment get bogged down with debates about policy issues that cannot be resolved immediately and will only slow the deployment of new broadband technology.”
Harry Alford is the co-founder, president and CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC). The NBCC is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity within the United States.
To listen to Harry’s interview with NextGenWeb, click here
To read the full National Black Chamber of Commerce NOI filing to the FCC, click here
On Thursday, July 23 the National Health IT Collaborative for the Underserved (NHIT) held a Capitol Hill briefing on opportunities for involvement and provided legislative recommendations for addressing the role of health IT in health reform.
NHIT is a multi-organization group dedicated to eliminating health disparities in underserved populations through the use of health information technology.
Click below to watch archived footage from the event.
On Thursday July 16, Amplify Public Affairs, Clinovations Creative Health Solutions and Ozmosis hosted a series of panel discussions titled “Driving the Adoption of Health IT through Innovations in Social Media”. Click below to watch full archived footage from the various panels.
Setting the Stage
H1N1 Influenza: How Social Media Improves Communication and Collaboration for Public Health
Drug and Food Safety in the Age of Social Media and Transparency
Electronic Health Records: Using Social Media to Drive Health IT Adoption
Exciting developments on the health IT frontier were in the spotlight at today’s Institute for e-Health Policy event titled “Progress Toward a Nationwide Health Information Network: Linking Agency-Held data Now – Providing Patients with Secure Access to Government-Held Personal Information Next.” Presenters included Vish Sankaran, Program Director for Federal Health Architecture; Jim Traficant, Vice President of Healthcare Solutions at Harris Corporation; David Riley with FHA CONNECT Initiative Lead; and Denny Porter, Executive in Residence at the Institute for e-Health Policy.
Health IT has been gaining traction in policy circles for good reason. The patient and provider benefits that could stem from increased adoption of health IT are substantial—from enhanced care to sizable cost-savings and job creation. As Traficant put it, “The health care system is the greatest economic threat to this generation…and we will continue to be at risk until we implement completely interoperable health IT standards.”
Much of the discussion was focused on the establishment of a nationwide health information network. Sankaran outlined three primary elements of such a network. They include making the process easy and standardized, ensuring that health IT is an integral part of all care being provided, and innovating once the proper amount of data has been collected. Porter highlighted the need for a Federal Health Record Gateway that would make electronic health records readily available online on a single secure portal.
As Traficant pointed out, a wide array of industries have already begun to experience the benefits of an interoperable network. Now it’s time for the health care industry, and the millions of American patients and providers who rely on it, to do the same.
Click below to watch full archived footage from NextGenWeb’s live stream of the event.
NextGenWeb recently conducted a podcast interview with Dr. Rebecca J. Zapatochny Rufo DNSc RN CCRN. Dr. Rufo is the Operations Director at the Chicago based Resurrection eICU® Program and the recipient of Recipient of 2008 VISICU IMPACT Award.
Resurrection eICU® Program activated 182 critical care beds across 7 acute care facilities and 1 LTCH with telemedicine technology. Resurrection eICU® Program incorporates a multi-professional, organizational driven model to integrate principals of clinical transformation, evidence based practice and risk reduction strategies to standardize and systemize quality patient care. Resurrection eICU® Program incorporates APACHE® and national benchmark reports to demonstrate the impact on patient quality.
Click here to listen to Dr. Rufo discuss how the Resurrection eICU® Program is utilizing broadband technologies to to improve the quality of critical care for the residents of Chicago.
NextGenWeb recently caught up with Neal Neuberger, President of Health Tech Strategies, to discuss his recent NOI Filing to the FCC per Docket 09-51regarding the National Broadband Plan. In Neal’s podcast Interview with NextGenWeb, Neal discusses the fundamental role broadband networks play in the life-saving broadband applications health care practitioners utilize to provide 21st century health care solutions.
Neal Neuberger is the President of Health Tech Strategies and was recently selected as the first executive director of the HIMSS Foundation’s Institute for e-Health Policy. The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Foundation launched the new Institute for e-Health Policy in May 2008 to provide critical educational opportunities in the Washington, D.C., area for public- and private-sector stakeholders who both make, and are impacted by, e-health policy decisions.
To listen to Neal’s Interview with NextGenWeb, click here
To read the full Health Tech Strategies NOI filing to the FCC, click here
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